Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-02-11

DESERTED WIFE" ETC, ETC.. ETC.
CHAPTER I.--THE NOCTURNAL VISIT.
Whence is that knocking'
How ist with mo when, every sound appal. mo
hear a knocking
In the south entry more knocking
SHAKESPEARE.
Hurricane Hall is large lold family mansion
built of dark, red sandstone, in of the loneliest
md widest of the mountain regions of Virginia.
The estate is surrounded on three sides by a
range of steep, gray rocks, spiked with clumps OF
dark evergreens and called for its horseshoe form
the Devils Hoof.
On the fourth side the ground gradually de.
scends in broken rock and barren soil to tho edge
of the wild mountain stream known as the Devil.
Run.
When storms and floods were high, the roaring Of
the wind through the wild mountain gorges, and
the terrific raging of the torrent over its rocky
course, gave this savage locality its l-omencd
name. ofDevil's IIoof, DEVILS Run and Hurricane
Hall.
Major Ira Warfeld, the lonely proprietor of the
HAIL was a veteran officer who, in disgust at
what he supposed to be ill-requitcd services, had
retired from public 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. Condment, and his old family
servants and his favorite dog. and horsos. Here
his mornings were usually spent in the chase, in
which he excellcd and his afternoons and even
ings were occupied in small convivial suppers
among his few chosen companions of the chase or
the bottle.
In person Major Warfcld was tall and strongly
punt reminding ono of some old iron-limb ed
douglas of the Olden time. His features were
large and harsh; his complexion dark red, that
OF one bronzed by long exposure and flushed with
strong drink. His fierce, dark gray eyes were
surihounted by thick heavy black brows, that,
when -, .ered into a frown reminded one of a
thunder cloud, as the fla hing orbs beneath them
did OF lightning. His hard harsh face was sur
rounded by 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, fast.
ened at the knees, and morocco slippers with silver
buttons.
In character Major Warield was arrogant,
domincering and vioent-equally loved and fear
ed by his faithful old servants at homc-disliksd
and dreaded by his neishbors and acquaintance
abroad, who partly from his house and partly from
his character, fixed upon him the appropriate
nickname Of OLD HURRICANE.
Inere was however, other ground OF dislike
besides that of his arrogant mind violent temper
and domineerng habits Old Hurricane said
10 be an old bachelor, yet rumor whispered that
there was in some obscure part of the world, hid
den away from human sight, n deserted wife and
child, poor, forlorn and heartbroken. 1t was fur
thcr whispered that the elder brother of Ira War
field had mysteriously disappeared, and not with
out some suspicion Of foul play on the part of the
only person in the world who had strong interest
in his taking Off" However these things might
If Ma n intv tat urri.
cane had an only sister, widowed, sick and poor,
who with her son dragged on wrctched life ill
requted toll, severe privation and painful infrmi-
W, IN dislant city, unaided, unsought and I'M
cared for by her cruel brother
1t was the night Of the last day OF October, lSi 5
The evening had closed in very dark and gloomy
About dusk the wind arose in the northwest,
driving up masses Of lcaden hued clouds, and in n
few minutes the ground was covered deep with
snow, and the air was filled with driving sleet
As this was All IIallow Eve, tho dreadful in
elemency of the wether did not prevent the
groes of Hurricane Hall from availing themselves
of their caprcious old masters permission, and
going off IN body to banjo breakdown held in
the negro quarters Of their next neighbor.
Upon this morning, then, there was left at Hur-
rieane Hall only Major Warfeld Mrs. Continent,
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 tho sound
OF the storm that roared through the mountain
chasms and cannonadcd the walls of 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 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 coolest enjoyment to the self
indulgent old Sybarite, who dearly loved his own
ease. Very comfortable was Old llurricane and
as he toasted his feet and slipped his punch, while
his black servant, W DOL, applied the warming-pan
TO his coy couch, he fairly Rugged himself for
enjoyment, and declared that nothing under
heaven would or could tempt him to leave that
room and that house and 60 out into that storm on
that night. Just he had come to this emphatic
determination he was startled by a violent ringing
of the bell, Ordering Wool to go and see
what was the matter, no hastily arrayed himself
in his sleeping habimcnts and jumped into bed,
determined not to be intuded upon, or to be called
out of his room any account whatever.
At this moment W DOL reappeared,
"Shut the door, you villain DO you intend to
stand there holding open on me all night =
vociferated 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 lin that
had retired"
ayes, Marse, tell him how you were gone to
bed morne'n hour ago, and he ordered me to
come wake you up, and say how it were a matter
of life and death
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
Mos I fetch him reverence up, sar'
yes, wouldn't get up and go down to see
Washington--shut the door, you rascal or I'll
throw the bootjack at your wooden head
Wool obeyed with alacrity and in time to escape
the threatened missile.
After an absence of a few minutes he was heard
returning, attending upon the footsteps Of anoth-
er. And the next minute he entered, ushering in
the Rev. Mr.. Goodwin, the parish minister of
Bethlehem, St, Marys.
How do you do ! How do you do Glad to
see you sir glad to to see you, though Obliged
to see you in bed Fact is, l caught cold with
this severe change Of weather, and took warm
ncgus and went to bed to sweat it of ! You'll ex
cuse me wool, draw that easy chair up to my
bedside fol- worthy Mr. Goodwin and bring him a
glass of warm negus. 1t will do him good after
his long ride
Il thank you, Major warhed Twill take the
seat, but not the negus if you please Tonight
Not the negus Oh, come now, you are jok
ing Why, It will keep you from catching cold
and be o most comfortable nigbtcap, disposing you
to sleep and sweat like baby Of course yor
spend the night with meF
Il thank, you, no must take the road again
In few minutes
Take the road again tonight Why, mar
alive it is midnight, and the snow driving lik,
all Lapand.'
Sir, am sorry to refuse your profered hospi
tality and leave your comfortable roof tonight
and sorrer still to have to take you with me- sale
the pastor, gravely.
Take ME with you No, no. my good sir no.
NO, that is too good joke-ha ha
'Sir, fear that you will find it very seriou.
one Your servant told you that my errand wa.
one Of imminent urgency
YES, something like life and death-.'
'Exactly-down in the cabin the Punch
Bowl, there is an old woman dying
There, knew it. I was just saying there