Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-02-07
CHAPTER I.-THx NOCTURNAL vrsrr.

DESERTED WIFE, ETC-, ETC, ETC.
CHAPTER I-THx NocruRSAL vrsrr.
<*& Whence is that knocking,
How is't with me when every sound sppals me
- I hear knocking
In the south entry. Hark more knocking
Hurricane Hall is large old family man
sion, built Of dark, red sandstone, in one ol
the toneliest and widest Of the mountain re-
gions Of Virginia. Il
The estate is surrounded on three sides By a
range OF steep, gray rocks, spiked with cIumps
Of dark evsrgreens, and called, from its horse.
shoe form, the Devil 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 foods were high, the
loud roaring Of the wind through the wild
mountain gcrges, and the terrific raging OF
the torrent over its rocky course, gave to this
savage locality its ill-omened names of DEVILS
HOof, Devils Run and Hur icane Hall
Major Ira Warfeld, the lonely proprietor of
the hall, was veteran officer, who, in disgust
ct what ne supposed to be ill-requited services,
had retired from public life to spend the even.
ing of his vigorous age on this his patrimonial
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 ex-
celled, and his afternoons and evenings were
occupied in small convivisl suppers 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 complexion dark
red, as that of one bronzed by long exposure
aud 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 flash
ing orbs beneath them did of Lightning. His
hard, harsh face was surrounded by a 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 Msjor Warfeld was arrogant,
dOmineering and viOlent-equaIly loved and
feared by his faithful old family servants at
hOme-disliked and dreaded by his neighbors
aud acquaintances abroad. who, partly from
his house and partly from his character, fixed
upon him the appropriate nickname Of OLD
HCRRICANE.
There was, however, other ground of dislike
besides that Of his arrogant mind violent tenn
per and domineering 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
heart-broken. Ii was further whispered that
the elder brother of Ira Warfeld had mysteri-
ously disappeared, and not without some sus.
plcion Of foul play on the part of the only
person In the world who had a strong interest
In his - taking of F." However these things
might oe, IL was known for certainty that
Old Hurricane had only sister widowed,
sick and poor, who with her son dragged on
wretched life Of ill-requited toll severe priva-
ticD and painful infrmity, in a distant city,
unaided, unsought and uncared for by her
cruel brother.
Ii 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, driving up masses of leaden-hued
clouds, and in q few minutes the ground was
covered deep with snow, and the air was filed
with driving sleet.
As this was All Hallow Eve the dreadful in
elemency Of the weather did not prevent the
negroes OF HGrricane Hall from availing them
selves OF their capriciOus old masters permis-
sion, and going of 10 body to a banjo break
down held IN the negro quarters of their next
neighbor.
Upon this evening, then, there was left at
Hurricane Hall only Major Warfeld, Mrs
Condiment, his little old housekeeper, and
Wool, his body servant
Early in the evening the old hall was shut
up closely, to keep out as much as 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 en- trance.
As soon as she had seen that all was safe Mrs
Condiment went to bed and went to sleep.
II was about ten o'clock that night that Old
Hurricane, well wrapped upin his quilted fam
mel dressing gown, sat in his we'll padded easy
chair before a warm and bright fire, taking his
comfort IN 0xr paste L.
This was the hour Of the contest enjoyment to
the self-indulgent old Sybarite, who dearly
loved his own ease. Very comfortable was
O!d Hurricane; and ss he toasted his feet and
sipped his punch, while his black servant,
Wooi, applied the wsrming-pan to his cory
eouen, ne iairiy hugged himself for enjoyment,
and declared that nothing under heaven vould
or could tempt him to leave that room and that
house and 20 out into that storm on that night
Just rs he had come TO this emphatic deter
mination, he was startled by a violent ringing
of the door-bell. Ordering Wool to 60 and see
what was the matter, he hastily arrayed him
self in bis sleeping habiliments, and jumped
into bed, determined not 70 be intruded upon,
or to be called out Of his room on any account
Whatever.
AZ this moment Wool reappeared.
SHUT the door, You villain Do you intend
to stand there holding it open on me all night!"
voelferated the old man.
"CoI hasuly closed the offending portals, and
hurried to his masters side - 80
'' Well, SIR, who was il runp the hell %, -
: Seri de Reverend Mr. Parson Good win. and
De ssy no" he must sec you yourself, per-
sJnslly, alone"
See me, you villain! Didn't you tell him
that had retired!'
Yes, Marse, tell him how you were gon.
70 ped and asleep morne' an hour ago, and he
oaasred me come wake yoa mp, and say how it
were matter o. life and deathn' =.
ne Life and death , What have to do With
m nm.e end death? 1 won't stir. Ii the parson
W Haats 70 see ne be will have to come up here
AAd see me in bed''
.,Vas VNas tsseh him reverence up, sar 2"
wouldn': get up and 20 down to see
I'm I-n,Ialngtoa-shut the door, you rascal, or
Tn-I tas ooouack at your wooden head
WOOL oOey Ell with alarritv aud 4, ,;non 40