Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1857-11-12
FAD IE,7s
OR
A STORY OF A HAUNTED HOUSE.
BY HoLME LEE.
BY HoLME LEE.


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THE HOUSE IN NEYIL's COURT.
In one of the courts in the vicinity Of
Eversloy Minister, therelived many year,
ago all engraver, Nicholas Drew BY
name. He was quiet, inoffensive, old
man of retired habits, who minded his
own business, and was charitable ac-
cording to his means. He occupied
the whole Of the second floor of the
house, to which he assembled, not by the
common stairway, butbya fight of rude
wooden steps, which he had himselfc
structed beneath the centre window OF
the room where he worked at his craft.
The curious in such matters said that
Nicholas Drew's etchings ere unique
but the probability is, that they brought
him small gain;s for though individuals
were well inclined TO turn over the con-
tents Of his fohos, they were less dispos-
ed to pay the high prices, which the old
man set upon his works. He lived alone,
and seemingly quite contented with his
lot; but it was tantalizing mystery to
the people of the court how be used the
six rooms he rented; and though his APP
pearance was thst of meagre, nay, of
sordid poverty, the gossips presently con
cluded thathe possessed fabulous amount
of wealth hidden away in the locked
chambers. Close on this rumor follow
ed another, which. couple of centuries
before, would have consigned him speed
ily 10 either stake or gibber but which
now drew on him nothing mors terrible
than the iIl-coneesled dislike Of his
nsighbors, and the jeers OF theiittle chill
dren, who would have quiyered to their
shoe-tiesif he had but turned and scowl-
ed at them.
1t must be allowed that Nicholas did
not carry good introduction In his
face; it was u stern, grim, unkindly
countenance; not unlike the corbel-heads
BIZ the gateway of the court. His sharp
grey eyes peered anxiously from beneath
frowning grizzled brows, q dishevelled
beard lay outspread upon his breast, and
lank rusty hair curled down upon his
collar; he had restless choleric nostril
a high, fun bald forehead-the one com
mendable point of his ply siognomy-a
small nervous figure, Il rapid gait
When he went abroad his worn patched
clothing was always concealed beneath
a dusky tartan cloak. He generally
chose wet days or twilight for his ex,
cursions; and under the cloak was his
portfolio, with a corner sticking out be
fore and behind. His head was invari
ably covered with wide-fapped felt
hat, which served partially the purpose
of an umbrella, and hid all but the low.
err part of his face with it's patriarcha
sppendage In his right hand was grip
ped stoutstick, the very sight of which
was protection enough against the lit
tie mocking urchins in the street, who
with precocious bravado and pititulcow
ardice, would fling stone after hin
when he was quite out Of reach, and al
most out of sight If not pressed fol
time, poor Nicholas would sometimes
watch for the temporary absence OF his
small enemies, that he might evade then
attacks; for, if the truth must be tolC
thre was heart under the oldtart thai
shrank from this universal hatred, anc
not seldom a hot salt moisture under the
penthouse brow also. Some respecta
Bile people, passing the old man in the
street, would youchsate aim "A nod, " hicl
ne eagerly returned; he would have been
rtad - speak to them, but the opportu
nifty wss not given him; SO the poor en-
graver plodded on his silent and cheer
less way, scarcely marvelling what KEEP
everybody aloof from him, whilst h,
| longed more and more each day of hi
| life for friends and eompanionship.-
The fact was, he was clever, poor anC
needy; not desirable acquaintance, il
short
One snowy New Years eve, Nichola
crept forth in the darkness, with hi
portfolio under his arm, to pay visit t.
printseller in the Barbican, who haC
halt promised to buy an etching of th'
Chaptsr-House interior, which the Ell
craver had just finished. The wine
was very high, and the binding snow
flakes drove full in the old mans fac'
A. he turned his back on the Minister
and went down into FriarEate, but les
chilled than oriinary-perhaps becaus'
he had escaped his tormentors-anC
glowing moreover with hope of ulti
mate appreciation, he bore it with diff
Guilty, and strobe through the crispins
snow with quite light foot and almost
light heart.
1t is All impossibility to crush tn
elasticity out of some natures. MIN
men out of every ten would have col
lspsed utterly and misersbly under
1.-THE of the disappointments that Mich
olas Drew had borne cheerfully, sup
ported by very moderate daily poI
ton of coarse bread and the love of hi
i art.
i 1t did not take the old man quite hal
an hour to reach his destination; but I'll
print-seller's shop was already CLOSED
Nicholas knocked at the door for som
ten minutes in vain; but at last surly
voiced lad appeared, and said his maste
. had sc-e quests and would not be di