Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-02-12

In the south entryl Hark i-nore knocking
Hurricane Hall is a large oldfamily mansion,
built Of dark, red sandstone, in one of the lone
lest and widest of the mountain regions of Vir-
ginis.
The estate is surrounded on three sides by a
range of steep, gray rocks, spiked with clumps
of dark evergreens, and called, from its ho.se-
shoe form, the Devils Hoof
On the fourth side the ground gradually de-
scends in broken rock and barren soil to the edge
of the wild mountain stream known as the
Devils Run.
When the storms snd floods were high, the
loud rosrng Of the wind through the wild noun
tain gorges, and the terrific raging of the torrent
over its rocky course, gave to this savage local
ity its i'll omened names of Devils Hoof, Devils
Run and H lrricane Hall
Major Ira War6eld, the lonely proprietor Of
the ball, was q veteran officer, who, In disgust
at what he supposed to be ill-requited services,
had retired from public life to spend the evening
of his vigorous age on this his patrimonial es-
tate. Here he lived in seclusion, with his old
fashioned housekeeper, Mrs. Condiment, and
his old family servants and his fayorte dogs and
horses. Here bis mornings were usually spent
in the chase, in which he exeelled, and his af-
tenoons and evenings were occupied in small
panions of the chase or the bottle.
In person Major " arield Was tall and strong
ly built, reminding one of some old iron-hmbed
Douglas of the olden time. His features were
large and harsh; his complexion dark red. as
that of one bronzed by long exposure and flush
= ed with strong drink. His fierce, dark gray
eyes were surmounted by thick, heavy black
hrcws, that, when gathered into frown, re-
minded one Of thunder cloud, as the flashing
IL. I.ft b,-d
harsh face was surrounded by 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 mo-
rocco slippers with silver buttons.
In character Major Warfeld was arrogant
domineering and violent-equally loved and
feared by his faithful old family servants al
home disliked and dreaded BY his neighbors
and aequaintances abroad, who, partly from his
character, fixed upon him the appropriate nick
name of OLD HURRICANE.
There was, however, other ground of dislike
besides that of his arrogant mind, violent tenn
per and domineering habits. Old Hurricane
was said to be an old bachelor, yet rumor whis
pered that there was in some obscure part of thC
world, hidden away from human sight, de
serted wife and child, poor, forlorn and heart
broken. 1t was further whispered that the ED
er brother of Ira War6eld had mysteriously dis
appeared, and not without some suspicion o
foul play on the part Of the only person in the
world who had strong interest in his 'taking
off. However these things might be, it was
known for a certainty that Old Hurricane had
an only sister, widowed, sick and poor, who
! with her SON dragged on wretched life of III
requited tod, severe priyation and painful in-
trinity, in a distant city, unaided, unsought and
uneared for by her cruel brother.
It was the night of the last day of October
ls45 The evening had closed in very darl
and gloomy. About dusk the wind arose j
the north west, driving up masses ofleaden hue
clouds, and In a few minutes the ground wa
covered deep with snow, and the air filed Wit
driving sleet.
As this was An Halow Eve, the dreadful in
clemency Of the weather did not prevent the ne
proes of Hurricane Hall from svailing them
selves of their capricious old masters permis
sion, and going off in body to banjoe break
down held in the negro quarters of their mex
neighbor. q
Upon this evening, then, there was left 6
Hurricane Hall only Major Warfield, Mrs. Cor
diment, his little old housekeePer, and Woo
his body servant.
Early in the evening the old hall was shut u
closely, to keep out as much as possible tn
soupd of the storm that roared through tn
mountain chasms and cannonaded the walls
the house as If determined to force an entrance
AS soon az she had seen that all was safe, Mr.
Coudiment went to bed and went to sleep.
It was about ten o'clock that night that Oh
Hurricane, wrapped up in his quilted fiann'
dressing gown, sat in his well padded eas
chair before warm and bright fire, taking hi
comfort in his own most comfortable bedroom
This was the hour of the coZiest enjoyment
II C.. A. y
loved his own ease. Very comfortable was OF
Hurricane; and as he toasted his feet and siI
ned his punch, while his black servant, Woo
applied the warming pan to his coy couch, b
fairly hugee himself for enjoyment, and d.
elared that nothing under heaven would OF coul
tempt him to leave that room and that hous
and 20 out into that storm on that night. Jul
as be had come to this emphatic determinatio
Q he was startled by violentringing ofthe doc
bell. Ordering Wool to go and see what wa
the matter, he hastily arrayed himself IN b
sleeping hsbiliments and jumped into bed, de
te-mlned not to be intruded upon, or 70 be cal
ed out Of bis room on any account whatever.
At this moment Wool resppeared.
. sShut the door, you villainl Do YOU inten
to stand there holding it open on me all night
vccifersted the old man
Wool hastily closed the offending portal
and hurried to his masters side
: HWeII, sir, who was il Tung the bell 81
"Sar, de Reverend Mr. Parscn Goodwin, Al
he say how he must see you yourset, person;
= ia y, slone!" 81 ~.
"See me, you villain Didn't you tell d
that had retired "
~ .Yes, Marse, tell him how you were go
20 bed and asleep mofne'n an hour ago, and
ordered me to come and wake you up. and 8
= how it were matter o life and death J"
aLife and death? What have l to do VI
life and deaths won't stir If the pars
wants to zee me he will have to come up be
and zee me in bed
aNus' fetch him EsvsrHnes mp, saE!