Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-11-11
THE RAVENS VOICE.

was a very bold and fearless child,
and my brothers and sisters often dared
me to go into lonely places in the dark,
or do perilous feats of various kinds,
which challenges 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 to dupe me gave me
more courage than would otherwise
have had, for any unusual noise or ap-
pearance would be attributed to one OF
another coming to brighten me. But,
night or day, 1 used to go straight up to
and touch whatever seemed fearful, and
finding the object of doubt resolved
itself into very simple elements, I ac-
quired an ease which stood me in stead
in times of real danger.
We lived in a large old house built OF
English oak, and bearing its nearly two
centuries very lightly. 1t opened to
the south, and the two large parlors
looked to the east and west. The din.
ing-ball and spacious kitchen formed
the square of the house, while at the
west and back was another large room,
sometimes called the great porch, and al
the east and back was the dairy and an
other perch. There were three stair.
ways leading to the upper rooms, and o
garrett, whose ample space was broken
only by the great chimney in the cen.
ter.
We had gay and lively house, and
were used to a great deal Of company
and visitors, for my parents were great
ly given to the old fashioned virtue Of
hospitality. The humblest wayfarel
coming in at the porch was entertained
kindly and bade God-speed, as we'll as
the guest whose elegant carriage anG
span drove round to the front door OIL
the southern side.
I am not going now to tell you of my
handsome "gentle" parents, or M
brothers and sisters-only about myself
There were great many of us when W.
were all at home, especially in the win
ter holidays, but at times wewere nearl,
all away. Boarding schools, academies
traveIiDg-all claimed us at variou
times. Yet it was rare indeed that on
was ever at home alone. 1t SO haI
pened, however, and to me.
1t was summer day, and warm
bright and beautiful. The morning
promised lovely day. Just after on
early breakfast, a merry party came rid
ing down the lane, in carriages and OF
horseback, and calling joyously for m.
father and mother t. accompany then
on a pleasure trip. They were accus
toned to this mode of impromptu festi
witty, and gayly answered that the,
would soon be ready. 1t was only th
day before that my father had returne
from the Australian gold fields, and ha'
brought with him bag of gold.
knew he had this, for I had seen hir
the night before counting some out {
it, and putting it into another bag.
Thomas brought the chaise to th
door. Fathers favorite black horse
whose coat looked like lustrous velvet
and who stepped SO proudly, was paw
ing the ground impatiently as he az
peared. He handed in my beautifl
mother, and l stood looking on wit
childish pleasure at her beauty and ric
dress that SO became her. My fatbe
suddenly turned to me and said, takin
his key to his iron bound box:
"Run, Ann, and get me the little bo
you saw me put away last night"
I was proud to be SO trusted bl
when I quickly returned with it, he WI
already in the chaise, and part way
the gate. He looked out and said
No matter now, Ann you may pl
it back again, for we are going anoth'
road, and I will pay Harris to -morro1
Take care of the key, my dear, and goo'
bye"
Goodbye, and good time to you
I laughingly replied, aud ran back
put the treasure in safety.
l fastened indoors again to see the
wind down the private way that IL
through our extensive grounds, and ha
wished l were old enough to go wi
them. Hearing slight noise, turnt
and saw stranger, a figure not unusus
man with a bundle hung on a stick.
He was leaning on the stone wall, a,
apparently looking after the carriage
He came forward in a moment, al
asked if he might sit down and rest, al
if would kindly give him something
eat. Of course / said yes, and wi
light steps soon had him substant
lunch of bread and cheese, which
came into the kitchen to eat. Bets
and Hannah we're busy, hurrying
finish their work, for they were goi
out to tea and to spend the evenir
They talked gayly about their visit, pa
ing little attention to the stroller, W
was quietly eating. He had laid
straw hat on the floor, and I saw Il
his head was bald on the top, and
thinnish hair brushed up from behi
over it.
He had prominent ears, low forehe
and large mouth, with receding Oh
where grew stubby beard, of griz'
black, like his hair. Ibid not know W
I observed all this, or his eyes, sp1
and hid under grayish brows, Il
seemed to glance furtively about b
when no one appeared to be lookil
His voice was harsh and croaking, a
had startled me when he first address
mo