Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-02-12

Here among the roses.
MlisetIlaneous.
/ THE HIDDEN HAND.
BY EMMA D. N: soUTHwoRTH,
Author of the "Bride of an Evening" "Deserted
Wife" Etc, Etc, Etc.
i CHAPTER THE NOCTURNAL VISIT.
Whence is that knocking?
How ist with me when every sound appals me?
hear knocking
In the south entry. Hark!-more knocking!
4 % yiE d4l.3 n5 SHAKESPEARE.
| Hurricane Hall is large, old family
mansion, built Of dark red sandstone, in
one of the loneliest and widest of the noun
tain regions Of Virginia.
4 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 Hurri
cane Hall.
Major Ira War6eld, the lonely proprie-
tor Of the Hall, was veteran officer, who,
in disgust at what he supposed to be i'll
requited 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
housekeeper, Mrs. Condiment, and his old
family servents 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 War6eld 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 grey eyes were
surmounted by thick, heavy black brows,
that when gathered 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 beneath his chin His usual habit was
black cloth coat, crimson vest, black leath-
er breeches, long black yarn stockings, fas-
tened at the knees, and morocco slippers
with silver buttons.
In character, Major Warfeld was aro-
giant, domineering and violent - 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
nis character, fixed upon him the appropri-
ate nickname of OLD HURRICANE
There was, however. other ground of dis
like besides that of his arrogant mind, VIC
lent temper, and domineering habits Old
Hurricane was said to 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. It was fur
ther whispered that the elder brother Of
Ira Warfeld 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 taking
off," However these things might be, It
was known for certainty that Old Hurri-
cane had an only sister, widowed, sick and
poor, who with her son, dragged on
wretched life Of ill-requited toll severe pri-
walton and painful in6rmity, in distant
city, unaided, unsought and uncared for by
her cruel brother
1t was the night Of the last day of Octo-
Der, 1915. 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 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
availing themselves of their capricious old
masters permission, and going off in a
body to banjo banjo breakdown held in
the negro quarters Of their next neighbor
Upon this evening, then, there was left
at Hurricane Hall only Major Warfeld,
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 reared
through the mountain chasms and cannon
AIDED the walls Of the house, as if deter
mined to force an entrance. AS soon as she
had seen that all was safe, Mrs Condiment
went to bed and went to sleep.
It was about ten o'clock that night that
Old Hurricane, we'll wrapped up in his
quilted flannel dressing gown. sat in his
we'll padded easy chair before warm and
bright fire, taking his comfort in his own
most comfortable bedroom. This was the
hour of the contest enjoyment to the self
indulgent old Sybarite, who dearly loved
his own ease. Very comfortable was Old
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