Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-05-27

PLAYED "Rowena' in all the tableaux; a
tall, graceful blonde, with an air and man.
ner SO distinguished, that on entering a
room at any assembly there was always a
muTmur of "Who is she" Emma was a
piquant little thing, with look of ripe
peach; Ter cheeks were so downy, with a
rich color glowing through the olive tint.
Matilda was my especial favorite; and /,
who have always been an ardent admIrer of
beauty, would often gaze upon her in a
kind of wistful rapture. Bright, laughing,
and lovely, she was seldom ever still for
two consecutive moments. | have watch
ed her dip her head in basin of water,
and the rich, dark hair, wiz a tinge of
suburn, would emerge one dripping mass
of curls, which she tossed about with the
quiet contempt OF conscious beauty. Those
large, laughing brown eyes were always
sparkling with merriment; her mouth was
the nearest approach to a ripe cherry that
have ever yet seen, and her nose was Just
sufficiently retreusSe to give an expression
of archness to the face. Add to this the
exquisitely fair complexion that accompa-
nies auburn har-pale, except when emo
tion called the color to her face, or a kiss
pressed on her cheek gave it the appear
ance of a fresh rose-leaf-and you have a
lengthy but truthful description of nv
cousin Matilda. never saw any one half
so beautiful.
Last OF all there was Hilly; who, having
be en- handed over to an ancient aunt of her
fathers for a name, was christened by that
lady ''Hildegarde." Hilly was the baby, a
perfect imp of mischief, but with such a
way of throwing herself on ones protection
that she always came off as the injured
party. Very deep violet-eyes, with the
reddest of red lips, and the brightest of
complexion, and very brown hair, had my
little cousin Hildegarde.
Any one of those girls had sufficient at
fractions for half-a-dozen ordinary bellies;
then what was poor |, with my unfortunate
nose, to do among five Of them! Precisely
what did: feel like the beast, to which
they all played the part of Beauty, anG
wonder what was to be done with my nose.
Uncle Althorpe lived at some distance
from US, and one day, after had left
school, and considered myself young lady
received the following characteristic let
ter from NJ tilda:
"For goodness sake, Becky, Q had the
name of Rebecca added to my nose,) do
come and see US! l suppose you hadn't
the least idea where we had located for the
summer; but you can't think how delight
ful and romantic it is! | should scarcely
be more surprised if Noah's ark had BEEN
discovered and fitted UP fur US; but that
wouldn't be half SO charming as to be in
this old mansion. 1t is said to be haunted,
too! A queer old woman, Miss Eieanor
Pyott, who had out-lived all her family
owned this place, and died lately. A
nephew used to live with her, and people
supposed that the place would be his: but
they couldn't find any will, and all the con-
nections went 20 law about il. OF course
none of them could live in it until it was
settled to whom it belonged; so papa has
taken it for the summer, and here we are
all! Its the queerest place you ever saw;
do come at once. There is a portrait of
Miss Eleanor here. and it looks just like
you-she has the funniest nose!''
This is but an extract from my pretty
Cousins rather incoherent letter, and by
the time had finished the epistle | was
pretty well mystifed. But Uncle Alihorpe
soon made his appearance, on purpose, he
said. to escort me TO Pinehurst, and Hilly
sent me saucy message to "pack up my
nose without delay"
Twas not long in making preparations;
and with much curiosity to behold the old
mansion, set forth with Uncle AIthorpe.
81 suppose" said my uncle, when we
were comfortably settled in the ralwa,
carriage, that the girls have been fright
ening you with all sorts of stories about
the placer"
"No, sir" said, 81 am not easily fright
ened."
"No!" said my uncle, looking at me with
additional respect; "Well, have always
heard that a long nose indicated clear
head"
My poor nose again! Why couldn't he
let it alone!
"The girls are half beside themselves
with fear," he continued; "the-e is story
that the house is haunted; there's a walled
up room; gentleman once shut up his
daughter there for loving young officer;
and she walks about at night and all that!
Have frightened you!'
''Not in the least, sir; don't believe in
ghosts"
"That's a sensible grill" said my uncle,
emphatically; and he seemed to be consid-
eringF this, for he said very little more dur
ing the journey.
kept an eager lookout for glimpse of
the house; but it was nearly night when
we arrived at the station, and then my un-
! cle's carriage conveyed US to Pinehurst,
distance of two or three miles.
The carriage stopped at an ancient gale
way, and the first sight of the place filled
me with ecstacI. The house was entirely
out of sight, hidden by the trees, and as we
approached it through a noble avenue |
gloried in the dense retirement around US.
Once in the avenue, we seemed shut in
from the world; and the broad walks, the
sloping lawn, and the aristocratic silence,
were all exactly 10 my taste. had a pas
sion for mystery, and my uncle's summer
residence was exceedingly mysterious.
There was the house, and on the broad
steps stood the five Graces waiting to re-
ceive US. Oh, that grand old hall! 1t did
, my heart good to see it! Everything was
lofty and spacious, and as the old-fashionet
furn iture had been left undisturbed the