Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-12-14


lknew he had this, for had span him
/ the night before counting some out
OF it, and putting it into another bag.
! Thomas brought the chaise the
door. Fathers favorite black horse,
whose coat looked lustrons velvet,
and who stepped so proudly, was
paving the ground impatiently as he
appeared. He handed in my beautl
full mother, and / stood looking on
with childish pleasure at her beauty
and rich dress. that so became her.
Ny father suddenly turned to me and
said, taking his key to his'Piron
bound box:
'Run, Ann, and get me the little
bag you saw me put away last night >
| | was proud to be so trusted but
when quickly returned with it, he
was already in the chaise, and part
way to the gate. He locked out and
said:
No matter now, Ann; you may
put it back again, for we are going
another road, and will pay Harris
to-,i,orrow. Take care of the key,
my dear, and good-bye.7
Good bye, and a good time to
you," | laughingly replied, and ran
back to put the treasure in safety.
| FASTENED indoors again to see
them wind down the private way that
led through our extensive grounds,
and half wished were old enough to
90 with them. Hearing slight
noise, I turned and saw a stranger, a
figure not unusual man with a
bundle hung on stick.
He leaning on the stone wall, and
apparently loo kingsaiter the carriages.
He came toward in moment, and
asked If he might sit down and rest,
and if | would kindly give him some-
thing TO eat Of course | said yes,
and with light steps soon had him
substantial lunch OF bread and cheese,
which he came INTO the kitchen to
eat. Betsey aud Hannah were busy,
hurrying to finish their work, for they
were going out to tea and to spend
the evening, They talked gayly
about their visit. paying little auen-
ton TO the stroller, who was quietly
eating. He had laid his straw hat on
the floor, and saw that his head was
bald On The top, and the finnish hair
brushed up from behind over it
He had prominent ears, low fore
head and large mouth, with reced
ing chin, where grew a s'ubby beard
of grizzly black, Ike his hair. I did
not know why observed all this, or
his eyes, small and hid under grayisf
brows, that seemed to glance turtively
about him, wnen no one appeared to
be looking. His voice was harsh and
croaking, and had startled me when
/ he first addressed me.
We were used to strollers of al
kinds, as have said Perhaps |
was mentally contrasting his repnl-
siveness with my fathers noble and
dignifed features. He seemed to me
! very ugly. | was glad when he had
finished lis meal and risen to 90.
He asked permission to light his pipe,
which was readily granted. He
went ont aireetly,nassing accidentally
! through the dining room and out of
the great hall, where he fingered for
a moment or two. He had thanked
ne ciyilly enough for his breakfast.
bit the girls laughed and nodded AS
he went out, and said they should
think | had picked up raven.
All that long, bright day I was
busy and happy in the flower garden,
Or sewing, or reading; and when the
girls left, looking very cheerful at
their half holiday, wished them
merry time, and told them not to has
ten home, for Thomas should come
for them. l expected my father and
mother soon after eight o'clock, and |
told Thomas that he might 90 about
that time, as they would soon bt
home, and 1t looked little like ram
Heavy clouds we've gathering in The
west, and the thunder rurnbled sullen-
ly. lie took the covered wagon and
old gray, and, before he stepped in
said
'Miss Ann, I think you had bette,
fasten the doors, as you may be al
alone for a short time If | go so soon
Would you not rather that l SHOULD
wait till your father comes?"
"Oh, no, Thomas don't mind be
ing alone in the least, and you onoh
to 60, lest it should rain hard, for i
is more than two miles to ride, an6
they may not wish to leave in a min
ute. l expect father and lnothe
every moment Don't watt
So Thomas left, and the wager
, ratified merrily mp the lane. | bolted
: the doors because he had told me to
) for otherwise | would not have though
! of it. II grew dark rapidly, and tn
: thunder began to peal heavily, Will