The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-18
THE LOST DEEDS.
AN OLD FASHIONED LOVE STORY.
CHAPTER I.
BY MRS. ANNA YOUNG.

CHAPTER l.
TIKI OLD RUIN-A FEARFUL HISTORY.
traveller paused on the outskirts of pic
turesque village to survey its romantic surround
ings. with the eye Of an artist and the heart of
poet
nook hemmed in by high hills, on which CLEANS of the
fading sunset still fingered.
Through the glen brawled clear, rapid stream
whose waters broke into foam over vast boulders Of
rock. which Obstructed their course, until they
reached fall of about twenty feet in height; from
the foot Of this the rivulet moved smoothly aud
quietly. Half mile below the fall, scattered along
the banks OF the stream, lay the village; above it,
was the spot which most attracted the artistic eye
Of the stranger. This was Norman-French cot
fage. built of the stone found in abundance in tho
valley. but the rough walls were almost hidden by
the ivy that had overgrown them through years of
neglect and decay. few acres of ground stretched
away q level space, which terminated abruptly
ut the foot of the overhanging cliffs. that formed q
picturesque background for the lonely and deserted
home, over which wealth and taste had evidently
once resided.
Fruit trees, grass and flowers grew around the
ruin in wanton profdsoD; and the lettering portico
seemed only upheld by the tenacious ibres of the
ivy. which clasped themselves around its pillars
and hung in large wreaths from its Wondering
Cornice
The outbouses had been bnilt of less substantial
materials TRAN the dwelling; aud they had fallen
utterly to decay, lying in gray masses upon the
Garth, half concealed b. the high grass that grew
The young man paused on the edge of the stream
and gazed around ia increasing wonder that spot
for which nature had done so much should be de-
sorted by man. He removed his hat, and permitted
the bland air of evening to wander through dark,
silky curIs, that shaded high. smooth brow, on
which twenty'thre summers had left no trace of
care or sorrow. 1t was bright hopeful face, full
OF the joy Of youth the golden anticipations of
happy and prosperous future-yet in the flexible
lips, In the deep eyes, was read sensitive nature,
which might be wrought even to madness by un-
Wif iUh EnQ dow in fhe
picture before him. the gorgeous autumn livery of
the forest trees the svery flow Of the waters in the
beauty which asked to be perpetuated. He took
from his pocket pencil and paper, and made q rapid
and mastery sketch, 10 be enlarged and colored
when the means were at his command.
Suddenly voice spoke Immediately above him,
and, with a strong nasal accent said:--
Sure, an you be making pictur of the house
by the Bloody Run, youngster I"
The artist looked around, and saw perched upon
fragment Of rock, sufficiently elevated to enable
him to overlook his work, an old man, who seemed
reduced to the last stages Of poverty. His patched
clothing, battered hat and subdued expression, at
once proclaimed him one of the unfortunates Of
earth-a human being fallen into the dreariness Of
old age, without fortune or friends.
"You are correct" replied the youth, "and I
should like to know why beautiful pot is given
mp to decay and desolaticn?"
"An' sure, sir, it's everybod What ought to know
how that place came to be loft to fall away to no
thing. IT'S the wonder of the valley an eycry
child in can tell you that curse rests on that old
house. I'm poor, beggar body. but it's the sky
ia rather trust TO for covering than shelter my
Self under that roof over there.'
81 am curious to hear the story; pray begin Mt
once, and the history of the house shall win you
Thus stimulated, the beggar began disjointed
story, which we prefer putting in our own words.
Many, many years before, an English gentleman
sought home in the United States; leaving the
more populous portions of the country, he struck
out in the West and iray settled in the village of
Glcnfall. He erected the cottage after plan fur
nished to the architect by himself, and decorated
with paintings and other objects Of art brought
from his home in the Old World
Mi. Lennox was q man OF gloomy and satrwnine
temper, and the three motheress lads who accom-.
panied hun to his new home seemed to have in
heriNd much of his own nature. They grew to
reckless and wild maturity, often treating their
father with extreme unkindress, which at times
was bitterly resented-at others, passively borne.
Scenes OF wrath and violence often occurred within
the cottage and the inmates of Genrall era.
dusy came to look upon its inhabitants as outla VS.
against the peace and order of their village.
At length the old man died, and 6the sons quar-
relied over the succession to the property he had
left. The eldest claimed the chief portion by the
Law OF primOgeniture which prevails in his native
land. The two younger sons denied the equity of
sucn claim IN a land of equal rights; the dispute
grew 80 high that blows were exchanged; the
brethren fought around the paternal hearth till
one stained it with his hearts blood; and, in place
of being appalled, at this catastrophe the two sur
vivors seemed only infamed by tit a more deadly
degree of rage against each other; thew rushed
into the open air, and renewed the combat, the
object OF each one seeming to be to gain the edge
Of the bluff above which the cottage was built and
hurl his antagonist upon the rocks below.
In the struggle they gradually approached the
brink; they grappled in deadly embrace, aud for
many moments il seemed as il the two would fall
Iogether, and share common doom in the waters
below. Both were men Of powerful frame, and
violent passions; neither would yield and the ter
lDie scene was drawing to close, when the elder,
his brother from him with his right hand, and with
his left grasped the body of younr tree that grew
near the edge Of the bluN. e'~"
TIE falling man shrieked as he went down.
s'Ihe curse OF kindred blood shall follow youv,
What he would have further said was drov-ned
amid the rushing waters; his head came in contact
with the Jagged surface Of q rock and he was in
Etantly killed. Blood from the wounds on his body
hinged the color Of the foam. as il broke over the
Tall, and thus the stream had gained its ominous
name.
The murderer did not pause 10 lament the ros,,.
OF his evil passions. He hastily gathered together
tho money and other valuables belonriny Ia h;s
tather; and fed before any legal action could be
taken against him.
Pursuit proved unavalug. The murdered
brethren were buried in the same grave AZ the foot
Of the hills and years of silent desoation hrooSsJ
over the lonely house. The associations connectad
with 1t were so frghtul that no tenant was fnnnd
willing 10 occupy it, though any one might have
taken possession without question, as no attempt
had ever peen mace 10 scl the property.
"a dreadful story, indeed said the yopnr artist
when he had extracted this much from The b1ngling
narrative of the beggar. Ino longer am surpIised
that the place was left TO decay
"But that's not all that can be told Nis.ar
There's another story almos. as bad as the 6rs,
nbout tbs old house. May be you'd like to hear
..By all means; it ia rare to hare two horrors