"But the old codger who is dead, though a queer dick was a noted
personage in these parts, and not a man, woman or child, who could
find a horse, mule or donkey, but what availed himself of the
privilege. Even the doctor's spavined mare was pressed into service,
though she halts on one leg and stops to get her breath half a dozen
times in going up one short hill. You will have to wait for the
stage, sir."
"But I am in a hurry," said I as I saw Mr. Blake enter. "I have
business in Melville tonight, and I would pay anything in reason to
get there."
But the landlord only shook his head; and drawing back with the air of
an abused man, I took up my stand in the doorway where I could hear
the same colloquy entered into with Mr. Blake, with the same
unsatisfactory termination. He did not take it quite as calmly as I
did, though he was of too reserved a nature to display much emotion
over anything. The prospect of a long tedious evening spent in a
country hotel seemed almost unendurable to him, but he finally
succumbed to the force of circumstances, as indeed he seemed obliged
to do, and partaking of such refreshment as the rather poorly managed
hotel afforded, retired without ceremony to his room, from which he
did not emerge again till next morning. In all this he had somehow
managed not to give his name; and by means of some inquiries I
succeeded in making that evening, I found his person was unknown in
the town.
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