Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-02-15
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STAPLEFORD GRANGE.

heard the tOllawlng narrative at a din
egparty IN country house about five
mics from the place where the events re-
grd to occurred, and it was related to
by the chief actress in it, Cissy Miles
pretty, lady-llke girl of twenty, the
4ughter Of the rector of the parish in
vlcn Stapleford Grange is situated
1t was the Saturday afternoon before
-dstmas-day, nearly two years ago, when
\ ny SIX brothers, all younger than myself,
nd were skating on our squire's fish
.gad. We had been skating since dinner,
sltit was not till the wintry daylight was
ginning to wane that the recollection
N rsDed across me that | had entirely for
gotten to do a commission my mother had
.rel me in the morning This commits
q was to walk to the Grange, big
1rhouse, and bespeak some geese for
-ler On New Years Day. My mother
d. SAID, decidedly, Those geese must be
'ared today, CIssy," so | knew that l
mid have to go although the Grange
H 'ls mile off, although it was very cold,
. -l darkness was coming on, and although
was terribly afraid of a big black dog
T-cl was chained up just in front of the
range back-door
Who'll go with me to the Grange 2" |
4.ed out quickly, as the remembrance oc-
Ied to me, sitting down and beginning
mstrap my skates /" Ive forgotten all
uut the geese, and mama said | was to
der them to-day"
No one answered The next day was
,Aday, and 1t might thaw before Monday.
VERY boy. big or little, seemed laudably
-'rouS OF taking the most of present op-
nunities.
i daren't go by myself" l called out, in
athletic tone " it would be quite dark
@re got home again"
Tell the truth, Cis," called out Charlie,
-ch, good natured boy of fifteen, "and
y! you're afraid of Jip. Never mind I'll
Dr with you, If you must go" And he
..l n me on the bank, and proceeded to
se If his skates.
Hanks to all my brothers, l was a pret-
goa runner, and we sped across the
"'rS t7lds, and through the narrow lane
n. a14 the Grange, as fast as possible
-.- We got to the last field, which joined
aEm-yard, we slackened pace a little,
W - When We got into the big courtyard it.
e" We were walking almost slowly.
.l 10" dreadfully, lonely it looks, Char
sad, almost with a shiver at the
Ie aspect Of the place, which had
.-4 grand gentleman's house forty years
at lad been sUff-red to fall almost IN
."DS " am glad Pm not Mrs. John
NJ PARTICULARLY as she has no children,
4,-y body to keep her company when
' ,,. %.A0Son is away"
vel, don't you stop and prose to her
ever such time, Cis, do you hear 2" re-
--.' ,l-aarIie, good-humoredly.
q "1 not greet us with his usual noisy
'1e and there was no sound of any
.'.ut the place except the gabbling
ZIG turkeys IN the rear Of the farm
We went up and knocked at the
'.l when | turned round, | observed
5 Kennel, which stood exactly op-
]" line with the front of the house,
empty.
o"eFe can Jip be 2" | said, thought
.,. never let him loose ;" and | walked
.,,r 1 a a lew steps, and became aware
~' oo9 chain and collar were lying
... 0e kennel | stood for moment
,.,. w.: wondering, while Charlie, getting
e. ''.1' at Mrs. JOhnson's non-appear-
A"Vcktd again at the door. Sudden
i s.r;, a' marks of blood on the tagged path
Il -,.'r ~ ''oht Of the kennel arrested my at
+. .ra. "4"t can it be, Charlie ?" I said, in a
..r won't know" Charlie returned, thought
M h.45 POO poor Jlp come to grief, perhaps.
% o., NFS, johnson dosen't come; | think
M , VI voyage of discovery stay here
hitler ro,,s ar, back y and he pushed the door
tl, ttgs,eoaI lG' me go to,"I said, hastily, half
sGj "'o. l am a coward at the sight of
Uttered S',, ID, don't make row, then :" and we
was a big blazing fire in the CRATE,