, 1860-08-31
Marcia Hull's Midnight visiters.

porch Of farmer HuIs gambrel-roofed house,
while the front yard was fairly oHerShadCwed by
. noble, wide-spreadng elm; whose bare, brown
limbs kept up, in windy weather; . constant rat.
Ting against the roof and clapboards Of the old
house. The wide gate had been thrown open
for the winter-no danger then Of stray cGttle
coming in to destroy Mrs. Hull's cabbages, Or to
trample down her daughter MaTia's flower beds.
Now the "cattle," with sober old Doll At
tached, stood at side door, while Farmer Hull,
Erasping the lines with one hand and rubbing
his ears with the other, was impatienty awaiting
the appearance Of Mrs Hull. Presently the
good wife came out muf1ed In shawls and furs,
followed by her daughter and Nancy Kroukj .
neighbor's daughter, who was to pass the night
with Marcia.
"Now, Marshy, the stock are all fed for To-
night. Give the pigs pail o swill and . few
ears o. that small corn in the north cTib-thats
all shall be home 'arly in the mornin'," said
Farmer Hull.
:" And, Marshy, dew be careful O. the fire."
said the good housewife, as the husband tucked
the well-worn buffalo robe about her feet, and
the girls, with long calico aprons thrown over their
heads, stood shivering in the keen wintTy air.
"Yes, Marshy, you mind an not burn up the
house," added the father, with ssigniacant look,
which was not unheeded BY her observant COM
panion.
The steady old couple, who rarely left home,
had been called away by tidings Of the danger.
bus illness Of Mrs Hul's brother, who lived in
Q neighboring town. Their house was situated
on crOss-road, in lonely, unfrequented place,
hemmed In BY hills The nearest neighbOr,
Nancy's father, lived quarter Of q mile defiant,
ovet the hin. But Farmer Hull was wont to boast,
In his rarely communicative moods, that he dug
as many dollars from his out-of-the way land as
did those who lived on the sage road. Al erOld
Doll had trOtted off the girls retnyne to the house,
and Nancy, with hef usual bluntnes 9, inquired
What made your fathet look 80 KNOWN, Marsh,
when be told you to bS careful o firel"
because" replied thS incautious Marcia, "be-
cause there's nearly thousand dollars in his
desk, and-and-<"
S6esopped and bIdshsd; ;while the quick-witted
Nancy completed the sentence. Z And that's 70
be your wedding pbftioni Marsh, Own up; !
know you're engaged to Lindord Aliens son."
al nay never be thaffivd," replied Marcia,
gravely, though father did say that was TO be
mine on my wedding day:"
"GoOdnessi wish MY hther'd tell me that /;
hut he never will get cent ahead 50 long as
he's obleeged to take land on shares nd my
three gret shif-less brothers hang round hum
doin' Dothin,," and Nancy sighed. Her brothers
were known IS idle voting men, eating their
iather's hard-earned bread, and ahording him
no assistance. Hunting, fishing and trapping
were their chief occupations, and BY these meaus
they obtained enough to dress themselves well,
Tor they were rather welllOoking, and took great
pride in their personal appearance. Say,
Marsh, !" said Nancy, flying from one theme TO
another, as was her won't "Why didn't you
marry NormeP know you've mittSned him
morn once, cause arter he's been here, he's
come home is cross nd full o. growls IS . bear,
an theered him say once that that high ieelin'
George Allen never'd git yO., not while he'd lie
ter prevent it I tell ye, Marsh, shouldn't like
NOrme KrOuk's iIl-will--he's ayful when his
tempers up, II he is my brother"
Marcia, busted in preparing supper; did not
appear TO notice these remarks Of her laxative
companion She garniShed her table with cold
roast fowl cream biscuits, rich, sweet butter, and
delicious honey bursting from the comb. Nancy
Krouk, used to plain, even scanty fafeat home did
ample justice 70 this excellent little supper.
Your folks do have good things, Marsh, !" she
said, pausing In the midst Of her gastronomic
labors to take brea.h.
After supper, Nancy began to grow restless.
She sat BY the stove knitting striped mitten,
and the blue and white yarn got strangely in
termixed, In her uneasy state Of mind, Marcia
was too busily engaged IN washing the dishes,
and putting things to rights, t0 notice the con.
duct Of her friend. At length, Nancy thrust
her work into her pocket, and arose, with the
air Of one who has fesClVed upon some decided
course. Marsh, I'm goin' hdm," she said, tax.
ing her hood ana shawl from peg In corner
"Goine home !" REPEATED Marcia, il surprise.
But you win come right back, won't you,
Nancyf" she added.
mo; shant stay an night in house where
there's 80 much money, Il amt safe said Nancy,
switching on her shawl
"ohi Nancy, there's M daneer-no one
knows" began Marcia. Then her blooming
cheek grew pale, as she suddenly recalled her
own imprudent statement but she oVercAme
the sudden fear and went on. "No danger at
ALL You foolish thing whoeverheard Of robbery
and hOdss-breaking in these partsi Stay, there's
= dear girl | shall be 50 lOnely.-all alone this
long, dark night"
But Nancy was memorable. She was rough,
uncultivated girl, fun Of strange speeches and
eccentric actions very unlike the gentle and lady.
like Marcia but the latter believed her . good,
right-minded girl In reality, and cherished sort
Of friendship for her. Indeed, there was little
In common between these two girls, but Marcia's
isolated home afforded but small opportunity for
more eongenial society. Marcia stood at the
window and watched Nancy trampling over the
hard, erispy snow banks, until an intervening
hill hid her from view. Then, as twilight was
fast approaching, she set herself at work to
tortily her domicil. She examined the iasten-
ingsof every door and window. She even went
up stairs with hammer and nails and secured
every window above. Farmer Hull, unlike some
mon, allowed bis wife and daughter free access
to his money drawer; but be was sufficiently
well acquainted with their thrifty habits to know
they never would knowingly turn one penny. Of
his hard earnings 10 Z useless purpose. in obe-
dience % somO unaccOuntabIe impulse, Marcia
Withdrew the eapacious leather pocket book con-
taining her hthsris notes and money, dropped u
into her dress pocket and retired 70 rest without
undressing. She was nervous and afraid, for
de had seteF before been lsR alone al night.