Middletown transcript., 1876-04-08
Criminal Storp.
Written for the Transcril
MAUD BURLEIGH.
By LILLE BELL.


blew in gusts, and made it all the more
disagreeable to the traveller
Just as the hour of ten chimed from
the little clock at the Southerland depot.
The southern bound train came in
sight.
In q few minutes ..Southerland. :
was shouted by every ,brakesman on the
train; and amid the hustle and noise OF
a jostling throDg. emerged tall slight
girl, with large brown eyes and hair OF
] darker hue. She was robed in neat
gray travelling dress, aud held in one OF
her dainty gloved hands small kid
caba.
For a moment she stood looking
around her, at the swaying mass OF
| humanity that thronged the place.
..S,me were met with words Of well
come" while others, like herself,
strangers; "No one to meet them. no
one to greet them," no one to be glad
at their coming.
Presently a colored man, Of "Old
Uncle Ned's" description, made bis ap-
pearance at the door
"Ho, for the Souiherland House !!
Best house in the town. Ho for the
Jest coach ]"
Coach for the Switzerland House !
..Can Iattend to your baggage Miss?'
he said, pausing before the young
stranger
Yes" che said, and giving him her
checks. stepped into the coach, and was
soon jolting over the muddy streets.
amid unknown scenes to the Souther-
land House
So far as the eye could see, nothing
but stangers, and strange sights greeted
her sight.
The coach was occupied by some
half-dozen young persons, mostly wo-
men. In one corner was seated bash
full young man. who seemed to think
his hands and feet we're very much 10
bis way. Opposite to the young lady.
sat an elderly one. with bundles and
boxes. enveloped in white covers piled
up around her to such a height that
you could just see long poke bonnet,
specks and green vail above them
while blue cotton umbrella was stand
ing at her side.J ~ Ec
At her left, was seated child eating
candy. Its face. hands and dress be
smeared with it,
Ever and anon, the old lady weuld
gather her things closer around ber !;
casting fugitive glances over her specks.
and smile very sourly on the little thing
msuuch,ng it's candy.
On the opposite side was seated an
old man; evidently the better half Of
the old woran with the poke bonnet
and green vail.
There be sat, appearing as trivial as
he was capable of doing. His feet
were drawn, back as far as possible un-
der the seat, with folded hands, twirl-
ing one thumb over the other. and look
lug straight down his nose at nothing
Presently. be put out one foot when
the old lady with the poke bonnet and
green vail, leaned forward as far as she
could and said: Obadiah. thee bad
better move thy foot a little farther
back. Thee knows some one might fall
over it." Instantly be drew back that
member Of the human body, when
sudden lurch Of the coach made bis hst
tip back the old lady again leaned for.
ward and said in nasal twang:
"Obediah, thee had better put thy
hat on straight. thee knows it is thy
best hat. and it might fall of and get
mashed" /" " sstti
The Soutberlapd. House was soon
reached; it was very spacious build
ing, being a resort to part Of the
many that rushed ont OF the cities in
the summer, to get breath Of the pure
mountain air
Here we are y shouted the porter.
springing from bis seat and letting the
old fashioned steps down. Out tumbled
the occupants. the old lady with the
poke bonnet and green vail. bundles.
boxes and ALL. As they were about to
enter the house, the old lady said g.
"Obadiah, thee had better take care Of
thy watch, see if thee has it yet !? !
am so greatly exercised about it "
That article was hung shout his neck
BY heavy double twine cord. and was
looked after BY the old lady, like every
thing else around her. every few min
utes. Turning round. she said to the
young stranger: "Art thou going to
stop here +? Thee will find it very
pleasant place"
YES" was the reply, making her
way up to the clerk with the old lady
at her side.
.'Thee will be kind enough to let me
put down my name 6rst?" said she.
pulling at the young girls sleeve; add.
ing as if to explain: "Thee knows.
Obadiah. does not understand business.
and I have to make all the arrange
ments"
Taking the pen. she wrote:
''Obediah Pyle, Rochester, New York;
prudence Pyle,
Then handing it back. she said So
"Thee bad better put down thy name
before some one comes"
THANK you" came the low reply !;
taking the pen she wrote II
Miss Maud Burleigh. near Lynn.
Mass" Turning away she followed a
| waitress to her room.
After dinner. Maud made her ap-
pearance in the ladies' saloon. request
ing of waiter to zee the clerk, who
soon made bis appearance.
"Can you direct me to the residence
of Doctor Isaiah Goodrich 7"
''Yes, Miss; but do not think it
advisable for you to 60 alone. Will
you have little boy to accompany you.
who knows the way? Or if you prefer
it Miss. | will order the. carriage p
ssThe boy will do" said Mand, walk
ing to the door; and in short time