Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-10-12
VOLUME XXVI.

! mOurnarS at a funeral, marching with mill
b tary precision along valley not far dis
tant, and filing off to small wood, where
: they were IN the habit of holding an al
most nightly rendezvous. OF attacks upor
: nelghbOrlng mansions we continually heard
: but as in every instance these were fol
arms, and only attempted where such were
e known to be, we felt more cquanimity than
r might have been supposed considering
! there was so much of disturbance around
. US.
Sure everybody knows that we don't
keep popgun in the house." aunty would
say, and what need we mind ?'
She never allowed even a servant to
have firearms of any kind, declaring that
she thought it the safest way. We had to
besure, such precautions taken as at the
period were universally adopted strong e
iron bars fixed outside to all the lower win
dows, and SO close that, as Parks observed,
a mouse couldn't get in or out" and those
gave our habitation very much the appear
ance Of a jail and, besides, new and
more substantial internal fastenings were
procured for the back and front doors and
to these Aunt Osborne triumphantly point
ed when demonstrated with on our lonely
position, and reminded, moreover, that she
was well known to be wealthy, and pos
sessed Of large quantity of plate and
jewels Of great value, and that in these
troubled days desperadoes of every de-
scriptlon were going about in plenty so
that an attack upon US, even though we
had no firearms TO attract the cupidity Of
the rebels, might nevertheless be by no
means an improbable thing Once or
twice aunt thought of lodging the plate
and other valuables in the bank until the
present storm blew over, but was always
dissuaded by Parks, who maintained that
there was no fear III the world y nor, III
deed, did we ourselves entertain the least
One day | well remember. Mrs. Osborne
! had gone to pay distant visit, and would
not be back, she told ms, till late. Parks,
of course, had driven the carriage. Mrs
/ Gwynne, our cook was at the time III the
| hospital OF the town, slowly recovering
from a long and severe attack Of fever
Susan had undertaken to d. all the work
during the cooks illness, so as to obviate
| the necessity Of any temporary hand being
| employed, as my aunt disliked new people
about her in the servant line, so that the
housemaid and myself were the only occu-
pants of the house had a very bad cold
and was unable to accompany my aunt, as
| | otherwise should 1t was near the end of
the day-a dull, gloomy one in the month
| Of November. | was standing close to the
window, reading, trying to catch the last
remnant Of waning light, and deeply alb
sorbed in my book | was suddenly start
! led from my pursuit by dark shadow from
/ outside quite blocking up the window. |
gazed in terror, and saw a man on the
| grass-plot just under the easement looking
earnestly in. All the front windows were
! low, reaching to the ground. The book
dropped from my hand as | hastily retreat
! ed, and with difficulty suppressed a scream.
He made a motion to me with his hand, put
his finger on his lip to intimate silence, and
pointed to the hall door, implying that he
wished me to 60 TO it On closer scruti-
nv recognized, TO my surprise, the Roman
Catholic priest of the parish, person l
! had several times met upon the road, and
/ who had always seemed very civil | had
heard too that he was a man greatly be
loved by the poor OF his own flock Some
what reassured, vet still nervous and excl
ted, and curious TO know the object Of this
unusual and late call, hastened to the
door in obedience to his sign. When |
opened ii he seemed disappointed. as in the
/
me for my aunt.
is Mrs Osborne in 2" he asked, in
| low, hurried voice.
/ No Sir" | replied, but am expect
/ ing her every moment"
Oh, indeed y And then he stood On
/ the step as if in thought for minute
" Who else is in the house Z" he asked, alb
ruptIy-
/ the house maid Mrs. Gwynne is in the
hospital"
! Yes, know she is just as well per-
haps Look, young lady" he resumed,
! q get me a bit of paper and I'll write the
message | want to leave for Mrs. Osborne,
and be quick, please
If you'll come this way" | replied, 'I'll
get it for you" and he followed me into the
/ sitting-room \ sheet Of letter paper was
/ lying on the table
Here this will do :" and he took it up,
and tearing it across folded one half Of it
( into the form Of note. 81 have pencil"
/ he said and taking book in his hand
as a support for the note he went up to
the window, and with his eye close TO
the paper to get the full benefit Of the last
CLEAN Of light he wrote few lines rapidly,
standing with his back 10 me he then
turned round and said, in the same sharp,
F.. quick tones that he had employed from the
I first, 20 must seal this; can you make me
/ out bit Of wax :" Isupplied him at once,
and twisting up the remainder Of the sheet
of paper into a match he lit it at the fire
( Hold this moment if you please" |
held the burning paper for him, and as its
transient glare fell upon his features while
he sealed the note ! observed that his usu-
al fuddy and good humored face had au
anxious, care worn aspect, and that he ap-
peared pale and thin. A he looked up
and caught my eye curiously fixed on him,
. " Take care" said he, you'll burn your
fingers = and taking the nearly consumed
paper match from M hand he flung it un-
tremendously Oh the carpet, extinguiShing
il with the heel of his boot. You know
who am, suppose 2" he inquired.
+" Yes | replied, '' Father Malachi"
" Well" said he, sinking his voice into
an eminouS whisper, besure to give that
note into Mrs. Osborne's own hand she's
your aunt | believe"
"Yes."
!, And, young lady" he continued, I'll
4. l..