The weekly Butte record., 1866-04-21
STAPLEFORD GRANGE.

nearQ Tue IOiiOWluS uatTatNc a. uihoO'
party in country house about Eve miles from
the place where the events referred to occurred,
and it was related to me by the chief actress
10 it. Cissy Miles-a pretty lady-like girl of
twenty, the daughter of the rector of the par
ish 10 which the Stapleford Grange is situated:
1t was the Saturday afternoon before Christ
mas day, nearly two years ago, when my six
brothers, all younger than myself, and | were
skating on our squire's fish pond. We had
been skating since dinner and it was not till
the wintry daylight was beginning TO wane
that the recollection rushed across me that !
had entirely forgotten to do commission my
mother had given me in the morning. This
commission was to walk to the Grange. big
farm house, and bespeak some geese for dinner
on New Years day. My mother had said de-
cidedly, Those geese must be ordered TO day,
Cissv," so | knew that should have to go; al
though the Grange was mile off, although it
was very cold, and darkness was coming on,
and although l was terribly afraid of big
black dog which was chained up just in front
of the Grange back door.
Who'll go with me to the Grange?" !
called out quickly, as this remembrance &C
Cured to me, setting down and beginning TO
uustrap my skates I've forgotten all about
the geese, and mamma said | was to order
them today"
No one answered The next day was Sun
day, and it might thaw before Monday. Every
boy, big or little, seemed laudably desirous of
making the most of present opportunities
II daren't 60 by myself" called out, in
pathetic tone it would be quite dark before
got home again.
Tell the truth, Cis,H called out Charlie, a
quick, good natured boy of fifteen, "and say
you're afraid of Jip. Never mind I'll go
with you, if you must 60" And he Joined
me on the bank, and proceeded to take off his
skates.
Thanks TO all my brothers, / was pretty
good runner, and We sped across the squire's
fields and through the narrow lane toward
the Grange as fast as possible. When We
yard We slackened pace little, aud when We
got into the big court yard itself we were
walking almost slowly.
"How dreadfully lonely it looks, Charlie ?"
! said, almost with shiyer at the desolate as
pect of the place, which had been grand gen
tlemans house forty years ago, but had been
suffered to fall almost into ruins. Il am glad
I'm not Mrs johnson. particularly as she has
no children, nor anybody to keep her company
when Mr.. johnson is away"
"Well, don't YOU stop and prose to her for
ever such time, Cis. do you hear p retuSued
Charlie good humoredy.
Jip did rot greet US with bis usual noisy
welcome and there was no souud of any sort
about the place except the gobbling Of some
turkeys in the rear of the farm buildings. We
went up and Knocked at the door. and when
turned round, observed that Jips kennel
which stood exactly opposite, in line with
the front of the house, waa empty.
"Wbere can Jip be p said Il thought
they never let him loose : and | walked for.
ward few steps, and became aware that the
dogs chain and collar were lying beside the
kennel. stood for moment or two wonder
ing. while Charlie getting impatient al Mrs.
Johnson's non appearance, knocked again st
the door, Suddenly some marks of blood on
the tagged pathway in front Of the kennel
arrested my attention.
"What can it be, Charlies' said. in g
whisper.
II don't know Charlie returned, thought
fully ''poor Jip come to grief perhaps. 1t:
odd Mrs. johnson dosen't come think III
60 on voyage of discovery stay here till
come back; and he pushed the door further
open.
"No, let me go to-" l said, hastily. hal
frightened l AIN coward at the sight o
blood.
"Well, don't make row then; )" and VI
entered together.
There was big blazing FIRE 10 the crate