The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-08-25
The DAILY DISPATCH.
MIGHT INA CHURCH..


ssaying ior souae months in the village Of. in
Cumoerland the place itself is small but the church
- large uo,hic structure dimly lighted by color
su glass windows, and enriched by splendid monu-
mems OF the iormer lords of the manor was
sent for one evening to visit sick friend and left
woru with my family, that If | found her worse. I
should probably pass the night with her. She was.
however, much better than / had anticipated, and
aiter remaining an hour with her prepared to re-
turn home. had to pass a meadow adioil,inp the
cnurch-yard, and, as heavy shower of rain had
falien, the grass was wet; the chtrch-doors were
open for the purpose cleaning it for the next day
wnieh was sunday, and, by walking through the
church should avoid the inconvenience of the
damp path. The pew-opener, who was coming
out let me In at the door, and shut it after her te
Ing me that should find the door at the other end
open, as some one was still employed there. As
passed through, stopped for a moment to look at
the effect of the colored shadows from the window
ON one of the monuments, and the appearance of it
was so brilliant and SO beautiful, that remained
several minutes before it. wrapt in admiration and
was only reused from my contemplation by the
noise fthe door violently closing and shutting out
my retreat
acknowledge that at that moment suffered ex-
IRENE agitation; my heart beat audiby and felt as
II the power of breathing had left me- knew there
was no possibility OF making myself heard, and
that mad no prospect but that of passing the night
Where 1 Yves. In little time, however. reason
came TO my aid; reflected that was in no real
danger; the weather was warm, and had no rea-
ing one night IN the church. no one would be made
uneasy by my absence from home, for my family
We're prepared to expect it, and, in short, argued
with myself on the folly of my tear and in some de-
gree succeeded in removing it. The next consid.
eration was, IN what part OF the church should en-
deavor to rest, and fixed on the large seat be-
longing to the lords of the manor 1t was spacious
square pew, with carpet on the foor well-stutfed
cushions on the seats, and rloreen curtains draw
ing all round it; comfortable resting place might
there. | Hmm to
pitch OF philanthropic heroism by wishing that
hundreds OF poor creatures, who were wanderers
on the earth, were lodged as well as was
had only one objection to this seat and that ap-
peared TO me so very puerile and absurd, that
would not permit it to have any effect on me: the
front OF the pew was Immediately opposite to
large monumental tomb erected to the memory of
Slr William Herbert the last of the family who had
resided on their manorial estate in the neighbor-
hood; and Of this Sir William had, when / first
came 10 the village heard story that now in spite
Of myself would recur to my mind
Soon after my arrival, had observed the desert
ed and dllapidated appearance OF the manor house
and garden the latter wild and running to ruin
through neglect; nettles and weeds obcsured the
once beautiful walks and parterres of flowers: the
vases and images were detaced and overthrown;
the spacious fsh-ponds were chotzed with mud and
covered with the rank luxuriance of the water
plants and the adjoining park had been lie. to
farmer, who had converted the whole TO the purpo-
ses Of agriculture. The house exhibited the same
symptoms of neglect: the farmers family inhabited
one Wing-but in the rest of the house the win
dows had been bricked up-the whole conveyed
the idea OF decay and the swallows and other birds
had taken undlsurbed possession OF the turrets and
the ehimneytops. Some OF the great rooms were
converted into granariea, and the principal hall
was made receptacle for the farmers carts &c
| expressed curiosity to know the cause WHY so
magnificent a residence should have been so aban.
doned, and the farmer to whom | applied for in.
iormalo1 told me that the last resilient possessor
n Hnrb
been twice let TO occasional inhabitants but that
neither of the families had STAYED more than a few
nights: and that the present owner had given or
ders to dispose of the grounds on lease to anv of
the neighboring farmers, and to let the house be
included in the agreement with them. 81 am sur
prised, said l. that SO lovely spot should not
have attracted the attention OF some one who would
have rescued it from its present state and wonder
that its owner should have little taste as thus to
abandon delightful possession"
"Why, madam replied the farmer, "it is long
story, and it happened great many years ago. but
as you seem curious IL you will walk in and rest
yourself, will tell you all about it,"
"It was before my time, for | was little boy
when Sir William died, but my father was his
huntsman and lived at the manor-house, and have
heard all the particulars often enough from him.
This Sir William, madam was fine portly gentle
man as ever you saw, and the ladies' all round adj
mired him, and he might have chosen a wife from
any of the great families in the neighbornood and
he was very rich, and was come of very ancient
and great family himself but somehow, as have
heard my father say, he was never for goed he had
always hard and cruel heart: when he was a
child. II was his delight to torture flies and worms
and he would take the young birds from the nests
and torment them to enjoy the misery of the old
ones and when he grew to be man, all his delight
was III badger-baiting cock-hghting or any sport
that would enable him to indulge his cruel nature
. He was also very fond of matching dogs to fight
and ne Kept bulldogs that were the terror of the
neighbo! hood He had one, IN particular, which
was reckoned to have more courage than any dog
that had been in this country, and he had
gained Sir William great deal OF money by the
wagers that he had laid on him. One day, neigh
boring gentleman, who had long been sort of
rival to Sir William in every way boasted at pub
lie dinner, thathe had procured dog that he would
match against his, which was now considered al
most invincible Sir William accepted the offer and
laid very large of money on his dog and day
was liked and many of the neighhoring gentle
men Were invited to see the sport, as they called it,
The dogs were set at each other, and more obsi-
nate fight had never been seen: they were both crea
lures Of wonderful strength and power and both
staunch in their way. The contest lasted very long
and the poor bruteS were excited by their cruel
masters to continue ii, though they had hardly
strength let TO crawl 10 each other At last the vic
tory was decided; Sir Williams dog was complete
ly exhausted and lay bleeding and breathless the
ground and effort could induce him to return to
the attack, the other dog was declared the conquer
or, and xas carried of amidst shouts of triumph
from the 4lnan brutes who had witnessed his pro-
wess. My .ather, who was present, said he turned
towards Sir William at that moment and was ter
rified at his countenance: he looked almost mad
with rage and disappointment his face was swollen
and black with passion, and his eyes seemed burst
ing from their sockets He took from one OF his
attendants loaded hunting and called to the
miserable dog TO come to him. The wretched ami
NAL heard the voice of his master, and though near
ly blind and hardly able to drag himself the
floor he yet erawled to his foot and licked the hand
that was extended to seize him. My father. ma
dam, could never tell the story without shudder
of horror but Sir william held the animal fast in
one hand while with the other he fogged him with
the hunting whip, which he never let go, till the
miserable creature had breathed his last in agony
Several gentlemen who stood round and cried
shame on him, had made inefectual attempts to
stop his cruel arm but he infurated; he foam
ed at the mouth with rage; at the moment when the
dog had received his last stroke OF them caught
his arm to stop him. Sir William turned round 10
make deadly blow at him with the butt end ofthe
whip, when. In one moment, the blood gushed from
his mouth. nose and ears, IN continued torrent
He tell TO the EARTH never to rise from it more IL
wing man, but there he lay swollen and discoior-
ed corpse Ia his fury he had burst blood vessel,
and his life and his cruelties ended together
sThe title and estate went to a gentleman who
was second or third cousin, and he lived some
where in ereign parts, as his wife not IN good
health, and was not able TO bear the changeaDle
weather in England the house Vas amer whlie
let TO noblenan's family, but they ohiy stayed
two days, and were OF the third morning. sone cay,
becase my lady did not like the sight oi tne Deak
moEntains; but others said, thar the family had al
hpaff 4lnFynad midnight ana n03Cuy