The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-03-11
story OF "a Deserted BEansion.

situated on what is known as the Madi~
son road, may be seen a large and fine
house, standing in the middle OF extensive
pleasure grounds, bearing The marks Of
having been the abode OF persons Of taste
and wealth. The once beautiful park
nov, however, presents the appearance of
having been the camping ground of at
least "A regiment Of demoralized soldiers.
go numerous are the traces everywhere Of
fires and wanton hacking among the trees,
shrubs eycrgreens.
Where once were flower beds and rare
plants, now browse stray cattle and pigs
by the score root TO their noses content
on the soft turf Of the lawn. On ap-
proaching the house. a still more terrible
scene of ruin may be found. The hall
doors stand wide open, and as the stran-
ger enters several cattle calmly survey
him from their comfortable positions on
the drawing room floor. The house is
three stories high and surmounted with a
cupuIa. The rooms are spacious and nu-
merous, and were finished in the best pos
sIJle manner when built. Windows open
10 the floor, and consisting Of large and
valuable panes Of glass, oppose little or no
destruction to the cattle and pigs, the for
mer generally taking sash and all with
them, when leaving in haste
On the floor of what has been evident
y The library, tramps or mischevous boys
have lighted fires whose flames were fed,
from appearances, by the doors Of cubs
boards, stair railings, and other small
pieces of woodwork of the house. In
many places the floor has been burnt all
most through, and bow The house bias
escaped from fire Is wonder. With
carbonzed ends of wood, hideous and re-
yoiting pictures have heen drawn upon
rHc pure, white walls, together with words
Of indecent character.
The plaster centre ornaments Of lhe
rooms have been the mark for the intruders
TO shy empty bottles and stones at, aud
all are greatly damaged. Door-knch-,
bells, and their wires and pulls, water
faucets, the paraphernaIia of the baths
room, and anything Of a movable nature,
have been wrenched from their fastcEinas
and carried away Window shutters
nave disappeared, thoulh probably burnt
fuel and not taken from the house -
HIch scene Of rack ard desolation can
seldom he found within fhirtv miles Of tie
'iy oi New "Ti. o'e Hl-ht imagine
Sicn wreck among '"e a'-oE"'"n oi 'ha
snIth, but in the prosperous north il is
unparalleled
The house has lie SAD story. Boil. b1i
" &c" years ago " Llsse" In'" ihe hands
-! d "e"i"'E Ne" A'k merchant VINO
,H''' ever t'''e'''"' 10 maze IL Il h''ae oil
,7""'y' no expense was spared ana me
house ana grounds became noted Tor their
appropriate belongings. HE mistress OF
'Ae mousse Tue "Iie "f It's owner, unioEiu~
na'eIy mere slche"ei and oied. Ihc
l,len"S GA'heied TO attend The funeral, and
me bouy was borne from us bea1tliu.
'",'"'y poIie 10 Inc cemetery he las
40 leave me mousse was as owner, and be,
."Fn'"s 'He Key Ia the lock- isi' l, just a.
'"' :" ''' t'''' "e "''-Noo'' c'"mot-
-. ior u'y' lor entrance D"I no one was
"''"'h' "na a" attempts 10 persuade us
""ieF' VINO ma" gone 10 New York, i"
'''u' u - ~ were "''''"'''lS' -a''ei"P'S
't', mace J" ''n' OF purchase II, Ont TO
''"T' pan """'' 'Ae'r owner accede--
So'1 a. an 'A9 GROUND. should be sold
Ie'n1ie't' vi it'' E,Iii' lie iol~
"aue me hei2"o'TS 10 enter Tie house.
Ihe thieves IN The ncighborhood soon
una Out the rich field, and for nights
p'Hage! II. he conS,a3les hearing OF
ms lald IN ""it IN ihe house one might,
ana arrested three men as they were roll
lns up hns pieces OF carpets for ,he par
pose OF taking them away The owner,
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