The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1877-06-28
THE LONG PACK.

" "Aunty, tell me story 1 said, as
sat with my maiden relative in hug;
tapestTied apartment in rambling old
fashioned house in the country:
What kind Of q story do y5t Want
Harry" she Rsk6d. Grave or CAV
trre or Untrue, pleasant or sad ? Fol
my Iilehas been long and my experience!
many" she added, as she gazed dreamily
and thOughtfully into the fire thai
| b!azed on tke hearth before US.
ooh, something narrowing and thrill
ing, fearful and shocking; and above all
true-there'sa dear auntyI" l exclaimed
as [ drew near her side, and gazed shud
| deringly around tie large, gloomy room
| Aittle pause ensued, while aunty gazeC
neditatively into the fire, and watching
her face in eager hope Of the exciting tell
that was coming.
was about 16 taunt Betsy began a
! laet) when l was invited to go and stay
with some relatives in Sussex, whom
had never seen. My life in this ole
house, ,--where I was born and have lived
all my days---was somewhat mOnotOnOus
l was lively girl then, and, wild with
delight at the prospect of a change o
scene, l looked anxiUusly for my parents
| permission to accept the invitation.
After gome delibeI alton, the desireC
permission was given; so, early one
morning, accompanied by my father,
set out in high spirits for my destination
arriving there in the pleasant twilight o
| an autumn evening.
Our friends gave US a cordial recep'
tion. Squire and Mrs. Oldham were
staid, gOOd-tempered, rather elderly peO
pie, and their two daughters-girlsO OILS
and 20-as merry and as wild as l could
possibly desire. Their names were Mil
dred and Janet.
The house, standingOnits own grounds
and surrounded by lofty trees, was ole
and spacious, with many long corridors
and passages, and plenty of rooms of al
sizes and descriptions. / can recall SC
well the great entrance hall. It was o.
! immense size and gloomy, and from it as
cended wide staircase which led to al
open gallery above.
During my stay with my Sussex
| friends, Mr.. and Mrs Oldham went tC
spend a few days at a geDtleman's house
a few miles distant from their own, and
| it was while they were absent that the
alarming occurrence l am about to relate
to you took place.
The household consisted of the butlel
and four maid servants. The coachman
who lived in a cottage on the grounds
about a quarter of a mile distant, was
now absent with his master and mistress
The butler was pCmpOUs, stately, mid
die aged man, given somewhat tO'patTOn
izing, though always respectful in hi
manners to us young people. He evi
IDENTIFY considered the saiety of the hous,
as his peculiar charge, and was very par
| -
in looking after the fastening Of door
and windows.
We had heard of one or two rObberie
being committed in the neighborheOd
but we did not feel nervous, and m
cousin placed great dependence on a hug
black dog which always slept at night il
the hall.
One evening" believe it was the thir
after Mr.. and Mrs. Oldham's departure
my cousins and I were sitting 'chattin
merriIv around the fire in large room
which opened from the hall. | think
was about seven o'clock, when ther
came pull at the front door bell, anC
after a short delay, the butler answere
it. Presently, hearing a somewhat pro
IOnged parley outside, we opened OU
room door and peeped out.
Two men, apparently much exhausted
stood at the lower end of the hall, Will
on the floor at th9ir feet lay large, lon
package. Opposite to them stood th
butler and one of the maid servants, an
a stormy discussion seemed going on b.
tween them. Mildred. my elder cousin
after a few moments, walked forward an
requested an explanation. One of then
rather a respectable-looking indivIdua
I thought, advanced toward her, an
making low bow, began to speak:
q Madame, " said he, eve hay
brought this bale of goods to your hou:
by mistake; we were to take it to NJ
Needham's," mentioning a house abOU
five miles distant, but have carried
here instead. We are much exhaute'
for we have walked far, the night is ten
pestuOus, and we feel that we can take
no farther. VIII you kindly allow Us
leave it here till morning."
Mildred looked at the butler inuui
ingly before she answered. The old Sc
: want shook his head with a doubtful au
/ suspicious air, whereupon the ma
= who had just spoken observed hastily
eve do not ask for a lodging for on
selves, madam, we shall make our wa
: to the nearst public house. 1t is on
l the pack we wish to leave. 1t is veI
I heavy, and we will call for it in coc
: time tomorrow. We throw ourselv,
2 upon your compassion"
"Let the poor men leave their Iars
package, Mildred" said Janet. my you
ger cousin, "and have it put into Il
ante-rOom until tomorrow"
Mildred consented, and in disregard
2 the frown and ominous looks of the bu
; | Ier. ordered the pack to be carrie
,, into little room near the entrance.
This was done, and glad and thankf
[ was to see the door bOlted and barre
I, | behind the formidable strangers.
= seemed to me a dangerous risk. m 0,
thinly peopled household, to admit tv
strangers at that time of the evening.
had noticed, too, that they glanced arouI
S the hall in a surreptitious manner, al
S especially at the dog, which stood wi
/. us in the hall, and had at first begun
II to bark, but had been quickly silenc
It by low command from Mildred | sa
q that the maid servant, who still stood
' shared my uncem Portable feelings, al
o she assisted, very readily, after the d
parture Of the men, in barring the do