The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-11-13

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somewhat prolonged parley outside, we
opened our room door, and peeped out.
Two men, apparently much exhaust
ell, stood at the lower end of the hall,
while on the ground at their feet lay a
large, long package. Opposite to them
stood the butler and one of the maid
servants, and stormy discussion
seemed going on between them. Mil
dred, my elder cousin, after few mo-
ments' pause, walked forward and re-
quested an explanation. One of the
men, rather respectable-looking indi-
vidual, thought, advanced toward her,
and making a low bow, began to
speak.
Madam" said he, "we have
brought this bale of goods to your
house by mistake we were to take it
to Mr.. Needham's," mentioning a gen.
tlememan's house about five miles dis
tant, "but have carried it here instead.
We are much exhausted, for we have
walked far, and the night is tempestu-
Gus, and we feel that we can take it no
further. Will you kindly allow us to
leave it here till mornings"
Mildred looked at the butler inquir-
ingly before she answered. The old
servant shook his head, with doubtful
and suspicious air, whereupon the man
who had just spoken observed, hastily {:
owe do not ask for lodging for
| ourselves, madam ; we shall make our
way to the nearest public house. 1t is
only the pack that we wish to leave.
1t is very heavy, and we will call for it
in good time tomorrow. We throw
ourselves upon your compassion"
Let the poor men leave their large
package, Mildred" said Janet, my
younger cousin" and have it put away
in the ante-room until tomorrow.
Mildred assented, and in disregard of
the frowns and ominous looks of the
butler, ordered the pack to be carried
into little room near the entrance.
This was done; and glad and thank
full was I to see the door bolted and
barred behind the formidable strangers.
1t seemed to me a dangerous risk, in
our thinly-peopled household, to admit
two strangers at that time of the even
ing. 1 had noticed, too, that they
glanced about the hall in surreptitious
manner, and especially eyed the dog,
which stood with us in the hall, and
had at first begun to bark, but had been
quickly silenced by low command
from Mildred. [ saw that the maid
servant, who still stood by, shared my
uncomfortable feelings, and she assist
ed very readily, after the departure of
the men, in barring the door, and see-
ing to the safety of the window-fasten-
ings.
Later in the evening met her on the
,I,;, cl, c4l
81 do not like the look of that bun
die at all, MISS" she said; it looks to
me alive, and twice I have fancied I
saw it move-once when it was lying on
the hall floor, and again now, for Ihave
been in to look at it.
/ smiled, and, telling Harriet not
to be whimsical" passed on, and, re-
joining my cousins, I told them what
Harriet had said to me, and proposed
going to take look at the mysterious
package.
Taking q lamp with us, we proceeded
to the little apartment wherein it was
placed. It lay on q wooden settle which
stood on one side of the room. 1t was
enveloped in brown wrapper, was very
long, and thicker at the middle than at
the two extremities. Somehow 1 did
not like the looks of it at all but my
| fears were of such a vague nature that
I did not like to express them. AS we
crossed the hall on our return to the
! sitting-room we encountered Harriet,
who was lowering about with a very
uneasy and mysterious expression on
| her face.
"What is the matter, Harriet ?" ask
ed Mildred.
go, miss, am so frightened about
that pack. I cannot rest, and 1 am
sure that I cannot go to bed while it is
in the house"
"You are very ridiculous, Harriet, y
replied Janet. "I am sure the men
were very respectable looking individu.
als-only two shopmen. We have just
been looking at the pack, and it did no,
move, though l gave it good squeeze
am sure there is nothing in it to alarm
you"
Harriet looked very pale, and SHOOK
| her head very warnlngly.
Ten o'clock came, and my cousins
and / were thinking of betaking our
selves to our sleeping apartments, wher
we heard a door in the hall violently
shut and locked. Immediately after
wards Harriet rushed in upon us, an6
sank on the nearest chair in violent
Mysteries. She was speedily followed
by the butler, looking pompous ant
still as ever, but with certain express
ion of unquiet on his fat, grave face.
"What is the matter, Jones ?" asked
Mildred, starting to her feet ''Tell us
quickly. Do try to be quiet, Harriet.
go, the pack is alive" shrieked Har'
riet.
"Hush, Harriet" said Mildred, calm
ly; let Jones tell us. heard you loci
a door. It was that of the ante-roon
in which this unfortunate pack is placed
I suppose ?"
"1t was, MISS" replied Jones, sen
tentiously [; "and the dog is in thu
hail." he added.
$50 far good" said Mildred, com
posedly. "And how, pray, do yol
know that the pack is alive?"
"You see, MISS" replied Jones,
"ever since that pack has been lef
here, Harriet has been in distracted
state of mind-frightened out of hel
senses, in fact"
saw the thing move when it wa
laid in the hall" sobbed Harriet.
$50 on, JONES'" interposed Janet.
Jones continued:
$50 before we vent to bed, Mis-
Harriet persuaded me to come and TAX
another look at the package. You know
did not at all approve of it's being left
MISS" he added.
Navar mind that aaid Mildred