The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-02-15
CHAPTER l.

DI EMMA u. Il. N. SOUVn WOUln
AUrnoR or FEE BRIDE or An EVENING TIL
DEsERrED WIFI" ETC, Fro, INC.
CHAPTER
TAs Nocturnal Visit.
Wheucs 10 that knocking7
How ist with me when every sound
appals me?
hear knocking
In the south entry Hark i-more knock
ingl
SHAKssPRARk
Hurricane Hall is large old family man
sion, built of dark red sandstone, in one oil
the lonliest and widest Of the mountain re.
gions Of Virginia
The estate 10 surrounded on three sides by
Q range OF steep, gray rocks, spiked with
eldmps of dark ever-greens, and called, from
il horseshos form, the Devils Hoof
On the fourth side the ground gradually
descands in broken rock and barren soil to
the edge Of the wild mountain stream known
- the Devils Run
When storms and foods 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 i'll omened names of
Devils Hoof, DEVILS Run and Hurricane
Hall.
Major Ira Warfeld, the lonely propri etor
Of the Hall, was veteran officer, who in
dlagust at what he supposed to be ill-requit-
81 services, had retired from public life to
spend the evening Of his vigorous age on
this his patrimonial estate. Here he lived in
seclusion, with his old-fashIoned housekeep
er, Mrs. Condiment, his old family servants
and his fayorite dogs and horses Here his
mornings were usually spent in the chase
in which he excelled, and his afternoons and
evenings were occupied in small conyiyial
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 complexion
dark red, as that Of one bronzed by long ex-
posure and flushed with strong drink. His
fery, dark gray eyes were surmounted Nv
thick, heavy black brows, that, when gath
cred into a frJwn, reminded one of thunder
cloud, az the flashing orbs beneath them did
Of lightning. His hard, harsh face was sur
rounded bya thick growth of iron gray hair
and beard that met beneath his chin. His
usual habit was black cloth coat. crimson
vest black leather breeches, long, black yarn
stockings fastened at the knees, and moroc.
60 slippers witk silver buttons
10 character Major Warfeld was arrogant,
domineering and violent-equally loved and
feared by his faithful old family servants at
home-disliked and dreaded by his neigh
bors and acquaintance abroad, who partly
from his house and partly from bis character
liked upon him the appropriate nickname of
Old Hurricane
There was, however, other ground of dis
like besides that of his arrogant mind, VIC
lent temper and domneering habits. Old
Hurricane was said to be an old bachelor.
yet rumor whispered that there was in some
obscure part office world hidden away from
human sight, deserted wife and child Door;
foriorn and heartbroken. 1t was further
whispered that the elder brother of Ira War
field had mysteriously disappeared, and not
without some suspicion of foul play on the
part OF the only person in the world who had
had strong interest in his taking off,
However these things might be, it was
known for certainty that Old Hurricane
had an only sister, widowed, sick and poor,
who with her son dragged on a wretched life
OF i'll requitted toll, severe privation and
painful infrmity, in distant city, unaided,
unsought and uncared for by der cruel
brother.
1t was the night orrhe last day of October,
lS45. The evening had closed in very dark
and gloomy About dusk the wind arose in
the northwest, driving up masses of leaden
hued clouds, and in few minutes the ground
was covered with snow, and the air was
filed with driving sleet
As this was All Hallow Eve, the dreadful
inclemency of the weather did not prevent
the negroes of Hurricane Hall from availing
themselves OF their capriclous old master |
permission, and going Of in body to banjo
breakdown held in the negro quarters Of
their next neighbor.
Upon this evening, then, there was left at
Hurricane Hall only Major Warfield, Mrs.
Condiment, his little old housekeeper, and |
WOOL his body servant
Early in the evening the old hall was shut
up closely, to keep out as much as possible
the sound OF the storm that roared through |
the mountain chasms and canonaded the |
walls Of the house rs if determined to force
IN entrance. As soon as she had seen that
al was safe, MIRA Condiment went to bed
and went to sleep
II was about ten o'clock that night that
Old Hurricane, well wrapped in his quilted
dannel dressing gown, sat in his easy chair
before warm and bright FIRE, taking his
comfort in his own most comfortable bed
room. This was the hour of the contest
enjoyment to the self indulgent old Sy barite,
who dearly loved his own ease Very CON-
ortable WAS Old Hurricane; and as he
Eossed his feet and slipped his punch, while
MS black servant, Wool applied the warming
pan to his coy couch, he fairly Rugged him
'eif for enjoyment and declared that moth
ng under heaven would or could tempt him
70 leave that room and that house and 90
,ut into that storm on that night. just as
be had come to this emphatic determination
,e was startled by violent ringing Of the
aoor bell Ordering Wool to 20 and see
THAT was the matter, he hastily arrayed
himself IN bis sleeping habilimerss and
1mped into bed determined not to be in
ruded upon or 10 be called out Of his room
IN any account whatever
At this moment Wool reappeared.
Shut the door You william! DO you intend
0 stand there holding it open ON me all
light vociferated the old man. +
Wool hastily closed the offending portals,
nd hurried 10 his master side.
ellr
ssr, de Reverend Mr. Parson Goodwin.
nd he say how be must see you yourself |
ersonally, alone!
See me, Jon villainl Didn't you tell him | !
hat md retired r ,
Yes, narse, tell him how you were gone !
bed and asleep morne'n nm hour ago and
9 oruered me u come wake You up, and say !
on u we're matter o lite and death i /.
L'fe asd DEATH What have 70 do with i
70 and death | WONT stir | Ifthe parson :
ants 70 see me he viii have to come mn :
IRE and see me in bed
Mus ! fetch him fsversass ND, sarY
+, Yea vouldn't get up and 70 down to :
g. Arlington shut the door you rascal G
IN throw The boojask q your wooden /,
,adr
Wool obeyed with alacrisy and in tine b j,
cape the threatened missile. IN
After an absence Of few minutes he was il
'ssd retaining, attending apon the footsteps b
Another. And the next minute be entered,
herring ia the Rev Mr. Good rim khn arish A.