And, though he might deny it, not only was the Still, I had researched my host thoroughlyĪnd knew Amos Souder had a reputation for being both prosperous and miserly. A haze of white dust from the adjoining mill lay over everything like a second skin. The chamber was small and poorly furnished, lit by only a single guttering candle and reeking of cooking Like its owner, the room exhibited little Leather breeches, worn white cotton stockings and country-made shoes. He wore a purple osnaberg shirt, a tan jacket without sleeves, an old and grimy pair of His beady, close-set eyes looked out suspiciously over a pug nose from aįace equally freckled and pocked. Man of middle years, he wore a frizzy red beard. My wind-ravaged peruke as I took advantage of the opportunity to observe Souder and his quarters.

I did as he bade, removing my hat and smoothing

“Welcome to the house of Amos Souder, poor though it be.” Said, guiding me to a bench at a rough table. Past as he held the door against the gale. “Bless you, brother,” I said, pushing my way Him all the way to Hell if it wouldn’t have taken me, too. Burn in Hell,ĭamn you, I thought, gritting my teeth and wincing at the bite of the cold. The eye scrutinized me once more as the windĬlutched at my coat tails and threatened to tear my hat from my head. The eye looked me up and down and the voice Night,” I answered, shivering and drawing my threadbare coat around me. My voice was lost in the howl of the wind as I repeated my assault on the door, pummeling with my fists and kickingĪsked as the door creaked open a crack and a rheumy eye peered out. “For the love of God, man, have mercy and open up!” Screamed down the hollow and flung itself against my back again. Pressing my body to the door, I pounded with both fists as the wind

The Accidental Spy by J.R. Lindermuth