Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1875-12-24

-s -VISV0 OF &oy, se1Q(
tor untrue, pleasant or ssdY For nv Rf,
hs beeh long and my experiences n.nS s
che Added. - shs gaxed dream,lv ~
lthoughtfuliy into the fire that blazed al
the hearth before %. VG M
oh. something narrowing and thrilling
fearful andshockins, and above all. tru. 81
there . dear aunty!' / exclaimed "A
drew near her side and gazed shudderine
y around the large, gloomy room.
A little pause ensued, while aunty qazed
|meditatively into the fire, and watching
her face in eager hope of the exciting tale
that was coming. IT.
l was about l6 (Aunt Betsy began q.
Tasty when I was invited to 20 and stay
with some relatives in Sussex, whom
had never seen. Ny life in this old house
where ! was born and have lived oil my
|cays-~as sonewhas monotopous. Iva.
d lively girl then, and, wild with deligh,
at the prospect Of . change Of scene, !
looked anxiously for my parents permis
sion to accept the invitation.
r. Afer some delibesatiou, the desired
|pernissiou was given; 20 early one morn.
ing. accompanied by my father, set ou,
in high spirits for my destination, arriving
there in the pleasant twilight OF an autumn
|eveninE.
Our friends gsye rs cordial reception,
Squire and Mrs. Oldham were staid,
|good-tsmperd. rather eldesy people, and
their two daughters-girls Of Is and 30
- merry and as'wild - could possibly
desire. Their names were Mildred and
Janet.
The house, standing on its own grounds.
and surrounded BY lofty trees. was old and
spacious, with many long corridors and
passages, and plenty OF rooms Of 81 sizes
and descriptions. / can recall 50 well the
great entrance hall. Il was Of immense
size and gloomy, and from It wid. st.ir
case which led to an open galley above.
During my stay with my Sussex friends
Mr.. and Mrs. Oldham went to spend q
few days at . gen,lcman's house few
miles distant FROM their own. and IL wal
while they were absent that the alarming
occurrence l am about 10 relate to you
took place.
The household consisted of the butlcl
and four maid servants. The c0achman,
who lived in . cottage on the grounds
about quarter of = mile distant, Was now
abeent with his master and mistress. The
butler was pompous, stately, middle
aged man, given somewhat to patronizing,
though always respectful in his manneri
to NJ young people He evidently consid
esed the safety sfthe house - his peculiar
charge. and was very particular in the ex
tinguishing OF 6res, and IN looking aftel
the fastening of doors and windows.
We had heard Of one Or two robbertea
being committed ia the nighborhood; bu'
We did not feel nervona and my cousin
Iplaced great dependence on huge black
dog which always slept at night In the
hall. ,.,..-...., s.4.
One evenipg-I bclieveii It was the third
after Mr.. and Mra Oldham's departure
|my cousins and I were sitting chatting
lmerrily around the fire in large room
which opened from the hall think II
xas about Z O'Clock, when there came
pull II the front door bell, and. after .
short delay. the butler answered IT,.
Presently. hearing somewhat prolonged
|pariey outside, We opened our room door
and peeped out. 1.
Two men, apparently much exhaused i.
stood ct the lower end Of the hall, while
lon the iloor It their feet lsy large, long
package. Opposite 70 them stood the but
ller and one of the maid servants. and .
stormy discussion seemed going on be.
tween then. Mildred, my elder cousin,
after few moments pause, walked for
ward and requested On explanation. One
OF them, rather respectable-looktng In
ldividual, I thought, advanced toward ter,
end making . low bow, began tospeak'
y. .kadsma,' said b we have brought this
bale of goods to your house By mistake;
We were to take 1t to Mr.. Nsedbam s.
mentioning house about five miles dis
tant, but haye carried il here instead. We
|are much exhausted, for We have walked
|far, the night is tempestous. and we feel
that we can take It no further. Will you
Kindly allow ~ to leave il hers tiu morn
ingf "A .@
Mildred looked at the butler inqufrinx'y
|befors she answered. The Old servant
rhnak his head vim I doubtful and sus-
|picious air, whereupon the man who bad
Just spoken observed hastily:
we DO not ask los lodgink Tor ouSeel-
|vas, madam, W shall make our way' to|
the nearest public heuss. IL - only ne
pack we wish to jssye. il y vesy heavy.
end We will call fos itip god ttme 70 nor
row. We throw ourselves upon yoar|
compassion
Let he pooe nsa1 leays their large
pscxage. Mildred. said Jssst. ny yoang-|
er o,us,s, and bsys Il pst into shs ante
ysom until to-mssrow. i i
Mildred consssted, and 4 diasegard ofI
10 ftosws snA nnlsoss lookaoflAs batleE, |
ordered she pack y b carried Into httlel
room neee the estranca .s,,,..,e /
Thb ~ dene. Asd glsA and thalffal =
vas = 10 see IT, dooe bole1 and hnsssd ee.I
kiad ~ fnenldahlo s1sssesA e1ttempd
% ~ dangsross sisk, II or s1daly pecl
Md houoehoId, to0dnit tyo sesoaCD heI
~ line of ~ svssing. thal nes'e 2.
-, ~ III. eleseed asoasd - 1au VI