The mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1863-1943, 1865-07-08
The RED CROSS.
) Nv nyss>NvNVN~

heTNetOuS LOT tTuI0. buI TeceLVeU tue
story from my mother. woman Of singu-
larly caI@ Judgment IS veil % powerful
end acAte; intellect. NaBY Of the faets
came within the sphere Of her own per-
SOnal knowledge, aHdtheyAre also kaown
to Others. still living, who though pow I'D.
vanced 10 years. have not forgotten the
mysterious terror that from time 70 time
convulsed the inhabitants Of that quiet
New England village, In which the events
took place, and even extended thvougb oil
the country fer miles around. myself,
therefore, give the story full credence, as
l think any other person would do. on the
same proofs.
There was 10 Chichester . very old
mansion, built by one Of the earliest set
tiers, and long deserted. 1t was called the
Hall, merely, though, 10 old times. it had
been known as Courtney Hall, after the
name Of its founder, who, the son and
heir Of q wealthy British commOner, had
quilted his native land, partly in spirit
Of adventure, and partly from desire to
enjoy 90 Independence Of religious opln'
ion which induced 90 many persons to
leave behind them the luxuries and privi-
leges Of their once happy old English
homes.
At his fathers death Mathew Courtney
had transferred the wealth be inherited to
the country Of his adoption, had erected
this splendid mansion, and brought thilh-
er . beautiful English girl, to share his
hoaae. II,
Here generation after generation of the
Courtney's we're born, lived and died, un-
I'll the breaking out Of the American Rev
OluEiOn, u ben the then existing repFesen-
tAtve Of the family, with his younger
brother, being decidedly loyal in senti-
ment, left their home and took voyage to
England 70 await, in the land Of their fore.
fathers, the settlement Of the pending diff.
6eUltieS-
They never returned again, but lived
aud died abroad. The estate, however,
escaped conffScation, and son Of the elder
Courtney finally inherited it, He return
ed 20 America, occupied the Hall for q
year or two, and then died, never having
married. There were no direct heirs, and
the distant relatives in England, to whom
after much legislation the estate finally
lapsed, never visited it. For more than
thirty years the mansion was deserted.
An agent managed the estate, and trans
mitted its revenues to q celebrated law
firm in London, who acted for the owners
And gradually eyen the memory Of tbG
4 COurtneys died out in Chichester.
Ii was in the early part Of the present
century, perhaps about tue year 10. OF
soon after the war with Great Britain, that
Chichester was electrified by the tidings
that some one was coming to live in the
old Hall.
Once more its ancient doors we're un
barred, and its windows thrown open to
admit the air and light Of day. A city
architect came down and examined the
premises. then followed an army Of car
penters, painters, plasterers and GLACIERS,
and, after much reSoUnding din and bus
tie, in a marvellOusly short time the build
ing Was ready for occupation. The shrub
berry and gardens were then put under the
supervision OF competent persons, and
reduced from forest wildness to the trim
NEST order; the ancient stables were re-
paired and supplied with horses and eQui.
pages, and then loads of substantial and
handsome furniture, with a wonderful
array Of domestics, began to arrive.
Lights blazed from the long closed win
dowS At night, and the shrill sounds Of fe'
male voices woke the long unused echoes
Of the old Hall All was hustle within
for many days, until order had come Out
of the household chaos, and at length, even
to the 6res in the dressing rooms, and
the table magnidcently laid in the great
dining room, all vas ready for the myste'
TiOuS occupants.
They came just as the twilight of o
spring evening vas settling in purple
gloom upon the hills. A beautiful lady.
wcnderously small and fair, and clothed
and hedged about with dignity, and six
lovely children, who, wilb their nurses
and attendants, flIed two carriages that
toiled up the long ascent If the village
street, with gentleman on horseback ri
ding beside the leading one.
1t vas known, ere this, that this was
the family Of the late General Charles
Courtney, . distinguished East Indian Of
ficer, who held high official appointment
in the East, and had died suddenly just
after returning to his native land, where
he had hoped TO enjoy the repOse and hon.
ors he had 50 richly earned.
Conjecture was busy with the cause Of
Mrs COurtney's removal to America, and
to this remote and long neglected family
estate. 1t was known that she had pined
for years, in India, for her English home
and Why she had deserted it, after only
two years. residence, was inexplicable
thus removing her children from the ole
scenes and the society among which she
had so long desired TO place them, and de
priYing herself, in her lonely and widowed
condition, of the counsel and presence o
her own natural friends.
That she had . reason, and something
more than . mere caprice, no one could
doubt; but for once the curiosity Of tn,
gossips of a New England village vas baf
fed.
Mrs. Courtney's. brother, Sir Georg
Leighton, remained her guest for few
months, until she was finally settled II
orderly possession Of her new home ant
estate. and then he left her to return t
his own personal duties
Hitherto Mra Courtney had paid nj
visits, but Immediately upon his departur
she began to retarR the ciVilities Whlci
she had received .frpm the leading tamilie
Of Chichester and its vicinity. It va
4 evident that she proposed no intimae,,
with any, but she was scruputously clv'
to all, and each month it was her habit
give a stately dinner, to which in success
sive parties, all her new acquaintance
: we're invited. And so. for several years
. her ealm and peaceful life glided AFsy.
The wife of the clergy yman under who's
ls ministrptiOns Mrs. Courtney st, was tn
only lady admitted with any degree
familiarity 70 her acquaintance; and