The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-06-23
TENANTS AT NO. 27!
BY THOMAS sPKIaHT.


to specify here. 1t had stood empty for . con-
siderable time aud such Of the neighbors as
were Of q speculative turn Of mind had begun
to wonder among themselves how much long
er it would remain without . tenant, when
one chill, misty autumn morning, shortly af-
ter daybreak, cab drove up to the empty
house, from which alighted q tall, gaunt, mid
dle-aged gentleman, OF so1dier-like aspect, at
tired In foraging cap and long, grey militia
nv cloak, whose face was half concealed by a
thick tangle Of beard and moustache. once
black, but now becoming wintry with age.
Beneath the shaggy gloom OF his eyebrows
burnt a strange, estless, fitful fire. aud when
he removed his cap for q moment, and the
whole of his worn and rugged face became Wis
ible, the deep burrows came prominently into
view. He held in one hand a small leather
bound box, on the top Of which was a tiny
brass plate, with ''Captain Laurd" engraved
thereon. He gazed suspiciously up and down
the street as he alightsd, at the still undrawn
blinds of the opposite houses; nor seemed
over-well pleased when he beheld q policeman,
moist and red-nosed, in the early morning,
looking on from over the way with q calmly
con templative glance.
Having satisfied himself that no one else was
q witness Of his arrival, Captain Laurd turned
round and assisted a tall slender young lady
to alight, evidently his daughter, from the like
ness which, In spite Of the difference in sex and
age, existed between them who was followed
out Of the cab by tall raw-boned female of
severe aspect, dressed in faded black bomba-
zine, and who held in one hand a pair Of pat.
% ~
cotton handkerchief Captain Laurd, accom-
panied by his daughter, ascended the steps,
unlocked the door, and en- tered the house. The
female in black, whom the captain addressed
by the name of Parish, having paid the driver.
at once followed her master: and the door was
Immediately closed, double-locked, and bolt
ed.
They passed on from one room to another,
slowly, and without speaking; for there is
something solemn in large and empty house,
especially ii seen in the twilight of morning
or evening. It was chill and damp outside
but within the walls seemed as If though they
held prisoner the cold, moist atmosphere Of 4
graveyard, nipping the very marrow Of those
who entered, waking prolonged and hollow
echoes Of their footsteps, and making the loud
ness Of ordinary conversation seem prOfana.
ton of the dim solitude.
"Surely large house, papa!' whispered the
younk lady, when they had seen most of the
rooms. would not a smaller one have salts.
fed our Wantsl Our furniture will not fill
half Of these large rooms" 'Not too large tor
the heiress 70 the Pinchbeck estates," said the
captain, with an extensive sweep OF the arm,
and curl of his grey moustaehe. "Besides, Garry,
never could bear to live in those pottering lit
tie holes where common people contriye some
how or other to exist. Spacious and lofty
rooms are one of the necessities of life to gem
tlsmAn. Aud then again, you know" he added,
mysteriously. laying his hand on her arm,
''they will never think of looking for me here
That's the grand point-tO throw them of the
track till I've had time to complete my case
ana SET them at O006uCS. = OF l0eY VIII SHRINK
from nothing-no, NO !-nothing. nothing!'
HIS sallow cheeks flushed a. he spoke, and a
wild, will-o'-t the wisp fire burned In his eyes.
He turned and left the room; and tramped
a small room 1T the very top of the house.
Opening little closet which was built In the
WALL he placed the box within 1t, and having
locked the door, proceeded to survey the rest Of
Tho furniture arrived In the course Of the
morning. Captain Laurd was restless and
uneasy till 1t was all properly nxed, and the
men who brought it had departed. Seated on
structions to his household.
"You are both Of you aware, !" he began, very
gravely, ''fOr what reason ] have taken this
= house. 1t will continue 70 present from the
let The shutters Of the lower front rooms
will remAia closed, and the upper rooms will
remain a. they are now, empty. You, Parish,
will take mp your quarters In the basement
kitchen you, Garry, In the room to the hack
Immediately over IL; while one Of the small
rooms up-stairs will serve me for q study.
Once, every evening. Parish, aftsr dark, You
will Be- allowed 70 60 out for the purpose Of
buying the needfnl supply Ct provisions; at
which times I will let you out sud in myself
and will teach you how 70 knock 20 that
may recognise you. Oh il Ne can only suc-
ceed " remaining concealed for short time,
short weeks-peshaps even few short days.
The other day (was 1t the other day, though :
almost 1oreet) had the whole case mapped
out In my head but some one interrupted ne.
And It al slipped from me in moment. hut
~ must be found again for IL lies thsrU-t there
I2 ny little box, waiting for me. TO-n0rrew
The captain kept his room for the remainder
OF the day, except when he came down .stairs
70 let PArtse eots and again 70 admit her vhen
~ne Heturno0 win pfOSisions He retired IA
ood - IN early houf, after seeins that All ss,e
doors an0 Window were carefuilv secnre1
Oarty sat mp for short TINA ~ E~~rt
Parish company, for she did NOT e.re =, -.
ai0ne AFTER dark In that gloomy room mn
was left alone. That exemplary 1sms,a
Continued for some time her occspaGasA =,
daxninE the captains socks. till cAieking her.
sets aoedtng oyar the work, ahs took o9her
epeeenesee And put u away
A@sweo11. geostiy AousG, this," she mua.
tereo, eently rneolng her eIho1a ana sfarina
n ne nse s3v too big for our iittls famiiv.
ana don't tel half comlortahle in IL VIZ
cooioet ne caP0tn tAke = cottage n ~
country Hat the4 Was Always rs Vav No
aim-cag tdsas and wayA and little uonay b
1eep tnfm up VITA. And now his pooy Vic
sss eoanf Mools 9sinsrisg ycs.s syssy dsy. 4
wouldn't give tuppsacs Tor ali The papers s.
has IN he box. A eFswsomak ionsiy pIsce. in.
dssd; declare I'm s'npost Affaid 10 % %
stairs 10 hsd." ''s@sS
She Iooksd round with . shuddsr. TAs Ar,
va neeyiy opt; The pnsnuAed caiidll
sne0 M and ehostly Tight through III
room and ihe night ha6 II oWn sonndS. hSsd
Df1ayknoee snch g 6ay1iaht neyer 1872 -
creot1pg Of \ distant deox. ~ fr1nkiinr ~ :
window beNsath The tayisthle 6nassS a ~
Ufn6. ~ e9aNPes)Ae e. moQeo tQHtnl r.