Year: 1860

lie happened ono time that in travelling
across tract of country where had busi-
ness, | got benightcd, and about o'clock,
my horse and myself being tired and pretty
nearly worn out, drew rein before the door
of u comfortable looking farmhouse, and
dismounting, knocked Mt the door with the
handle OF my whip. 1t was opened by a lit
tic girl who stood in the doorway, holding a
candle in one hand, and keeping back her
thick, curly hair with the other, while she
looked at meihalf shy, as If demanding my
business.


MY DEAR | answered TO that questioning
look, is there any one in the house beside
younelfg


Yes, there is she answered; father and
mother. and the boys


We'll, ask your father to come here mo-
ment, | want to speak to him.


She retreated, and entered the room be-
hind her, and in about half minute the
farmer came out. made known my busi-
ncss, explained that had been oycrtaken by
the night, that my destination was several
miles distant, and that both my horse and
mysel were unfit for further travelling till
We had procured food and rest.


With the hospitality common to all farm
ers, especially American ones, my host for
the night hade me welcome, conducted me
into a large kitchen, with u floor 80 white
that YOU inyoluntarily pitied the hands and
arms that had brought 1t into such a state
of cleanliness, and badc me seat myself be-
tore the blazing Gro while supper was being
cot ready; and then, not forgetting my
horse, he told one Of the boys to take him to
the stable and feed him.


After supper, Us felt unusually tired, |
asked to be shown to the place where was
to pass the night, and was conducted to a
comfortable room with dovny bed, white
counterpane aud curtains, upon the second
foar, by my host himself, who, after bidding
me good night, left the candle with me and
departed, closing the door after him.


Tired and sleepy rs was, hurriedly un-
dressed, went to bed, and in five minutes was
soundly sleeping. A grinding, grating sound
awoke me-at what time don't know-but
the moon, which did not rise till very late,
was fully up, its bright rays streaming in
through the window, from which had pur-
poscly looped back the curtain. that the first
streak OF daylight might wake me, as was
anxious to proceed on my way. There sit
ting full in the moonlight, was man with
a long carving knife in his hand, which he
was lcisurely sharpening with a piece of
grindstone, and which now perceived made
the sound that had awakened me. thought
surely that was dreaming; or, If was
awake, what in the name Of heaven meant
what | saw? And still. the man lcisurely
ground tho blade of the knife, and in n per-
feet stupor of amazement lay perfectly quiz
ct with wide open eyes looking at him.


In few minutes he stopped grinding, and
passing his finger carefully along the edge Of
the knife, he nodded and shook his head
knowingly, to intimate to himself that he
had brought the blade to proper degree OF
sharpness. My blood ran cold; kind OF
panic seized me when saw that action, and
the cool calculating smile with which he held
the knife up between him and the moonlight
looking at 1t with the air Of = connoiseur.-
ihen nc ieisarely got up, stepped over to the
table where len the candlestick, ard began
looking around for something's match l
coniccturcd.


While his hack was turned. the idea OF
slipping from the bed and boltiny out at the
door suggested itself to me: but before had
time TO act upon il, tho match was found,
and holding the candle in one hand, the