Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1860-10-20
From the New York Mercury
THE HALR.BROTHER.


TX u EI.
s. is . station on certain we'll
known railroad, u drowsy little Connec,i-
cut village, with quaint old houses, and
broad, winding shady roads, and remark
able stony and uncomfortable beach, or
which the sea washes up with perpetual
murmur.
That men and women are born. live, love
and die there, is fact not TO be disputed
for every Sunday, at the chime Of the
cracked bell Of the old church, that ha.
stood there since the Revolution, salt,
forth from the uncommunicative houses, q
sober population whose very children have
an cd fashioned look.
That they indulge in quiet little tea
drinkings. and even cuttings, frolcks and
apple bees, am also we'll assured but nc
sounds louder than the tinkling of COW
bell and the occasional roll of a wagon
ever disturb the lumberous atmosphere
save when the ''ingine,' rs the good peo.
pls call it, comes laundering along in the
early morning. and again Just about sun
sci, galvenizing the little station house,
for moment, into life.
AT that time group Of idlers generally
collect on the platform to watch the adven,
OF the folks from the city sometimes be.
ing rewarded by the arrival of gay com
Pany, whose department and manners are
sure 10 afford the sober villagers ample
material for scandal and gossip; some
times only by solitary individual, ~ was
the case one pleasant October, when q
young man equipped with valise and a
gun, AMI possessed OF good figure, and
an open, preposessing counteaance, walk
ed brlsk'y up to the loungers, who were
cu:iously scanning him. and demanded
the road to Squire Waldo',, one OF the
magistrates of the place.
Squire Waldo's ?" drawlsd the ndivi.
dual who appeared to consider himssl
more particularly addressed, "a long, sham.
bling, knock-kneed specimen Of humanit,
-" Squire Waldos? !? | guess it's likel,
you are strange in these parts ?"
Yes, retur ned the young man. "Can
you show me the road ?"
Come from fur p
Yes was the impertinent answer.
you been no relation to the Squire
s'pose p
What the deuce do you mean by you,
lmpertinency?' p said the young man, s'err
ly. Either show me the way, or tell NE
OF some one who can, or | shall take il
upon myself to teach you how to answer q
civil question"
"Wal, MS tur that matter, mister" re,
sorted the other, Strengthening up his Ian.
KY hgure, two can play nt tha, game a.
well as one, and | have notion you might
tind can give as we'll as take. But Is 10,
showing you the road. here comes u mar
who can show yout and whats more, car
take you there, too. Halloa! Joshua!-
Uncle Joshua, say here's a gentleman
wanting to 60 to Squire Waldo's!'
Il IN the one" returned the individua
thus addressed, n hale, cheerful.lookins ns
man, Of sixty, with head as white as
snow, but still stalwart and erect, 1--WE
been driving round these parts nigh unto
twenty years, and calculate l ought te
know the 'Squire's place as we'll Is an,
one. ought to been here nfort, but
got a talking down n, -. But you r,
!" a hurry. sir? Jump right in, and vel
be there in five seconds. II the old mare
ain't handsome to look At, she's good
one to travel"
That respectable quadruped, however
manifes'ing no inclination for any pace
beside sort Of dog trot, from which
shouts and ulows failed to startle her ipr
more than moment, Uncle Joshua be
gu'led the tedium Of the way BY pointing
out the various residences he considered
worthy of note, appending to each shor,
history of the inhabitants
There's the Squire s. be concluded
I'VE call it so, though i, is year now since
he's dead and gone. He was good man
but q queer one. He and his wife neve,
hitched horses together, somehow. and
they do say that's the reason why hi.
children have agreed never to marry. Gu.
rious, though, isn't in" But here we
are - they drove through handsome
gateway and up long avenue, shaded b,
tine old treee, to q stone building, which
though only dimly seen in the fast gather.
ing twilight, looked handsome and impo.
sing
In answer to Uncle Joshua's vieorou,
ringing, white headed old negro speedily
appeared at the door, and ushered The
young stranger into q large apartment l.
lighted partly BY tail wax tapsrs, and part.
y BY cheerful fire. blazing in an euor-
nous chimney place. The walls were
wainsco,sd with dark wood, aad hurR with
portraits quain.ly a.tired and painted. The
furniture was painted and unique in form
The carpet and curtains. though handsome
and we'll preserved, we're evidently Of no
recent date. aad even the service Of heavily
carved silver, and 6ns china, .ha, decorat.
ed table already laid for supper, bore
the same stamp Of age and use.
Presently there entered . prim little
woman, erect and stately, in . brocade
gown, curiously fashioned, and an enorm.
Gus fan tina. she used with no little dignity,
while conversing with her young guest
Captain Meriden, she presumed? They
have been expecting him tor the last three
days, and her brother Justice had been
quite anxious about him.
Whersupon entered that psrsosage, 4
gentleman Of . portly and pleasing mien,
bearing in his countenancs thu tokens Of q
hasty. but generous temper.
"Ah! Mcriden, my dear boy, delighted