The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-02-07

How is't with me when every sound appals mes
hear knocking
In The south entryl Hark-more knockingl
SHAKESPEARE.
Hurricane Hall is a large old family mansion
built of dark red sandstone, in one of the onelie
and widest of the mountain regions of Virginia.
The estate is surrounded on three sides by a rang
OF steep, gray rocks, spiked with clumps of dar
evergreens, and called, from its horseshoe FORM tn
Devils Hoof.
On the fourth side the ground gradually do.oend
IN broken rock and barren soil to the edge of tn
wild mountain stream known as the Devils Run.
When storms and floods were high the loud roar
ing of the wind through the wild mountain gorges
and the terrific raging of the torrent over its rock
course, gave to this savage locality its ill-omene
names of Devils Hoof, Devils Run and Hurrican
Hall.
Major Ira warfeld, the lonely proprietor of tn
Hall, was veteran officer, who, in disgust of wha
he supposed to be i-requited services, had retire
from public life to spend the evening of his vigor
GUS age on this his patrimonial estate. Here
lived in seclusion, with his old-fashioned house
keeper, Mrs. Condiment, and his old family servant
and his favorite dogs and horses. Here his morn
ings were usually spent in the chase, in which h
excelled, and his afternoons and evenings were oc
cupied in small convivial suppers among his fey
chosen companions of the chase or the bottle
In person Major Warfied was tall and strongl
built, reminding one of some old iron-limbed Doug
las of the olden time. His features were large ant
harsh; his complexion dark red, as that of on
bronzed BIZ long exposure and flushed with strong
drink. His fierce, dark grew ewes were surmouptet
by thick, heavy black brows, that, when gathered
into a frown, reminded one of a thunder cloud, a
the flashing orbs beneath them did of lightning
His hard, harsh face surrounded bv thicl
growth of iron gray hair and beard that met be
meath his chin. His usual habit was a black clotl
coat, crimson vest black leather breeches, bng
black yarn stockings, fastened at the knees ant
morocco slippers with silver buttons.
In character Major Warfield was arrogant, domi
d1rinl I'LL
his faithful old family servants at home-dislikec
and dreaded by his ighbors and acquaintance.
abroad, who, partly from his house and partly from
his character, fixed upon him the appropriate nick
name of OLD HURRICANE.
There was, however, other ground of dislike be-
sides that OF his arrogant mind, violent temper and
domneering 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 mysteriously disappeared, and not without
some suspicion of foul play the part of the only
person in the world who had a strong interest in
his ''taking off" However these things might be
1t was known for a certainty that Old Hurricane
had an only sister, widowed, sick and poor, who
with her son dragged on wretched life of -reqrit-
ed toll, severe privation and painful inirmity, in
distant city, unaided, unsought and uncared for by
her cruel brother.
1t was the night of the last day of October ls45
The evening had closed in very dark and gloomy
About dusk the wind arose in the northwest dri
wing up masses of leaden hued Clouds and in a few
minutes the ground was covered deep with snow,
and the air was filled with driving sleet
As this All Hallow Eve, the dreadful incle-
mency 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 tc banjo breakdown held in the negro
quarters of their next neighbor.
Upon this evening, then, there was left at Hur-
rcane Hall only Major Warield, Mrs. Condiment,
his little old housekeeper, and Wool, his body SER
want.
Early in the evening the old hall was shut ,
closely, to keep out as much 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 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 flannel
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 cozest enjoyment to the selfindul-
gent old Sybarite, who dearly loved his own ease.
Very comfortable was Old Hurricane; and as he
toasted his feet and slipped his punch while his
black servant, Wool, applied the warming-pan to
his cozy couch, fairly hugged himself for enjoy
ment, and declared that nothing under heaven
would or could tempt him to leave that room and
that house and go into that storm on that night.
Just as he had come to this emphatic determination
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
habilments and jumped into bed, determined not to
be intruded upon, or to be called out of his room
on any account whatever.
AT this moment Wool re-appeared.
"Shut the door, you vlan Do you intend to
stand there holding it open on me all night? voci-
ferated the old man.
Wool hastily closed the offending portals, and
hurried to his masters side.
"Well, sir who was it rung the bel?"
''Sar, de Reverend Mr.. Parson Goodwin, and he
say how he must see you yourself, personally.
alone!'
"See me, you villain! Didn't you tell him that
had retired?"
eyes, Marse, tell him how you were gone to
bed and asleep morne'n an hour ago, and he order
ed me to come wake you up, and say how it were a
'Life and death? What have 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"
"AIos fetch him reverence up, sar?"
eyes, l wouldn't get up and 90 down to see
Washington shut the door, you rascal! or I'll throw
the booGack at your wooden headr'
Wool obeyed with alacrity, and in time to escape
the threatened missile.
After absence of few minutes he was heard
returning, attending upon the footsteps of another
And the next minute he entered, ushering in the
Rev. Mr.. Goodwin, the parish minister of Bethle-
hem, IT. Marys.
now 90 you 40! now 40 you 40! Giad TO see
you sir! giad TO see you though obliged to receive
you III oeo' ract Is, caught a colo with TINS Sc,
we're change OF weather, ana LOOK a warm negus and
went to bed to sweat it off! You'll excuse me-
Wool, draw that easy chair up to my bedside for
worthy Mr.. GOODWIN and bring him glass OF warm
negus 1t will do him good after his cold ride"
81 thank you, Major w Warfeld! | will take the
seat; but not the negIs, if you please, to night;
WI, NOT the u unegus! On, come now, you are joking
ny ~ WIN Keep you rom Ca 'chihg cola, ana oe
inost couiiI!taoe higntcaP, aisposhg you 10 sleep
ana sweat IKE "a papyi vi course you spend the
hieIt WIN us
thank YOU no! must take the road again In
lew minutes.
:. rake the road again tonlghtl why, man alive
IL IS mlahlght' ana the snow driving ike all Lap
land
or, am sorry 10 reluse your pronered hospl,
lailtY ana iea'e your comfortable r0ol to.mgnt ano
sorrler sti 10 nave 10 take you win me, SAID the
pastor, grayely.
Take M with YOU! No, no, my good sir ! no,
no, that is too good a joke-ha hap
Sir, fear that you will find it very serious
one! 1 our servant told you that my errand was
one OF imminent urgency"
yes, something IKE LIE and death"
"Exactly-down IN the cabin, near the Punch
Bowl, there Is an old woman dying
Ihere, 1 knew 1t. L was just saying there
snt De ,b.t an oiu wv wov9 Wb atlmg 5u % my oear SIT
"na1 i.u,., .nat 70 in me III na. . Gan uo:
,n'il nuhanl'1, slr, "Iulu Pronpl you. ,-
BUT, my aear sir, now can heip herf am mo-
physician 10 prescrlpe...
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