The Portland daily press., 1877-05-12
English Magazine.l
My Peril and Escape.


fused. Often they set out to play tricks on
me, but it usually happened they fell into
their own traps, while performed my part
in safety.
We lived in a large old house built of Eng
lish 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 dining hall 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 dairy and another porch. There were
three stairways leading to the upper rooms
only by the great chimney in the centre.
We had gay and lively house, and were
used to great deal Of company and visitors,
for my parents we're greatly given to the old
fashioned virtue of hospitality. The hum
blest wayfarer coming in at the porch was en-
tertained kindly aud given God-speed, as well
as the guest whose elegant carriage and span
drove around to the front door on the south
ern side.
1t was summer day, and warm, bright
and beautiful. The morning promised a
lovely day. Just after our early breakfast a
merry party came riding down the lane in
carriages and on horseback, and yelling joy.
ously for my father and mother to accompany
toned to this mode of impromptu festivty,
and gayly answed that they would soon be
ready. 1t was only the day before that my
father had returned from the Australian gold
fields, and had brought with him bag OF
gold. knew he had this, for had seen
him the night before counting some of it out
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
so proudly, was paving the ground impa.
tiently as he appeared. He handed in my
beautiful mother, and I stood looking with
childish pleasure at her beautiful and her
rich dress, that so became her.
I fastened indoors again to see them wind
down the private way that lead through our
extensive grounds, and half wished were old
enough to 60 with them. Hearing slight
noise, turned and saw a stranger, a figure
not unusual, man with bundle hung on a
stick.
He was leaning on the stone wall, and ap.
parently looking after the carriages. He
came forward in moment and asked me if
he might sit down and rest, and if would
kindly give him something to eat. Of course
said yes, and with steps soon had him a
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 to
spend the evening. They talked gayly about
their visit, paying little attention 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 thinnish
hair brushed up from behind over it.
He had prominent ears, low forehead, and
large mouth, with a receding chin, where
grew stubby beard of grizzly black, like his
hair. I don't know why 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 all kinds, as I
have said. Perhaps was mentally contrast
ing his responsiveness with my fathers noble
and digniied features. He seemed to me
very ugly. l was glad when he had finished
his meal and risen to 60. He asked permis-
sion to light his pipe, which was readily
granted. he went out directly, passing ac-
cidentally through the dinlng-room and out
of the great hall, where he fingered for a
moment or two. He had thanked me civilly
enough for his breakfast, but the girls laugh
ed and nodded as he went out and said
they should think I had picked up raven.
ALI that long, bright day, was busy and
reading; and when the girls left, looking very
cheerful at their half holiday wished them
a merry time and told hem not to hasten
home, for Thomas should come for them.
expected my father and mother soon after s
O'Clock, and I told Thomas that he might 60
about that time as they would soon be home
and it looked a little like rain. Heavy clouds
were gathering in the west and the thunder
rnmbled sullenly. He took the covered wag-
on and old gray and, before he stepped in,
said:
"Miss Ann. think you had better fasten
the doors as you may be all alone for short
time if I 60 so soon. Would you not rather
that should wait until your father comes ?'
in the least, and you ought to 60 lest it should
rain hard, for it is more than two miles to
ride, and they may not wish to leave with
you in minute. I expect father and moth
er every moment. Don't wait"
So Thomas lett and the wagon ratified mer-
rily up the lane. bolted the doors because
he had told me to, for otherwise would not
have thought of it. 1t grew dark rapidly and
the thunder began to peal heavily, while the
wind rose and the flashes of lightning grew
more vivid and frequent. wen: out to the
east parlor and looked to the south, but the
sudden lighting-up of the sky and the falling
darkness did not interest me long. I could
not see out very well either as the honey
suckles covered the windows. The large
mirror refectedsme as turned away to cross
the room and stopped moment with nat
ural vanity, for was young and fair enough
to look upon.
let all my hair fall loose, and wound it in
long, shining curls over my fingers. 1t GER
tainly did look handsome, for it was very
thick, and fell below my waist and curled al
most of itself as it fell. There came great
fash of lightning and saw distinctly reflect
ed in the glass face looking in at the win
dow. 1t was an instant of terror, but neith-
er screamed nor moved. The face could not
see my face and kept my body still and
rolled the long, shining rings off my cold,
white fingers. 1t was an ugly face and rec
ognized it. l had seen it that morning and /
knew what lay before me. prayed inwardly
a brief prayer for help.
Turning from the glass I went steadily to-
ward the table that stood near the window
and on which had left my candle. I moved
steadily as usual, and took up the water
pitcher and looked in, and then took my can
die and went toward the kitchen. The light
ming kept flashing but the face did not come
again. dropped my candle on tie kitchen
hearth and put my foot on the wick. / SET
down the pitcher on the dresser and with
oOlG, uSub lOOtldI udStCucu tuTOuSQ Inc west
room up the front stairs, into my fathers
and softly closed and bolted the door
at the top of the stairs. l unlocked his box,
took out the bags of gold, relocked it and
made my way into the great chamber.
heard voices: heard the doors tried be-
low. knew it was not my father. dared
not tremble nor grow faint. went through
that room and two others to the garrett stairs.
L hardly breathed. / heard window pushed
up; more than one person came in at it.
felt about in the dark. There was sliding
panel in the inside of the stairway. I pushed
1t and 1t rolled back. 1 entered into long
closet under the stairs and slid the panel
carefully into its place. 1 felt cautiously to
see if all was safe. l pulled my dress close
about me lest it might be caught and the
door not closed tightly. Then i waited.
heard steps coming up the stairs. 1 heard
search through all the rooms below. NY
heart beat till thought every bound must
be audible, heard wholesome voice the Raw.
ems. 1 knew that harsh croak. 1t told me
nothing. The face had revealed all TO me.