The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-02-05
CHAPTER I.-Tnn NOCTURNAL vrsr.

CHAPTER I--frnE NOCTURNAL ylsIr l.a
Whence is lha, knocsingS
How is't with me when every sound appals meT
@~ hear knocking
In the south entry Iark !--more knocking sr
.r-s .--.a -ts.ts ~ 4. siAKEsr4aEr.
Hurricane Hall is a large old family mansion built of
dark red sandstone in of the loneest and widest of
the mountain regions of Virginia "a
The estate is surrounded three sides by range Of
steep gray rocks spiked with clumps dark evegeens
and called, from its horseshoe form, the Devils Hoof
On the iotrth side the ground gradually descends in
broken rock and barren soil to the edge of the wild
tain stream known the Devils Run.
When storms and floods high the loud roaring of
the wind through the wild mountain gorges and the ter
rifle raging of the torrent its rocky course gave to
this savage locality its ill-omened names of Devils Hoof
Devils Run and Hurricane Hall.
Major Ira Warield, the lonely proprietor of the hall,
was veteran officer who, in disgust at what he sup
posed to be ill-requited services had retired from
public life to spend the evening of his vigorous age on
this his pamonia estate. Here he lived in sccluson,
with his od-fashoned housekeeper, Mrs. Condiment,
and his old family servants and his fayore dogs and
horses Here his mornings usually spent in the
chase in which he excellod, and his afternoons and
evenings occupied in small convvia suppers
among his few chosen companions of the chase the
bottle.
In person Major Warfeld was tall and strongly built,
reminding one of some old ironmbed Douglas of the
olden time His features were large and harsh his
complexion dark red that of bronzcd by long
posure and flushed with strong drink. His fierce, dark
that, when gathered into frown, reminded one of
thunder cloud the flashing obs beneath them did of
lightning. His hard, harsh face surrounded by a
thick growth of iron gray hair and beard that met be-
meath his chin His usual habit black cloth coat,
crimson vest black leather breechcs, long black yarn
stockings, fastened at the knees and morocco slippers,
with silver buttons. ..r
In character Major Warfed was arrogant dominoerng
and violent equally loved and feared by his faithful
old family at dislikcd and dreaded by his
neghbors and acqraintances abroad who, partly from
bis house and partly from his character, fixed upon him
the appropriate nickname of OLD HURRIcANE.
There was, however, other ground of dislike besides
that of his arrogant mind, violent temper and domineer-
ing habits. Old Hurricane said to be old bache-
oI, yet whispered that there in obscure
part of the world, hidden away from human sight, de-
serted wife and child poor forom and heartbroken. 1t
further whispered that the elder brother OF Ira War
field had mysteriously disappeared and not without
suspicion of foul play the part Of the only person In
the world who had strong interest in his tahing off
However these things might be, it known for GER
tany that Old Hurricane had only sister, widowed
sick and poor, who with hor sou dragged on wreched
life Of requited toll pivation and painful in
trinity In distant city, unaidcd uusought and uncaed
for by her cruel brother. 2 'a#. stAE" 5ath Ea
1t the night Of the last day of October ls45 The
evening had closed in very dark and gloomy. About
dusk the wind in the northwest driving up
OF lcaden-hued clouds and in few minutes the ground
was covered deep with snow, and the airwas filled with
driving slcet. .5.".>.. aa
AS this was All Half5w Eve, the dreadful incemcncy
Of the weather did not prevent the negroes of Huu
Hall from ayailng themselves of their capricious
old MASTER permission, aud going of in body to banjo
breakdown held in the negro quarters of their next
neighhor, t~
Upon this evening, then, there left at Hurricane
He'll only Major Warfcld Mrs Condiment his little old
houseSeeper, and Wool his body servant.
Early in the evening the old hall shut up closely
to keep out as much possible the sound of the storm
that roafed through the mountain chasms and cannon
AIDED the wallis of the house if determined to force an
entrance As soon as she had seen that all was safe,
Mrs. Condiment went to bed and went to Sleep
1t was about ten O'Clock that night that Old Hurr
cane, well wrapped up In his quilted flannel dressing
gown, sat in his well padded easy chair before warm
and bright fire. taking his comfort in his COM
Portable bedroom This the hour of the contest en-
joyment to the sefndugent old Sybarite who dearly
loved his Very comfortable was old Hurri
and he toasted his and slipped his punch
while his black servant Wool applied the warming pan
to his cozy couch he fairly hugged himself for enjoy
ment and declared that nothing under heaven would OF
could tempt him TO leave that room and that house and
go out into that storm on that night Just he had
to this emphatic determination he was startled by
violent ringing of the door.bcll Ordering Wool to go
and see what the matter he hastily aayed himself
in his sleeping habiliments and jumped inta bsd de-
ternined not to be nruded upon o. be called out of
his room ON any account whatever ! a.. asts. El
AT this moment Wool reappcarea. ID. 30 s.srssr
"Shut the door, you villain ! Do you intend to stand
there holding it open me all nghtr' vocferaed tho
old man. ersNu S'Fpe VI
Wool hastily closed the offending poysals and hurried
Well sis, who was II rung the bell ~ t.I.
Sar de Reverend Mr. Parson Goodwin and he say
how he must see you yourself personally, alone !"
" Sec me, YOU villain Didn't you tell him that had
ratiredg' E - Us aF kfrT
- Yes, Marse tell him how you were frons &, bed
and asleep morne hour ago, and he ordored to
come wake you up, and say how ii were matter o life
and death 4"
" Lie and DEATH What have / to do with life and
dcatla won't stir yIf the parson wants to he
will have to come up here and me in bed
" Mos fetch him reverence up, sir ~ e.r F
Yes, wouldn't get up and go down 90 see--Wasl- |
the door, you rascal III throw the
bootjack at your wooden head ~ 4af rs
Wool obcyed with alacrity and in time to escape the
threatened missile.
After absence of few minutes, he heard re- |
turning, attending upon the footsteps Of another And
the next minute he entored, ushering in the Rev Mr.
Goodwin, the parish minister OF Bethlehem st Marys.
e How do you do How DO you do Glad tosecyou |
sir glad to sceyou though obliged 10 receive you in
bed laet is,rl saagh cd with this severe change
af weather. and took warm ncgus and went to bed
sweat It ol You II excuse me Wool draw that easy
chair ap 10 my bedside for worthy Mr. Goodwin, and
bring him glass of warm ncgus. 1t viii do him good
after his cold ride"