Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-02-12

] hear a knocking
In the south entry Hark more knockingl
SHAKESPEARE
Hurricane Hall is large old family man
sion. built of dark. rcd sandstone, in one of
the lonelic. t ard widest Of the mountain re-
giOns of Virginia ~ II. fr +
The estate is surrounded oH three sides by
a 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
descends 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 terrific raging of the torrent
! over its rocky course. gave to this savage To-
calty its ill-omcned names Of Devils Hoof,
Devils Run, and Hurricane Hall.
Major Ira VARIED. the lonely proprietor of
the Hall. was veteran officer. who, in dis
gust at what be supposed to be ill-requited
services. had retired from public life to spend
the evening of his vigorous age on this his
patrimonial estate. Here he liv, in seclu-
sion, with his old-fdshiOned bouse-keeper
Mrs. COndiment and his old family servants
I'd 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 convivial
supprrs among his few chosen companions of
the chase or the bottle.
In person Major Warfield was tall and
strongly built. reminding one of some old
iron-limbed Douglas of the Oden time.
His fratur were large and harsh; his com
pleXiOn dark red, that of one brOnZ"d by
long exposure and flushed with strong drink
His fierce, dark gray eyes were surmOunted
by thick, heavy black brows, that, when gath
cred into a frown, reminded one of a thunder
cloud as the flashing orbs beneath them did
OF lightning. His hard, harsh face was sur
ROUNDED by thick growth of iTon-gray hair
and beard that met beneath his chin. His
usual habit was a 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 Warfield was arrogant,
dOmineering and violent-equally loved and
feared by his faithful old family servants at
home-disliked and dreaded by his neighbOrs
and acquantances 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 ofdslike
besides that of his arrogant mind, violent
temper and domineering habits. Old Hurri-
cane was said to be an old bachelor, vet
obscure part of the world, hidden away from
human sight. a deserted wife and child. poor.
forlOrn and heartbroken. 1t was further
whispered that the elder brother OF Ira War
field had mysteriouslv disappeared, and not
without some suspicion Of foul play on the
part of the only person in the world who had
IA strong interest in his taking off" How
ever these things might be, it was known
Tor certainty that Old Hurricane had an
nulN ST "a
with her son dragged on wretched life of
ill-requted TIL, severe p:ivadon and painful
iniirmity, in a distant city, unaided, unsOught
and uHcarcd for by her cruel brother.
1t was the night of the last day of October,
1915. 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
inclemency 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 to a banjo
breakdown held in the negro quarters OF their
ueyt neighbOr.
Upon this evening, then, there was left at
Hurricane Hall only Major Wariield. Mrs.
Cond ment, his little old houskaeper, and
Wool, his body servant.
Early in the evening the old hall was shut
up closely, To keep out much possible
the sound of the storm that rodred through
the mountain chasms aud cannOuaded the
walls of the hous as If determined 10 force
an entrance. As soon as she had seen that
all was safe Mrs. Condment went To bed aud
went To sleep.
IL was about ten O'Clock that night that
Old Hurricane. well wrapped up in his quilt
ed flannel dressing gown, sat i'll his well
padded easy chair before a warm and bright
ire, taking his comfort in his own most COM
Portable bedroom. This was the hour of the
coZiest enjoyment To the selt-indulgent old
Sybarte. who dearly loved his own ease
Very comfortable was Old Hurricane; aud as
he toasted his feet aud slipped his punch. while
his black servant, Wool, applied the arming-
pan TO his coy couch, he fairly Rugged him
self for enjoyment, and declared that nothing
under heaven would or could tempt him to
leave that room and that house aud go out
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 % go and see what was the
matter, he hastily arrayed himself in his
sleeping habilim nIs and jumped into bed,
d ,teImined not to be intruded upon, or to Ice
called out OF has room on any account what
ever.
= Al this moment Wool r, appeared.
shut the door, you villain! Do you in
tend Ia stand there holding it open on me all
night ~ rociterated the old man.
Wool hastily CLOSED the offending poT tails,
and hurried To his masters side.
We'll, sir. who was il rung the bell W
''SIr, de Rever, nj Nh. PAS Go dwin,
and he say how he must you yourself,
personally alone J"
See me, you viii ini Didn't you tell him
that had retired!'
Yes, Marse, tell him how you were gore
10 urd aud asleep morne'n an hour ago, aud
he ordered me To come wake you up, ard say
how il were a matter o life aud deathi'
Lite and deaihI What have TO do with
life aud death, l wont stir. IL the parson
wants to see me he will have TO come up here
and see me in bed
Mus fetch him reverence up, sar.'
"les, Iwouldat get up and go down to
see-M ashing ton--shut the door, You rascal,
og I'll throw the boogsck at yoar wooden
headip
MooI obeyed with alacrity and In time 10
escape the threaisnsd missile.
Alter an absence OF "a few minutes be was
heard returning, attending upon the footsteps
"a another. And the next aiiante DC catered,
ushering in The Rev. Mr.. Goodsin ia, the parish
minister vi bethlehem. 81 Mays
How do you do. How do you do! Glad
TO see you, cir. glad ca see you, though Oh
llged 10 receive you in bed! facI Is, caught
a Geld with this severe change Of weathrr,
and took warm negns and went 10
D. a 10 sW eat IL on. ioa n excuse me. Wool.
draw that easy chair up 70 my bedside Tor
worthy Mr.. Goodwin, aud bring him glass
of warm uegus. IL will do han go0d aiier
his cold ride"
n thank yoa. Major waraeld, l will take
the seat, bas AGA The negas, 4 yoa pleas, to-
aighLH1 81 ~ ~ - 81 = y ~ "
mot the negusi Oh, came now, you are
jokingl Why, 10 will keep yon ifcuI catching