The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-04-28
MY PERIL AND ESCAPE,

was very bold and fearless girl, anC
my brothers and sisters often dared m,
TO go into lonely places in the dark, O
90 perllous feats of various kinds, which
challenges never refused. Often the,
set out to play tricks on me, but it usual
" happened they fell into their own traps
while performed my part in safety.
we lived in 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 opened
to the east and west. The dining.hal'
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 at the east and back
was the dairy and another porch. There
were three stairways leading to the upper
rooms and garnet, whose ample space
was broken only by the great chimney in
the center
we had gay and lively house, and
We're used to great deal of company
ana visitors, form parents were greatly
given to the old-fashioned virtue of hos.
pltality. The humbest wayfarer COM
ing in at the porch was entertained kind.
~ and given Godspeed, as well as the
guest whose elegant carriage and span
drove around to the front-door on the
southern side.
1t was summer day, and warm,
bright and beautiful. The morning
promised lovely day Just after our
early breakfast a merry party came
riding down the lane in carriages and on
horseback, and yelling joyously for nv
Iather ana mother to accompany them
on pleasure-trip. They were accus.
toned to this mode of impromptu festiy;
itY, and gayly answered that they would
soon be ready. 1t was only the day be-
fore that my father had returned from
the Australian gold fields, and had
brought with him a bag of gold. l knew
he had this, for | 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 velvet,
and who stepped 50 proudly, was paw
ing the ground impatiently as he APP
peared. He handed in my beautiful
childish pleasure at her beautiful and
rich dress, that so became her.
| 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 IA slight noise, l turned
and saw stranger, a figure not unusual,
a man with bundle hung on stick.
He was leaning on the stone wall, and
apparently looking after the carriages
He came forward in moment, and asked
would kindly give him something to eat
OF course said yes, and, with quick
steps, soon had him a substantial lunch
of bread and cheese, which he came into
the kitchen to eat. Betsy and Hannah
were busy hurrying to finish their work,
FOR they were going out to tea and tC
spend the evening. They talked gayly
about their visit, paying little attention
10 the stroller, who was quietly eating
He had laid his straw hat on the floor
and | saw that his head was bald on top
and the finnish hair brushed up from
behind over it,
He had prominent ears, low forehead
and large mouth, with receding chin
where grew stubby beard of grizzly
black like his hair. ] don't know why
observed all this, or his eyes, small ant
hid under grayish brows, that seemed It
glance furtively about him when no on,
appeared to be looking. His voice wa
harsh and croaking, and had startled N,
when he first addressed me.
We were used to strollers of all kinds
as have said Perhaps l was mental,
contrasting his responsiveness with NJ,
fathers noble and digniied features H
seemed to me very ugly. l was gla,
when he had finished his meal and rise
to 90. He asked permission to light hi
pipe, which was readily granted. II
went out directly, passing accidental
through the dining-room and out of tn
great hall, where he fingered for me
ment or two He had thanked me civil
enough for his breakfast, but the girl
laughed and nodded as he went out, an
said they should think had picked up
raven.
All that long, bright day was bus
and happy in the flower garden, or sew
ing, or reading; and when the girls left
ooking very cheerful at their half-hol
day, wished them a merry time, an
told them not to hasten home, for Thoma
should come for them.
l expected my father and mother 500
after eight O'clock, and told Thomas h
might go about that time, as they woul
soon be home, and it looked little lik
rain. Heavy clouds were gathering i
the west, and the thunder rumbled su
lenly. lie took the covered wagon an
old gray, and, before he stepped IN, sale