The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-04-18
NV Psrl snd Escape.

was very bold and fearless girl,
and my brothers and sisters often dared
me to go into lonely places in the dark,
or to do rerilous feats of various kinds,
which challenges l never refused.
Often they set out to play tricks on me,
but it usually happenfd that they fell
into their own traps while performed
my part in safety.
We lived in II large old house, built
Of English oak, and bearing its nearly
two centuries very lightly. 1t opened
to the south, and the two large parl0rs
looked to the east and west. The din.
ing 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
1T 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 u gay and lively house, and
were used to Il great deal OF company
and visitors, for my parents were great
~ given to the old-fashioned virtue Of
hospitality. The humblest wayfarer
coming in at the porch was entertained
kindly and given God.speed, as well as
the guest whose elegant carriage and
span drove around to the front door ON
the southern side.
It was a summer day. and warm,
bright and baautiful. The morning
promised " lovely day. Just after our
early breakfast 4 merry party came
riding down the lane in carriages and
on horseback, and yelling joyously for
my father and mother to accompany
them on y pleasure.trip. They were
accustomed to this mode of impromtu
festivity, and gayly answered that
they would soon be ready. It was only
turned from the Australian gold-fields,
and had brought with him a bag OF
gold. l knew he had this, for l had
seen him the night before counting
some out Of it and putting it into an
other bag.
Thomas brought the chaise to the
door. Fathers favorite black horse,
whose coat looked like lustrous velvet,
and who stepped so proudly, was paw
Ing the ground impatlently as he ap-
peared. He handed in my beautiful
mother. and stood looking on with
childish pleasure at her beautiful
and rich dress, that SO became her.
I fastened indoors again to see them
wind down the private way that led
through Our extensive grounds, and
half wished were old enough to go
with them. Hearing a slight noise, I
k,,r oI OF ut
unusual, 4 man with a bundle hung on
stick.
He was leaning on the stone wall
and apparently looking after the car.
riages. He came forward in a mo.
ment, and asked 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
asubstantial 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 go.
ing out to tea and to spend the even
ing. 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
I saw that his head was bald on the
top, and the thinnish hair brushed up
from behind over it..
He had prominent ears, low fore.
head. and large mouth, With a reced-
ing chin, where grew q stubby beard
of grizzly black, like his hair. I don't
know why l 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 have said. Perhaps I was
mentally contrasting his responsiveness
with my fathers noble and digni6ed
features. He seemed to me very ugly.
I was glad when he had finished his
meal and risen to go. He asked
permission to light his pipe, which
was readily granted. He went out
directly, passing accidentally through
the dining.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
laughed and nodded as he went out,
and said they should think I had pick
ed up a raven. o..'JI +.ie@ 20, ; -.
All that long, bright day,I was busy
and happy in the flower garden, or
sewing. or reading; and when the
girls left, looking very cheerful at
their half holiday, 1 wished them a
merry time. and told them not to has.
ten home, for Thomas should come for
them. / expected my father and mo.
Their soon after 8 o'clock, and I told
Thomas that he might go about that
time, as they would soon be at home,