The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-11-19

.
ing out into words indicating his dis
pleasure and anger The old woman's
groans were succeeded by exclamations,
her eXclamatons by broken words, and
these in turn by beseeching appeals that
"Massa Arthur" would Immediately break
off the match, and give up all thoughts of
a union with any one of the family of
Hairston.
At frst the young man was too angry,
and, indeed, too much astonished to reply
to the old woman. He soon reflected,
however, that Aunt Dilsy had taken some
odd notion into her head, after fashion
not uncommon with old negresses; and
the result of these reflections was, aealm
request thet the aged woman would in
form him why it was ill-advised in him to
marry one of the Hairston family. AZ
ter plentiful addition of EXPLANATIONS,
groans, and exhibitions Of grief, the old
woman proceeded to account for her emo
ton and those mysterious eXclamations
which had excited so much astonishment
| in her auditor. q,
1t is not necessary to dwell upon the
family legend which the old woman re-
lated with many palsied shakes of the
head and evidences of no common agi-
tation. The result viii exhibit the nature
of her communication. 1t is enough to
say in this place, that an hour after his
entrance into the cabin, young Hether-
ington issued from the low doorway, pale
and Silent, but with sarcastic sneer upon
his firm lip.
"Blood!o he mutteced, disdainfully
smiling, ga drop Of blood Absurd and
yet must be about to grow crazy like
this old woman; for 1 know not what
demon whispers to me, there IS truth en-
this acar,ang! Blood the fate Of the
HetAeriagton's! Why, it is absolutely silly!
: and silliest Of all is it, that |, man OF
r trained mind, incredulous, no child to be
: frightened by bugbears of the imagina'
; ton. should for an instant entertain this
: foolish thought A drop of blood te
z fright me! Bah I'll go cover my head
: with blanket and cry myself asleep"
1 AS the young man finished his brie
: solilouuy he entered the doorway of. the
n hall, and passed into the great dining
e room.
d AS he placed his foot upon the thresh
s old, he saw cid Calvert disappear ilastil.
= through a side door, and at the same in
e., staat his,.e .euieis-eys- discovered a yibratio
d in the frame of his grandfather's portrai
n hanging near the eastern window %
:. -" What's this!p he cried, "Calvert
" Come back !.what is this ?'' hea 3a
dl Old Calvert appeared at the door, so
,e emn and grave. His master demande
7el the reason of his abrupt withdrawal trol
is the apartment. The old negro COOL
lie replied that he had just finished putin
lyl the silver int the closet by the chimney.
&c ..By the chimney ? The closetW r.
ne peated the young man gloomily. I" Nc
ct we're the length of the whole apartmeI
from the chimney, and in the second pia'
a here is the key of the silver closet
r. The old negro looked confused for
rt moment, then this expression was +
in placed by one of dogged and sullen 4
ID, lence, so to speak His only reply. VIII
n young Hetherington again demanded
. explanation of his extraordinary has
nd was an iutimation that if 'Massa Arthu
er, thought old Calvert was dishonest 1t W
mt ..ftnore'n old massa1iever had, land th
om the white-haired steward calmly wit
ast drew. u tLj I'll saA"
he The young man followed him with
id- eyes Int said nothing. He saw that
90. could extract no further communicate
NY from the negro. He determined, inste
Nat of attempting an exaction OF authorl
eht to Investigate for himself.
e's He accordingly went and turned
Los KEYS in the locks of both doors, then
'io, proceeded toward the east window, a
,au os mounting upon a tall chair, stood bene
~ yes the portrait of his grandfather. 1t r
'ce' resented the friend of Lord Baltimore
p.:s mature age, clad in steel armlets, Q
III which fell a profusion of lace, vel
'eie purpoint, and gold-aowered. waistct
The hair was long, curling, and powder
that most probably peruke; and the cou'
am nance wore an expression of sternness
lave cloom, strkingly in accordance with
lrse. distinguishing trait of the young
NJ himself
- Young Hetherington scarcely best
ed a second look upon the portrait,
,ns, raised the heavy frame from the wall;
..n ie.' was rewarded by discovering small p
,,ss ,s"' in the carved oak. The steel spring
.n,a ..' which this hidden closet opened, stil
;pa ;p.', :. brated family, with low singing n
n. no showing that the door had been rece
~" ,.s lclosed. q - .'
lne The ardent and burning eyes OF
~ :, sne Young gentleman sought long and VI
'n'an for the opening spring. His eager nm
0uhs 0tun btrayersed every inch of the woodv
Tue .l5 without discovering the clue He me
essu { - led upon the projection in the walnsco
= = INC ~ sustaining the backs of the great ca
and sought again, pushing the great
once trait aside until it hung in pos
r in nearly horizontal. 1t was all in vain
ston- With his brow covered by a cold s.
l,al I. g, rh 0.,lI Ipr, Il