Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1876-03-24
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THE MYSTERY AT THE FARM.

One morning Uncle Vernon said to his
nephew Geoffrey You have been study
ing too hard my bog. You must go into
the country for few weeks and recupe-
rate
A few days after this Uncle Vernon re-
ceived letter In a cramped and stagger-
ing hand. frem Abraham Kuolls, saying
that he would receive the boy at his house
and take good care of him.
Soon after Geoffrey was on his way up
the Hudson, landed at long wharf, flank
ed by wooden building, village on the
hill beyond, a group Of idlers i'll muddy
boots, watching the steamboat disgorge
her cargo. In the foreground stood an old
man carrying whip, and peering about
with keen eyes beneath bushy brows.--
Godfrey Vernon heard this remark:
so you've took to summer boarders.
hey p from a clerk.
why, yes my old woman thinks she
would like to try 'em a SPELL replied the
old man, rubbing his horny palms to-
ge:her.
Then Geofrey knew by intuition that he
was no other than Mr.. Abraham Knolls,
sud vague sense OF homcsickuess stole
oye-, him.
They were soon on their way to the
"a, a ha x,ill lak
left lar behind. The way became more
lonely and wild they had crossed bridge
and the horses paused as if from habit, at
spring brimming into trough. A man
emerged from thcket, looking down the
valley, aud then whistled a peculiar clear
note. Then he approached the wagOn.-
The horses pricksd their ears the yellow
dog skunk beneath the vehicle apprehen,
sively. Mr. Knolls was evidently discon-
certed by thi, addition TO the party.
You back, Matthew? suppose there
Amt no use in asking where you've been
last
Wandering up and dowr the earth,
was the growing response.
This is my only son, Mr.. Matthew
Knolls, continued the old map, turning to
Geoffrey.
The latter stared at the intruder, and
decided that the son was rough, surly
person, with the bushiest beard and fun.
niesl hair he ever seen, nor was his ap
pearauce improved by a cast in one eye
This scrutiny seemed displeasing to the
object, who, scovling at Geofirey, inquir'
ed, abruptly
What are you doin' with him.
"A young gentlemen from New York
Matthew. Your mother wants to take
summer boarders. The winter's been un
commonly hard on US here said the old
man, in a wheeding, depreciating tone.
Through the cleaning the farmhouse
lights appeared shedding dim ray amoDg
the black trees. A matron stood in the
door, a large woman with \ querulous
smile, and behind her q slender girl, pale
as a lilly, with golden hair, blue eyes
that dilated as her brother, Matthew emer.
ged to view, and a small, obstinate mouth.
Home sickness pursued Godfrey from the
close sitting room, when supper was
spread, TO the parlor, j stiff and angular
apartment smelling Of varnish and dried
leaves. In the chamber above the parlor,
which was assigned him, low, plain, and
clean, our traveller gazed dismally at the
lamp on the table, and then out Of the
window on the almost palpabie darkness
os night, where the stiffness was rendered
only the more lonely by the hooting Of an
owl or the thrilling note of some insect.
lam afraid it will prove an awful bore,
suIiGulzed Geohrey. with q yawn. The
door had lock but no key. He extin-
Sushed the lamp, and sank the into the
depths of feather bed, which almost suf-
focat 4 him by its ,uxuriousness. Sleep
succeeded - deep and dreamlsss. lie
awoke with a start, his heart thrObbing
wildly. Hark Was it the very silence,
an oppressive influence, which bad ava
kened him? He lay still and listened
The hooting of an owl was again audible
the curtain of the window tapped in the
breeze. That was all. No; some object
was moving slowly in the small ROOM
For the first time in his life, fear, in a
mysterious form smote him, aud the excls-
nation framed by his lips died away unut'
tered. The shape approached, bent over
and touched him. GeofIrey held his breath.
Was it ghost OF robber Like CLEAN OF
light the remembrance of Mr.. Matthew
Knoll and the yellow dog sinking under
the wagon came to his mind. The shape
moved away again softly, and it seemed to
Geolfrey that the door was locked from the
outside. Yes, he was a prisoner: After
that the silen. house became permeated
with sound muffied reverberation, like
the swinging Of . massive portal, shook the
walls.