Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-02-11
THE HIDDEN HAND.

HY EMMA D. p. y. sOurHwouru,
author Of The BTi''e " U' ErauJ,1. Zee Deserted
HJe," etc.. etc.,. efs.
CHAPTER I.-ruE NorrrnL VISIT
Whence !, that snocNur3
How ISL with me- when every so,ud appai, me:
hear kn1ckug
In the south entry Har, -morc knocking
SHAKESPEARE.
Hurricane Hall is large old family man
SION built of dark red sandstone. IN one of
the loneliest and widest Of the mountain re-
gions of Virginia
The estate is surrounded on three sides by
range Of steep, gray rocks. spiked with
clumps OF dark evergrecns, and called, from
its horseshoe form, the Devils Ioof
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 we're high. the
loud roaring Of the wind through the wild
mountain gorges, and the terrific raging of
of the torrent over its rocky course, gave to
this savage locality its ll-omened names of
Devils Hoof, Devils Run and Hurricane
Hall.
Major Ira Wariield, the lonely proprietor
of the Hall, was a veteran officer, who. in
disgust at what he supposed to be ll-requit-
ed services, had retired from public life to
spend the evening of bis vigorous aye on this
his patrimonial estate. Here he lived in Sc
clusion, with his old-hshioned housekeener.
Mrs. Condiment, and his old family servants
and his iayorite 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 cornwall
Shippers 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 his complex
ion dark red, as that of one bron2ed by long
exposure and flushed with strong drink His
herce, dark gray eyes were surmounted by
thick, heavy black brows, that, when gather
ed into trown, reminded one of thunder
cloud, as the flashing orbs beneath them did
OF lightning His hard, harsh face was sur
rounded 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 buttons.
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 ON
HURRIcANE
There was, however, other ground Of dis
like besides that of his arrogantmind. violent
temper and domineeiing habits. Old Hurri-
cane was said to be an old bachelor. vet m
NOR whispered that there was in some OBJ
scure part of the world hidden away from hui
man sight, deserted wife and child poor.
forlorn and heartbrokon. 1t was further
whispered that the elder brother of Ira War
held 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," How
ever 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 wretched life of in -reouited
toll, severe priyation and painful mfrmity. in
a distant city, unaided, unsought and uncared
for by her cruel brother.
IL was the night of the last day Of October
1870 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 dreadful
incemency of the weather did not prevent
the negroes of Hurricane Hall from availinc