Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-11-26

thoughtfully into the ERE that bazed on the
hearth before us.
40, something narrowing aud thrilling,
fearful and shocking aud above all, true
there's a dear nunte!' | exclaimed, as
drew closer to her side, and gazed sbuIder.
ingly around the large, gloomy room.
A little pause ensued, while Auntie gazed
meditatively into the Gre, and | watched
her face in eager hope Of the exciting tale
that was coming.
was about sixteen, Aunt Betsey began
at last,) when | was invited to 20 aud stay
with some relatives 10 Sussex, whom had
never seen. My life in this old house
where | was born and have lived all my
days-was somewhat monotouous. | was
a lively girl then, and wild with delight at
the prospect Of a change of scene. ! looked
auxiously for my parents permission to ac-
cept the invitation.
After some deliberation, the desired per-
mission was given SO, early one morning,
accompanied by my father set out IN
high spirits for my destination, arriving
there in the pleasant twilight Of an autumn
evening
Our friends gave us a cordial reception.
Squire and Mrs Oldham we're staid. good
tempered, rather elderly people, and their
two daughters girls Of eighteen and TWEEN
ty-as merry and as wild as | could pos.
sibly desire. Their names were Mildred
and Janet.
The house. standing on its own grounds,
and surrounded by lofty trees, was old aud
spacious, with many long corridors and pas
sages, and plenty Of rooms of all sizes aud
descriptions. can recall so well the great
entrance hall 1t was Of immense size and
gloomy, aud from it ascended a wide stair
case which led to an open gallery above.
Many merry evenings have spent in that
old hall
During my stay with my Sussex friends,
Mr. and Mrs. Oldham went to spend few
days at a gentlemans house few miles
distant from their OVID, aud it was while
they were absent that the alarming occur.
renee am about to relate to you took place
The household consisted Of the butler and
four maid.servants. The coachman, who
lived in a cottage on the grounds about
quarter of a mile distant, was now absent
with his master aud mistress The butler
was a pompous, stately, middle aged man,
given somewhat to patronize, though always
respectful in his manners to us young peo-
pie he evidently considered the safety of
the house as his peculiar charge, aud was
very particular in the extiDgushpg of fires
and in looking after the safety Of the fast
enings Of the doors and windows
We had heard of one or two robberies
being committed in the neighborhood; but
we did not feel nervous, and my cousin
placed great dependence on huge black
dog which always slept at night in the ball
One evening" believe it was the third
after Mr.. and Mrs Oldhams departure
my cousins and | were sitting chatting
merriy around the fire in large room
which opened from the hall--I thiuS it was
about seven o'clock when there came o
violent pull at the front door bell, and az
ter a short delay the butler answered it,
Presently, hearing a somewhat prolonged
parley outside, We opened our room door,
and peeped out.
Two men, apparently much exhausted,
stood at the lower end of the hail. while on
the ground at their feet lay large long
package Opposite to them stood the hut.
Ter and one Of the maid servants, aud
stormy discussion seemed going on between
them. Mildred, my elder cousin, after
few moments pause, walked forward aud
demanded an explanation. One of the men,
rather a respectable looking individual,
thought, advanced toward her, and making
low bow began to speak.
Madam" said he ave have brought
this bale of goods to your house by mistake
we we're to take it to Mr.. Needham's, men.
tioning gentleman's house about fl ye miles
distant, but have carried it here Instead
We are mach exhausted, for we have
walked far, and the night is tempestuous;
wS fael that we can take it no further viii
you kindly allow us to leave it here till
morning."
Mildred looked at the butler inquiringy
before she answered. The old servant
shook his head with a doubtful and suspc.
ious air, whereupon the man who had Just
spoke observed hastily;
ave do not ask lodging for ourselves,
madam; we shall make our way to the
nearest public house. 1t is only the pack
we wish to leave. 1t is very heavy and we
will call for 1t early in the morning. We
throw ourselves upon your compassion
"Let the poor men leave their large
package, Mildred" said Janet, my youger
cousin, "and have il put in the ante-room
until tomorrow.
Mildred assen,ed, and in disregard Of
the frowns and ominous looks Of the butler,
ordered the pack to be carried into a little
room near the entrance.
This was donei aud glad and thankful
was to see the door bolted and barred be-
hind the formidable strangers II seemed
to me dangerous risk, in our thinly.peo-
pied household, to admit two strangers at
that time of the evening. | had noticed,
too, that they glanced about the hall in a
superstitious manner, and especially eyed
the dog which stood with us in the halt and
had at first begun to bark, but had quickly
been silenced by low command from Mil
dred. | saw that the maid.servant, who
stood by, shared my uncomfortable feelings,
and she assisted very readily after the de.
parture of the men in barring the door, aud
seeing to the safety of the window-fasten.
ings.
Later in the evening | met her on the
stairs, and she stopped me.
81 do not like the looks Of that bundle,
at all, Miss" she said it looks to me alive,
and twice | have ianeied | saw il move