Newbern weekly progress., 1862-05-17
stFsos tie Ap.ds.n,unIsn.
OWLS HOLLOW:
The 1}sspfsa. Bapsiop.
THE REIGN OF TERROR
EASTERN VIRGINIA.
A STORY or
BY ADJUrAEr NowBRAY.

- kuOW III UooI, htA+ abt Il CAL lluAR-
inc that would be the result of dis
appointment in such character as his.
But forewArned, forsarmed, you know.
Father is quiet now, and mother is
aware Of his hurt. She bears it 80 pa
tiently too, and is quite resigned to
! leaving, indeed wishes she had taken
my advice. That was what We were
talking of tonight, before tea, but she
could not believe the danger was SO
imminent. If it were not for father
We could start Immediately.
But Andrew, whore could we gol'
ITO New York. Uncle Richard
lives there ~
/" Yes, but how cosld we got what
should we do with our house, our fur
niture, and the servantsa We never
could take them ALL
No, sis that is quite true. We
must leave everything if we CO.
EyerythingP exclaimed Minnie, in
q voice Of dismay.
Everything but absoluts neeessSr
riss. We might take one or two of
the blacks with as, perhaps, bnt what
could We do with them? We have
not an overstock of money. Besides,
the servants will take good care of the
property; we can trust thein-they
love ms and will not see 9 wronged."
sOh, but to leave this dear home
perhaps to meet peris on the way, and
father and poor little Mac both wound
ed
Another ring sounded at the door,
Jubo. came in directly after and hand
ed Andrew note. He opened it,
His face lost all color.
What is it, Andrew Oh, tell me.
i can bear anything, now, indeed |
can" .
Minnie, they give US only twenty
four hours to leave town-the wretehes
the brutesI S=
Minnie grew very white her face
was blanched with dumb horror.
What shall we dol' she gasped. 10
sLet me think let me think =
muttered Andrew, who was tramping
back and forth in nervous haste, a
spot red a. blood on either cheek.
Eor some moments there was fateful
silence. Then Andrew came and sat
on the lounge next to Minnie.
Il have thought of something,S he
said in a hoarss whisper; 'but every
thing must be done tonight, and |
fear you have not the strength to help
me-. e...r. - -.
Yes, yes-tell me-, cried Minnie,
battling with her girlish fear. Il am
stronger than you think. Anything
to save father
THAT was what l was thinking Of;
ajourney might be fatal to him. Min
ME, we must go to "Owls Hollow"
A low, but faarfraught scream
issued from Minnie's pale lips. Owls
Hollow-the terror OF her childhood
the dread of the neighborhood-
whose wierd sounds and .urearthly
lights had frightened even the hardy
black teamsters, SO that they would
20 q mile ont of their way to avoid
the. sight of the gloomy house. A
haunted, wicked, dreary place, sur
rounded with wild associations-thea
tire of dark deeds, of bloody tragedies
go to Owls Hollowf whispered
Minnie 'Oh Andrew take Father
thereP
Yes, Minnie; to save life. Ny plar
is 70 have cart loaded Immediately
with such things as we shall want, anc
they must be- barely those, so as t
cause no suspicion, for very probably
the house will be searched when w
are gone. You must 90 and tell moth
era cot-bed must be immediatel,
prepared for father-and we will only
take one servant, aud depend upon th'
rest for aid by stealth
ANDREW it will be useless; no
one Of the people would 20 near Owl
Hollow, If il was to save their lives
You. know how Superstitious they are.
They will do great deal for us,
said Andrew, gloomily but whethe
they will or not we must go. There
not q moments time to lose; ever.
risk must be run but this dreadful on
Of meeting the mob. That would b
sure death, and We know not whs
worse
Il am ready said Minnie, but eve
as she spoke, she shuddsred. 'Ho'
can We get away, Andrew ! We AZ
probably watched
Easily. We can break down III
fence at tho end OF the back lot. Th
trees and the darkness will shelter =
sufficiently for mils-after that, W
are clear Of the town. Come, courage
my little sister, you must be fathc
mother, aud all, in this emergenc.
And then we shall be together, ant
trust me, but wo shall find way
escape as soon as sthOr is better.
Is not so bad down at the old hollow
I've been there often.
yes but you've heard those awfl
noises, and seen Sights that you couI
never account ior, said Minnie, a
most tcarfully,
>. ..TFus; but always under the infll
ence Of a certain feeling, not exact
fear, perhaps, but a childish and n
founded superstition about the y