Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-11-19
TIE HOUSE on THE MOOR

There va3 & tumble-down, deserted look
about the entire premises. Taken alto
gether, it was the last place hungry and
weary traveller would have stopped at ;
but night was coming on, and the sky
threatened O severe storm so there was
no choice. Riding directly up to the door
dismounted, and entered without cere-
mony. But if the surroundings were un-
inviting and dismal, how much more
within !
An old woman sat in q broken chair on
one side Of the fire place another Of about
half her age, probably thirty-fve, was
seated in the other corner and two chill
dren, q girl Of about twelve, and boy
about ten years OF age, were huddled to-
gether on the floor close to her who was
evidently their mother, al! wearing q
pinched and squalid look, q terrified air as
if in mortal fear.
"Can I stay here tonight % I asked
eyes, yes, I fancy so,'' was the hest
tating answer of the younger woman,
after looking first at me, and then at the
old one. eyes, [ fancy SO. But there is a
house three miles further on, where you'd
be better off. -
Three miles! The storm would catch
me before I had got half the distance
Hark You can hear the rain Oh the roof
now.
II know'd it was going to be & terrible
night, for"
Here she stopped suddenly, and in ap-
parent confusion.
'Would your little boy be kind enough
to show me where to put my horse ? I
would not like to leave him out in the
rain
500, Willie, and show the stranger"
ST dursent," was the reply and the
child crept still more closely to his mother,
and hid his face in her skirt.
eff You will direct me, will wait upon
myself"
"Ihere is the stable, such as it is,'' she
answered, pointing to the shell [ had al.
ready noticed; land if you will looll about,
you will find some hay and corn. [ would
go with you myself, but"
And again she stopped in confusion.
''There is no need Of it," replied
That there was some mystery connected
with the family was certain. Ihe Ee-
strained, terrified manner OF all IN the
house, and the expression Of the little boy
were enough to convince any one Of that.
Determined to be OF the watch, L re-
turned, and gladly accepted an invitation
to the supper which had been prepared.
81 thought you'd be hungry, sir, said
| the mother.
eyes, long ride over yon moors makes
one SO.
eve haven't much to offer you. But
you are welcome to it, such as il is.
The frugal meal of bacon, eggs and
brown bread was soon finished, end took
my place in the circle gathered about the
hearthstone, and tried to induce conversa-
sation. All my attempts, however, were
futile. A very short answer was all that
[ could gain; and, as one and all were con-
stantly looking around as for the coming
of some one whom they expected, yet
dreaded, [ could not refrain from asking
care you looking for company tonight %
''No, no, but"
Still the same confusion. and sudden
breaking off.
perhaps your husband is"
"No- oh no." And she shudderod
terribly.
eff there is any one you fear," 7 con
tinued, 81 will protect you" And [ dis
played my pistol rather ostentatiously.
''It isn't no MORTAL" mumbled tue grand
mother, speaking for the first time. 1T
isn'5 no mortal; it's spirits"
''Spirits ! Pshaw ! you are not afraid Of
spirits p
MAY be you don't know nothing about
them, sir ?"
had to confess, not only my ignorance
but disbelief, and wa attempting to prove
logically that such things could not exist,
when the storm that had been long gather.
| ing, burst in fury, shaking the house to
the very foundations.
''There I told you SO ' whispered the
old woman. 7 knew he was coming"
she L? Who is he %
was going to ask again for the father
OR the children; but the pleading look OF
the poor woman restrained me. [ could
not believe her guilty of any crime, and
so waited for further developments. And
come they did, with q vengeance.
First, the rocking, jarring Of the house
was renewed, although the storm had
lulled for a moment tnen dog appeared
to howl directly under the window then
| the shutters were slammed, and the doors
| opened and shut violently then there was
| a hollow, mocking laugh in the chimney
| and then humping directly beneath my
chair, as if some one was pounding with a
huge sledge.
| "Don't sit there, sir for heavens sake
| don't |" gasped the poor mother, drawing
herself and children away.