Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-02-08

Howis't with me when every sound appals me!
hear knocking
In the south entry! Hark.-more knocking!
Shakespeare.
Hurricane Hall is a large old family man.
sion, built of dark, red sandstone, in one of the
ioneliest and widest Of the mountain regions
of Virginia
The estate is surrounded on three sides by a
range OF steep, gray rocks, spiked with clumps
OF dark evergreens, and called from its horse
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 storms and floods were high, the loud
roaring of the wind through the wild mountain
gorgess, and the terrific raging of the torrent
over It's rocky course, gave to this savage To-
callty its iI-omened names of Devils Hoof.
Devils Run, and Hurricane Hall
MAYOR Ira Warfeld, the lone proprietor of
the Hall, was veteran officer, who, in disgust
at what he supposed to be ill-requited SER
vices, had retired from public life to spend the
evening OF his vigorous age on this his patri-
monlal estate. Here he lived in seclusion,
with his old-fashioned housekeeper, Mrs Con-
dlment, and his old family servants and his ia
Vorlte dogs and horses. Here his mornings
were usually spent in the chase, in which he ex-
celled, and his afternoons and evenings were
occupied in small convivial suppers among his
few chosen companions of the chase or the bot
tie.
In person Major Warfeld was tall and
strongly built, reminding one of some old iron
hmbed Douglas of the older time His fea-
lures were large and harsh; his complexion
dark red, as that of one bronzed by long expo
sure and flushed with strong drink His fierce.
dark gray eyes were surmounted by thick,
heayy black brows, that when gathered into
frown, reminded one of a 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 leather breeches.
long, black yarn stockings, fastened at the
knees, and morocco slippers with silver but
tons.
In 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 neighbors
and acquaintance abroad, who, partly from his
house and partly from his character, fixed upon
HIM the appropriate nickname of OLD HURT
CANE.
Ihere 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
whispered that there was in some obscure part
OF the world, hidden away from human sight
deserted wife and child, poor, forlorn and
heartbroken 1t was further whispered that
the elder brother of Ira Warfeld had myste-
riously disappeared, and not without some sus-
plclon OF foul play on the part of the only per-
son In the world who had strong interest in
his taking off," However these things might
Is al isas known for certainty that Old Hur-
r;n.no lad an only sister, widowed, sick and
n oh, =
iSe Of ;o"suited toll, severe priy.,; s ",,d
painful infiriRRiEg 2, distaht city, unaided,
unsought and uncared for by her cruel brother
1t was the night of the last day of October,
1845. The evening had closed in very dark
and gloomy. About dusk the wind arose in
the northwest, driving up masses ofleaden hued
clouds, and IN few minutes the ground was
covered deep 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 capricious old masters
permission, and going off in body to
banjo breakdown held in the negro quarters of
their next neighbor. e.,t..
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 cannonaded the walls of
the house as 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
Hurricane, well wrapped up in his quilted fan
mel dressing gown sat in his well 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 selfindulgent old Sybarite, who dearly
loved his own ease. Very comfortable was
Old Hurricame and as he toasted his feet
and slipped his punch, while his black servant,
Wool, applied the warmingpan to his eozy
couch, he fairly Rugged himself for enjoyment,
and declared that nothing under heaven would
or could tempt him to leave that room and that
house and go out into the storm on that night.
Just as he had come to this emphatic deter
mination he was startled by violent ringing
of the door-bell. Ordering Wool to go and
see what was the matter, he hastily arrayed
himself in his sleeping habiliments and jumped
into bed, determined not to be intruded upon,
or to be called out of his room ON any account
whatever. tlh
At this moment Wool reappeared.
"Shut the door, you william do you intend
to stand there holding it open on me all
nightq" yociferated the old man.
Wool hastily closed the offending portals,
and hurried to bis masters side
"Well, sir, who was it rung the bell 2"
"Sars, de Reverend Mr.. Parson Goodwin,
and he say how he must see you yourself, per-
sonally, alone"
See me, you villain Didn't you tell him
that had retiredW
eyes, Marse, tell him how you were gone
IN had and bo,. aY,J bu
ordered me to come wake you up, and say
how it were a matter o. life and death ?"
"Life and death? What have l to do with
life and death / won't stir If the parson
wants to see me he will have to come up here
and see me in bed"
Mus fetch him reverence up, sar4"
Yes. ! wouldn't get up and go down to
-Washngton-shu the door, you rascal !
or III throw the bootack at your wooden
Wool obeyed with alacrity and in time to
escape the threatened missile
Aiter an absence of few minutes he was
heard returning, attending upon the footsteps
OF announcer And the next minute he entered.
usherlng IN the Rev. Mr.. Goodwin. the narish
minister Of Bethlehem, St Marys. -.
How do you dos How do you do? Glad
to see you, sir glad TO see you, though OBLIGED
to receive you in bed Fact is, / caught n
cold with this change of weather, and took a
warm negus and went to bed TO sweat II off /
You'll excuse mel Wool, draw that easy
chair up TO my bedside for worthy Mr.. Good.
win, and bring him glass of warm negus. IL
will do him good after his cold ride"
81 thank you, Major Warfeld ] will take
the seat but not the negus, If you please, TO-
night"
'Not the negus oh, come now, you are
jokingl Why II will keep you from catching
cold, and be most comfortable nightcap, dis