The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-09-04
"And how long has my house been

| treated us real handsome too"
"Was he the man that built it?"
"Just so. And it's always been call
ed the Blackmann Cottage to this day
and expect always will be, for it new.
er has bean in any other family till now
WHAT'S your name young man ?''
"John Kevin, at your service. But
why do you think I shan't like the
place ." asked John, little uneasily.
"Eh: I'm hard o. hearing. Like the
place? Well, Pm glad you do, proper
glad. Good-by, good-by." And the
old fellow staggered off before Kevin
could ask another question.
Somewhat annoyed in spite of his us.
ual cheerful good sense, he returned
slowly to the house, mentally resolved
to say nothing to his wife of the visitor
or his unpleasant suggestions.
The busy day was over at last, and
the young couple retired early, count
ing upon long nights rest to prepare
them for the fatigues Of the morrow.
But it was out of his first deep sleep that
John Kevin was aroused by his wife
who, shaking him heartily, said again
and again:
"Wake up, wake up, ! say, John.
Some one hasjust ridden upto the house
and is coming in. Hark hear them
talking"
Kevin, thoroughly awake in a nom.
ent, started up and listened. AS Maria
had said, some horseman had evidently
just dismounted before the house and
was now busy in fastening his horse,
talking meantime either to the animal
Or to Il companion.
"Who can ii be at this time of night"
exclaimed John, springing out of bed
and beginning to dress.
"IIark!" whispered Maria, at his
side.
Kevin pauscdand listened. Some one
below had opened the door of the cot
tage, and was talking to the ncw-com-
ers. The next moment the steps of two
men were heard crossing the little porch
and entering the house, while with
their deep voices was mingled that of a
young woman. The whole party en-
tered the lower room at the other side
of the house and closed the door.
"What d0cS this mean: Let us 20
go, foolish child!"
SO John! | am 50 frightened Don't
gow
"Of course | shall. Don't be silly.
to stay alone"
So rcsigning one arm to he clung tc
by his wife, and grasping stout hick
ory stick in the other hand, John Kew
in strobe manfully down the creakm,
staircase and threw open the door of tht
room which Maria had already arranged
rs her parlUr.
The moonlight streaming through
the uncurtainrd window lay white and
cold upon the painted floor, glinmcred
upon the little mirror and cheap glas.
ornaments of the muntle.-helf, ant
showed with sufficient distinctnes.
every corner and nook Of the clean ant
somewhat bare apartment. Bat except
Maria's poor little bits of furniture and
ornaments, ,the moonlight showed moth
ing but four walls, II floor and IL ceiling
each of them much the worse for tim,
and wear.
"Thcrc, you see, Maria, there is moth
ing here. II was all your Imagination, >
said John, rather Grossly, for he had fell
II little frightened, and after the fashion
of men resented ii upon his wife.
"l.ook in the other room, John,
whispered Maria, not in the least reas
sured.
SO John threw open the door OF tn,
kitchen, and afterwards looked into tn
sink-room and down cellar, but look II
he might, nothing was to be seen o
heard but the ordinary sights ant
sounds Ola summer night in the c0un
try.
"Now, the other bedroom, and lhcl
we shall have been the rounds" sal,
he, leading tie way up stairs. The 9th
or bedroom, devoted as yet to baskets
trunks and budget, of goods not We
: arranged in the new home, was rs innC
cent of unlawful occupants as the othe
rooms, and Kevin and his wife return
ed to their owl, room.
at was all yourfancy, Maria. Womcl
are Away -" began John, but was 81
lenocd by his witc'S convul-ivc clutc
! upon his arm, while too frightened {
speak she pointed towards the lowe
room whence now proceeded the sound
. of uprOarOus mcrrimcnt. Bursts {
! laughter, the ringing of glasses, the raj
tie of knive, and forks and loud voice,
e both male and female, mingled in
] disorderly chorus, shaking the yer
e doors and windows of the old hous,
and rcsounding through the chamber
@ as if the rccvllcrs We're actually in it.
y ~ must see what this means :" cA
G claimed John kevin, throwing oil hi
wife, grasp and rushing hcadlong dow
l stairs. But II second search, even NOR
l minute and protracted than the frs
gave no more satisfactory solution, an
although the sounds entirely ceased tn
( moment he approached the room, II
sooner did he close the door than the
recommended rs violently as ever.
The whole night passed in this way
u and only in the gray light of mornin
p did the mysterious disturbance ceas'
:. and allow poor Maria to snatch fey
moments of the repose which she 5
needed. When she awoke, her HUSBAND
o grim and pale, sat beside her,
"Come, dear" said he. "I have
. Iire and some breakfast all ready for YOU
Poor child, how frightened you wen
/, last night but mind this, Maria, d
c not wish you to say one single word {
this to any of the neighbors should the
! happen to come in, Maybe s0mebod