The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-11-29
THE RAVENS VOICE.

and nv brothers and sisters often dared
me to 20 into lonely places ~ the dark,
or do perilous feats of various kinds,
which challenges I never refused. Often
they set out to play tricks on me, but it
usually happened they fell into their
own traps, while I performed my part
in safety.
Very possibly the consciousness that
they were about t. dupe me gave me
more courage than I would otherwise
have had, for any unusual noise or ap-
pearapce would be attributed to one or
another coming to frighten me. But,
night or day, I used to 60 straight up to
and touch whatever seemed fearful, and
finding the object of doubt resolved
itsaf into very simple elements, &C
ou1red an ease which stood me in stead
in times of real danger.
We lived in large old house built OF
English oak, and bearing its nearly two
centuries very lightly. It opened to
the south, and the two large parlors
looked to the east and west. The din
ing-ball and spacious kitchen formed
tho square of the house, while at the
west and back was another large room,
sometimes called the great porch, and at
the east and back was the dairy and an
other porch. There were three stair
ways leading to the upper rooms, and a
garret, whose ample space was broken
only by the great chimney In the Gen.
ter.
We had gay and lively house, and
were used to q great deal of company
and visitors, for my parents were great
" given to the old fashioned virtue OF
hospitality. The humblest wayfarer
coming in at the porch was entertained
kindly and bade God-speed, as well as
the guest whose elegant carriage and
span drove round to the front door on
the southern side.
lam not going now to tell you OF my
handsome "gentle" parents, or my
brothers and sisters-only about myself.
There we're great many of us when we
were all at home, especially In the win
ter holidays, but at times we were nearly
all away. Boarding schools, academies,
trayeline-an claimed us at various
times. Yet it was rare indeed that one
was ever at home alone. It 30 hap
pened, however, and to me.
1t was q summer day, and warm,
bright and beautiful. The morning
pru.nised a lovely day. Just after our
EARL breakfast, merry party came nd
ine down the lane, in carriages and on
horseback, and calling joyously for my
father and mother t. accompany them
on q pleasure trip. They were accus-
toned to this mode Of impromptu festl-
vity, and gsyly answered that they
would soon be ready. It was only the
day before that my father had returned
from the Australian gold fields, and had
brought with him bag OF gold. l
knew be had this, for l had seen him
the night before counting some out OF
it, and putting it into another bag.
Thomas brought the chaise to the
door. Fathers favorite black horse,
whose coat looked like lustrous v lvet,
and who stepped SO proudly, was paw.
ing the ground impatiently as he ap-
peared. He handed in my beautiful
mother, and | stood looking on with
childish pleasure at her beauty and rich
dress that so became her. My father
suddenly turned to me and said, taking
his key to his iron bound box:
"Run, Ann, and get me the little bag
you saw me put away last night"
I was proud to be so trusted !; but
when I quickly returned with it, he was
already in the chaise, and part way tc
the gate. He looked out and said
No matter now, Ann you may put
it back again, for we are going another
road, and I will pay Harris to morrow.
Take care OF the key, my dear, and good
bye"
:" G ood-bye, and a good time to you, y
laughingly replied, and ran back to
put the treasure in safety.
hastened indoors again to see them
wind down the private way that led
through our extensive grounds, and hall
wished 1 were old enough to go with
them. Hearing slight noise, I turned
and saw stranger, figure not unusual,
man with bundle hung on stick.
He was leaning on the stone wall, and
apparently looking after the carriages.
He came forward in a moment, and
asked if he might sit down and rest, and
if I would kindly give him something to
eat. Of course I said yes, and with
light steps soon had him a substantial
lunch of bread and cheese, which he
came into the kitchen to eat. Betsey
and 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, pay
ing little attention to the stroller, who
was qnietly eating. He had laid his
straw hat on the floor, and I saw that
his head was bald on the top, and the
thinnish hair brushed up from behind
over it.
He had prominent ears, low forehead
and large mouth, with receding chin,
where grew a stubby beard, of grizzly
black, like his hair. Ibid not know why
I observed all this, or his eyes, small
and hid under grayish brows, that
seemed to glance furtively about him
when 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 I was
mentally contrasting his responsiveness
with my fathers noble and digniAed
features. He seemed to me very ugly.
I was glad when he had finished his mea
and risen to go. He asked permission
to light his pipe, which was readily
granted He went out directly, passing
accidentally through the dining room
aud ont Of the great hall, where he lin
gered for O moment or two. He haG
thanked me civilly enough for his break
fast, hut the girls laughed and noddee
as be went out, and said they should
think l had picked mp raven.
All that long, bright day was busy
and happy IN the flower garden, or sew
ing, or reading; and when the girls left
looking very cheerful at their half holi
day, I wished them merry time, ant
told th m not to, hasten home, To-
Thomas should come for them. 1 e1
pected nv father and mother soon aftel
eight O'Clock, and told Thomas that he
might go about that time, ss they woule
soon be home, and it looked q little like
rain. Heavy clouds were gathering II
&bo ~-o,& o,,J &ba ;b1n1ar rnyoh ohIa1 ay,1