The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-04-19
MY PERIL AND ESCAPE.

do perilous feats of various kinds, which
challenges l never refused. Often they
set out to play tricks on me, but it usual
ly happened they fell into their own
traps, while l performed my part in
safety.
We lived in large old house, built OF
English oak, and bearing it's nearly two
centuries very lightly. 1t opened to the
south, aud 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, some
times 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.
tire.
We had gay and lively house, and
were used to great deal OF company
and visitors, for my parents were great
ly given to the old-fashioned virtue OF
hospitality. The humblest waytarer
coming in at the porch was entertained
kindly and given God-speed, as we'll as
the guest whose elegant carriage and
span drove around to the front aOor on
the southern side.
1t was summer day, and warm,
bright, and beautiful. The morning
promised lovely day. just alter our
early breakfast merry party came rid
ing down the lane in carriages and on
horseback, and yelling joyously for my
father and mother to accompany them
on pleasure trip. They were accus-
toned to this mode OF impromptu testiv-
ity, and gayly answered 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 nim the night
before counting some out OF it and put
ting it in another bag.
Thomas brought the chaise to the door.
Fathers favorte black horse, whose
coat looked like lustrous velvet, and
who stepped SO proudly, was paving
the ground impatiently as he appeared.
lie handed in my beautiful mother, and
| stood looking ON with childish pleas
ure at her beautiful and rich dress, that
so became her.
hastened indoors again to see them
wind down the private way that led
through our extensive grounds, and
half wished l were old enough to 60
with them. Hearing a slight noise,
turned and saw a stranger, d figure not
unusual, Il man with bundle hung on a
stick.
lie 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
something to eat. Of course l said yes,
and with steps soon had him a suDstan-
tial 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 to spend the evening.
They taxed gayly about their visit, pay
ing little attention to the stroller, who
was quietly eating. He had laid his hat
on the floor and l saw that his head was
bald on the top, and the thinnish hair
brushed up from behind over it.
Hehad prominent ears, low forehead,
and large mouth, with receding chin,
where grew a stubby beard of grizzly
black, like his hair. don't know why
observed all this, or his eyes, small and
hid under grayish brOws, thatseemed 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 l have said. Perhaps L was men
tally contrasting his responsiveness with
nv fathers noble and dlgnitied features
He seemed to me very ugly. l was glad
when he had finished his meal and risen
to 20. He asked permission TO light h is
nine. which was readily granted. He
went out directly, passing accidentally
ha m N NJ nf
great hall, Wnere ne fingered for mo-
ment or two. He mad thanked me civil
ly enough tor his breakfast, but the girls
laughed and nodded as he went out, and
sai4 they should think mad picked up a
raven.
All that long, bright day, was busy
and happy in tAe flower garden, or sew
ing, or reading; and when the girls left
looking very cueeriul at their half holi-
day, wished them u merry time, anC
told them not to hasten home, for ThOm.
as should come for them. l expected my
father and mother soon after 3 O'clock
and l told Thomas that he might 20
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 rumDled sui.
leuly, He took the covered wagon anu
old gray, and, before he stepped in
SAID:
"Miss Ann, think you had BETTE
tasten the doors, as you may be all alont
tor a short time il go SO soon. Woult
YOU not rather that l should wait unit
your father comeT
"Oh, no, Thomas, don't mind beinl
alone In the least, and you ought to go
lest-it should rain hard, for 1t is NOR,
than two miles to ride, and they may
not wish to leave you in u minute. lex
pect father and mother every moment
Don't wait"
So Thomas left, and the wagon ratified
merrily up the lane. l bolted the doors
because he had told me to, for otherwise
| would not have thought of 1t. 1t grew
dark rapidly, ana the thunder began tt
peal heavily, while the wind rose, anc
The flashes OF Lighting grew more vivit
and frequent. l went out to the cas-
parlor, and looked to the south, but th,
sudden lighting-up Ot the sky and tn,
| falling darkness did not interest M
long. could not see out very wen
either, as the honeysuckles covered tn,
windows, The large mirror ref !ctet
me as l turned away to cross the room
and l stopped moment with natura
vanity, for 1 was young, ana fair enough
| to look upon.
let all my hair fall loose, and wount
| it in long, shining cufls over my fingers
1t certainly did look handsome, for i
was very thick, and fell below my wal st
I laAFl al. .,.NIf "a E..h