Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-02-18

NANH(
How ist with me when every sound appal= me:
hear a knocking
In the South Entry! Hark:-more knockin g.
SHAKESPEARE.
Hurricane Hall is a large old family man.
sion, built of dark, red sandstone, in one OF
the l~oneliest and widest OF the mountain
segions OF Virginia.
The estate is surrounded on three sides
by q range Of steep, gray rocks, spiked
with clumps of dark eyer-greens, end called
from it's horseshoe form, the DEVILS Hoof.
Or the fourth side the ground gradually
descends in broker rock and barren soil TO
the edge of the wild mountain stream known
as the Devils Run.
When storms and floods were high, the
iond roaring of the wind through the wild
mountain gorges, and the terrific raging of
the torrent over its rocky course, gave to
eais savage locality its ill-onened names OF
Devils Heof, Devils Run and Hurricane
Hall.
Major Ira War6eld, the lonely proprietor
of the Hall, was a veteran officer, who, in
disgust at what he supposed to be ill~requit-
ed 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 house
keeper, Mrs. Condiment, and his old family
servants and his favorite dogs and horses
Here his mornings were usually spent in the
chase, in which he excelled, aud his after
Moons and evenings were occupied in small
conyiviai suppers among his few chosen
companions OF the chase or the bottle.
In person Major Warfeld was tall and
strongly built, reminded one of some old
iroa-limbed Douglas of the olden time
His features were large and harsh; his COM
pIexion dark red, as that of one bronzed by
long exposure and flushed with strong drink.
His fierce, dark gray eyes were surmounted
by thick, heavy black brows, that, when
gathered into a frown, reminded one of a
thunder cloud, as the flashing orbs beneath
them did Of lightning. His hard, harsh face
/. was surrounded by a thick growth of IRON
gray hair and beard that met beneath his
chin. His usual habit was a black cloth
coat, crimson vest, black leather breaches,
long black yarn stockings, taste ned at the
knees, aud morocco slippers with silver butt
tens.
In character Major Warield was arrogant
domineering and violent-equally loved and
feared by his faithful old family servants at
honae-disliked aud dreaded by his neigh
hers and acqnaintances abroad. who, partly
frosn his house and partly from his character,
fixed upon him the appropriate nickname OF
OLD HURRICANE. -
There was however other ground of dis
ike besides that of his arrogant mind. vio-
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. a deserted wife and child. poor,
forlern and heart broken. It was further
whispered THAI the elder brother of Ira War
Geld had mysteriously disappeared, and not
without some suspicion of foul play on the
part of the only person in the world who
had q strong interest in his taking off,
However these things might be, it was
known for a certainty that Old Hurricane
had a sister, widowed, sick and poor, who
with her son dragged on a wretched lite tf
~il-requitted toll, severe privation and paii !.
full inirmity. in a distant city. unaided. IN
sought and uncared for by her cruel brother.
1t was the night of the last day of Octo-
Der, 1916. 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 a few minutes
the ground was covered deep with snow,
and the air was filed with driving, heavy
sleee.
As this was All Hollow Eve, the dread
fal inclenency Of the weather did not pre-
vent the negroes of Hurricane Hall from
s~vailiug themselves of their capricious old
masters permission, and going off in a body
TO q banjo breakdown held in the negro
quarters of their next ueighbor.
Upon this evening. then, there was left at
Hurricane Hall only Major Warfield, Mrs.
Ceadiment, 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 that roared through the mountain
chasms and canuonaded the walls of the
house as if determined to force an entrance.
Az soon ss she had seen that all was safe,
AfHs A9A4utA1E4S VIVA " 80 oho WGht "
sleeep4
II was about ten o'clock that night that
Old hurricane, well wrapped up in his quill
SD flannel dressing gown, sat 10 bis we'll
padded easy chair before a warm and bright
ERE, taking his comfort in his own most coni-
fertable bedroom. This was the hour OF
the contest enjoyment to the self-indulgent
old Sybraite, who dearly loved his own ease.
Very comfortable was Old Hurricane; and
as be toasted his feet and slipped his punch,
while his black servant, Wool, applied the
warming pan to his cozy couch, he fairly
Rugged himself for enjoyment, and declared
that nothing under heaven would or could
eempt him to leave that room and that house
and 90 ont into that storm on that night
Just as he had come to this emphatic deter-
minasion he was startled by a 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 intru-
ded uaon, or 10 be called out Of his room on
any account whatever.
At this moment Wool reappeared.
''Sbut the door, you villain! Do you in
tend to stand there holding it open on me al
night" Moderated the old man.
Wool hastily closed the offending portals
and hurried to his masters side.
Well, sir, who was IL rung the bellr'
"Sar, de Reverend Mr.. Parson Goodwin
and he cay he must see you yourself, person
ally, alone!!"
"See me, you villainI Didn't you tell
him that ] had retiredss
ayes, Marse, | tell him how you were
gone to bed and asleep morue'n an hour ago,
aDd he ordered me to CONS wake you up,