Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-02-11

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w SHAKESPEARE.
Hurricane Hall is large old family
mansion, built of dark, red sandstone, in one
of the lonelest and widest Of the noun
tain regions OF Virginia.
The estate is surrounded on three sides
by range Of steep, gray rocks, spiked with
clumps of dark evergreens, and called, from
its horseshoe form, the Devils Hoof.
On the fourth side the ground gradually
descends in broken rock and barren soil TO
the edge of the wild mountain stream known
as the Devils Run.
When storms and floods were high, the
loud roaring of the wind through the wild
mountain gorges, and the terrific raging Of
the torrent over its rocky course, gave to
this savage locality its ill-omened names of
Devils Hoof Devils Run and Hurricane
Hall.
Major Ira Warfield, the lonely proprie-
tor of the Hall, was veteran officer, who,
in disgust at what he supposed to be Hire
Quilted services, had retired from public Life
to spend the evening of his vigorous age
or this his patrimonial estate. Here he
lived in seclusion, with his old-fashioned
housekeeper, Mrs. Condiment, and his old
family servants and his favorite dogs and
horses. Here his mornings were usually
spent in the chase, in which he excelled,
and his afternoons and evenings were occu-
pied in small convivial suppers among his
few chosen companions of the chase or the
bottle.
In person Major Warfeld was tall and
strongly built, reminding one of some old
iron-limbed Douglas Of the olden time.
His features were large and harsh; his
complexion dark red, as that of one bronzed
by long exposure and flushed with strong
drink. His fierce, dark gray eyes were
surmounted by thick, heavy black brows,
that, when gather ed into frown, reminded
one of thunder cloud, as the flashing orbS
beneath them did Of lightning. His hard,
harsh face was surrounded by thick growth
of iron-gray hair and beard that met be-
meath his chin. His usual habit was black
cloth coat, crimson vest, black leather
breeches, long, black yarn stockings. fasten-
ed at the knees, and morocco slippers with
silver buttons.
In character Major Warfield was AFRO.
giant, domineering and vioent--equally
loved and feared by his faithful old family
servants at home-disliked and dreaded by
his neighbors and acquaintance abroad
who, partly from his house and partly from
his character, fixed upon him the appro-
pirate nickname of OLD HURRICANE.
There was, however, other ground OF
dislike besides that of his arrogant mind
violent temper and domineering habits. Old
hurricane was said 10 be an old bachelor
YET rumor whispered that there was in some
obscure part of the world, hidden away
from human sight, deserted wife and child
poor, forlorn and heartbroken. Ii was fur.
tller whispered that the elder brother of Ira
Wariield had mysteriously disappeared, and
not without some suspicion of foul play on
the part of the only person in the world
who had strong interest in his "takine
off,. However these things might be, il
was known for a certainty that Old Hurri
cane had an only sister, widowed, sick and
poor, who with her son dragged on a wretch
cd life of ill-reauited toll, severe privatioi
and painful infrmity, in distant city, un
aided, unsought and uncared for by he
eru,l brother.
IL was the night Of the last day of Octo
Der, 1915. The evening had closed in yer,
dark and gloomy. About dusk the win
aruse in the northwest, driving up masses G
leaden hued clouds, and in few minute
the ground was covered deep with snow
and the air was filled with driving sleet
As this was All Hallow Eve, the dread
full inclemency of the weather did not pre-
vent the negroes of Hurricane Hall from
availng themselves OF their capricious oil
masters permission, and going off in
body to banjo breakdown held in the ne
gro quarters of their next neighbor.
Upon this evening, then, there was lei
at Hurricane Hall only Major Warfiel,
Mrs. Condiment, his little old housekeepel
and Wool, his body servant
Early in the evening the old hall wa
shut up closely, TO keep out as much as DO:
sible the sound of the storm that roare
through the mountain chasms and cannon
AIDED the walls of the house as if determr
ed to force an entrance. As soon as sh
had seen that all was safe, Mrs. Condimen
went TO bed and went to sleep.
1t was about ten o'clock that night tina
Old Hurricane, well wrapped up in his quill
ed flannel dressing gown, sat in his we
padded easy chair before warm and brisl
fire, taking his comfort in his own most con
Portable bedroom. This was the hour ,
the contest enjoyment to the self-indulger
old Sybarite, who dearly loved his own cas-,
Very comfortable was Old Hurricane an
as he toasted his feet and slipped bis puncl
while his black servant, Wool, applied tn
warming-pan to his coy couch, he fairl
Rugged himself for enjoyment, and declare
that nothing under heaven would or couI
tempt him TO leave that room and that hou.
and 20 out into that storm on that nigh
just as he had come to this emphatic dete
Inination he was startled by violent rim.
ing OF the door-bell. Ordering WOOL to q
and see what was the matter, he hastily a
rayed himself in his sleeping habilimen
and jumped into bed, determined not to
intruded upon, or 10 be called out of Ia
room on any account whatever.
AT this moment Wool reappeared.
@Shut the door, you villain Do YOU il
lind 20 stand there holding n ora, o., -,