Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1859-02-19


In the south entIyl Hark more knoekinsi
HURRICANE HALL is large old
Al family mansion. built of dark, red sand
stone. IN ere of the loneliest and widest OF
the mountain regions of Virginia.
The estate is surrounded on three sides
by q 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
tfescends in broken rock and barren soil to
the edge of the wild mountain stream known
as the Devils Run
When storms and foods were high, the
loud roaring of the wind through the wild
mountain gorges, and the terrified raging
of the torrent over its rocky course, gave
TO this savage locality its ill-omened names
of Devils Hoof, Devils Run and Hurricane
Hall
Major Ira Warfeld, the lonely proPrie-
tor of the Hall, was veteran officer, who,
in disgust at what he supposed to be III
reouited services, had retired from pnblic
life to spend the evening Of his vigorous
age on this his patrimonial estate. Here
he lived in secusion, with his old-fashioned
housekeeper, 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,
and his afternoons and evenings were oc-
cupied in small convival suppers among his
few chosen companions Of the chase or the
bottle. :,
In person Major War6cld was tall and
strongly built, reminding one of some old
IL IF ho
His features were large and harsh; his COM
plexion 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 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
a black cloth coat, crimson vest, black leath-
er breeches, long, black yarn stockings,
fastened at the knees, aud morocco slippers
with silver buttons.
In character Major WarfeId was AFRO
CANT, domineeriHg and violent = equally
loved and feared by his faithful old family
servants at home-dislked and dreaded 10y
his neighbOrs and acquaintances abroad,
who. partly from his house and partly from
his character, fixed upon him the appro-
pirate nickname Of OLD HURRICANE.
There was, however, other ground oil dis
like besides that of his arrogant mind, VIC
lent temper and domineering habits. Old
Hurricane was said to be an old bachelor,
vet rumor whispered that there was in
some ebseure part of the world, hidden a.
way from human sight, deserted wife aud
child. poor, forlorn and heartbroken. II
was further whispered that the elder broth
er of Ira Warleld had mysteriously disap
ueared, and not without some suspicion o
foul play on the part of the only person il
the world who had q strong interest in hi
"taking off, However these things nigh
be. it was known for n certainty that Ok
Hurricane had an cnly sister, widowed, siel
and poor, who with her son dragged on {
xretched life of ill-requited tell, severe pri
walton and painful in6rmity, in distan
city, unaidcd, unsoUght aud uneared for b.
her cruel brother.
1t was the night Of the last day Of DC
tober, ls45. The evening had closed il
very dark and gloomy. About dusk til
wind arose in the northwest, driving u
masses Of leaden hued clouds, and in feN
minutes the ground was covered deep wit
snow, and the air was filled with driving
gIeet.
As this was All Hallow Eve, the dread
ful ineIemeney Of the weather did not pre-
vent the negroes of Hurricane Hall froI
aEailing themselves Of their capricious ol
masters permission, and going OF in
body to a banjo breakdown held in the u
gro quarters of their Bext DeighbOr.
Upon this evening, then, there was le
At Hurricane Hall only Major Warfel
Mrs. Condiment, his little old housekeepe
and Wool. his body servant.
Early in the evening the old hall VI
shut up closely, TO keep out as much
possible the sound Of the storm that Foar'
through the mountain chasms and canno
AIDED the walls of the house as If determine
to force an entrance. As soon as she hi
seen that all was safe, Mrs. Condime
went to bed and went To sleep.
IT was about ten O'Clock that night III
Old Hurricane, wen wrapped up in his q
ted flannel dressing gown, sat in bis y
padded easy chair before warm and brit
ere. taking his comfort in his own m
comfortable bedroom. This was the he
Of the coziest enjoyment to the seli-lnd
gent old Sybariie, who dearly loved
own ease Very comfortable was Old ii
sicane; and az be toasted bis feet aud 81
ed his punch, while his black servant, Wa
applied the warming-pan to bis coy eon'
be fairly hngged himself for enjoyment, a
declared that nothing under heaven wo'
or could tempt him TO leave that room
that house aud 60 out into that storm
that bight lust as be had come 10
omphetic determination he was startled
violent ringing Of the doorbelA Ord
ing Wool 10 60 and see what WAS the M
Der, be hastily arrayed himssk Ia his sle'
ing habilimeats and jumped mao bed, I
tefnlnsd not TO be intfeded uPoa> or TO
called out Of bis room on any account wh
ever.
Al this nousnl Wool reappearsd.