Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-02-08


AUTHOR EyESIx0, F" ''THE DEsIRTED
wRE," ETo., ETc., Erc.
CHAPTER I-TnE NocrURNAL v1s1r.
Whence Is that knockingH
How is't With me wheneyery sound appals mel
In the South entryi Msrki-more knOckipgl
Hurricane Hall is a large old family mansion,
built of dark, red sandstone, in one of the lone
.liest and widest of the mountain regions of
Virginia. a.
The estate is surrounded on threes side by
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
gorges, and the terrific raging of the torrent
over its rocky course, gave to this savage locali
ty its ill-omend names of Devils Hoof, Devils
Run and Hurricane Hall.
Major Ira Warfeld, the lonely proprietor of
the Hall, was a veteran officer, who, in disgust
at what he supposed to be ill.requited services,
had retired from public life to spend the even
ing of his vigorous age on this his patrimo-
nial estate Here he lived in seclusion, 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 occupied IN
small convisial suppers among his few chosen
companions of the chase OF the bottle.
In person Major Warfield was tall and. Strong
" built reminding one of some old iron-limbed
Douglas OF the olden time. His features were
large and harsh; his complexion dark red, as
that of one bronzed by long exposure and lush
ed with strong drink. His fierce, dark gray
eyes were surmounted by thick, heavy black
Al. nra6 inf N rnV o.
minded one of thunder cloud, rs the flashing
orbs beneath them did oflightning. His hard,
harsh face was surrounded by thick growth OF
iron-gray hair and beard that met beneath his
chin. His usual habit was n black cloth coat,
crimson vest, black leather breeches, long, black
yarn stockings, fastened at the knees, and mo-
rocco slippers with silver buttons.
In character Major Warfield was arrogant.
domineering and Violent-equally loved and
feared by his faithful old family servants at
home-disliked and dreaded by his Deighbors
and acouaintances abroad, who, partly from his
house and partly from his character, fixed upon
him the appropriate nickname of OLD HURRICANE.
There was, however, other ground of dislike
bcSides that of his arrogant mind, violent tenn
per and domineering habits. Old Hurricane
was said to be an old bachelor, yet rumor whls.
pered that there was in some obscure part oi
the world, hidden away from human sight, a
deserted wife and child, poor, forlorn and heart
broken. 1t was further whispered that the
elder brother of Irn Wartield had mysterlous'y y
disappeared, and not without some suspicion oi
foul play on the part of the only person IN the
world who had strong interest IN his taking
Off" However these things might De- 1t was
known for a certainty that Old Hurricane had
nm ouly sister, widowed, sick and poor, who
with her son dragged on a wretched life of i'll.
reunited toll severe privatiOn and painful inhr-
mity. in n 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 N
tho northwest, driving up masses of leaden hued
clouds and in few minutes the ground was
covered deep with snow, and the air was hileo
with driving sleet -,
AS this was All Hailow Eve, the dreadful
inclemenc- of the weather did not prevent the
negroes of Hurricane Hall from availing them
selves of their capricious old masters permits
sion. and going off IN body TO banjo break
down held in the negro quarters OF their mex
neighbor.
Upon this evening, then, there was left a! a
Hurricane Hall only Major Wartield, Mrs Condl
ment. his little old housekeeper, and Wool, hi:
Early in the evening the old hall was shut NJ
closely, to keep out as much as poSsloie lh'
sound of the storm that rOared through th'
mountain chasms and cannonaded the walls
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 Ole
Hurricane, well wrapped up in his quilted Han
mel dressing gown. sat in his well padded easy
chair before warm and bright hre, taxing MI
comfort in his own most comfortable bedroom
This was the hour of the cozlest enjoyment {
the self-indugent Sybrite, who dearly ioyed M
own ease. Very comfortable was Old Hurrl
cane; and as he toasted his feet and slipped m.
punch, while his black servant. Wool, applet
the warming-pan to his cozy couch, ne ialrlI I.
hngged himself for enjoyment, and declared ina una
nothing under heaven could tempt him 70 'eav' q
that room and that house and go out into tha