The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1877-02-09
THE RAvEx VOICE.


and my brothers and sisters often dared
ane togo into lonely places in the dark,
sor do perilous feats of variuns kinds.
which challenges never refused. OF
Sesa they set out to play tricks on me,
but it usually happened that they fell
into their own traps, while performed
my part in safety.
VeEy possibly the consciousness that
they were about to dupe me gave me
more courage than l would otherwise
have had, for any unusual noise or ap-
pearance would be attributed TO one or
another coming to frighten me.
But, night or day, | used to go
&trzight up to aud touch whatever
seemed fearful, and finding the object
Of doubt resolved itself into very sim
pie elements, acquired an ease which
stood me instead in times OF real dan
GET,
ss We lived in a large old house built
at English oak and bearing its nearly
two centuries very lightly. 1t opened
20 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 an other large
room sometimes called the great porch,
and at the east and back was the dairy
and another porch.
There were three stairways leading
60 the upper rooms, aud garret. whose
ample space was broken only by the
great chimney in the center.
We had gay and lively house, and
were used to great deal of company
and visitors, for my parents were great
y given to the old-faskioned virtue of
hospitality.
The humblest wayiarer coming in at
the porch was entertained kindly and
bade Godspecd, as we'll as the guest
whose elegant carriage and span drove
round TO the front door on the Southern
side.
am not going now t. tell you of
any handsome gentle parents, or my
brothers and sisters-only about myself.
% There were great many of us when
we we're all at home, especially in the
Winter holidays, but at times we were
nearly all away.
Boarding schools, academies, travel
ing-all claimed us at various times.
Yet it was rare indeed that one was
ever at home alone
1t so happered, however, and to me.
It was a Summer day, and warm,
bright, and beautiful The morning
promised lovely day. Just after our
carly breakfast, merry party came
riding down the lane, in carriages and
'on horseback, ard calling loyously for
my father and mother to accompany
= them on 3 pleasure trip. They were
accustomed to this mode of improptu
E fe<tiyity, aud gaily answered that they
would soon be ready.
It was only the day before that my
father had returned from the Australian
gold fields and had brought with him
q bag of gold. l knew be had this, for
/ had seen him the night before count
ing some Of it, and putting it into an
other bag, and badly wanted to ask
him TO give me one of the pretty coins.
but was too well taught to interrupt or
tease him.
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 impatiently as he ap.
pGeStCAs Liz t&laG4 t1S 0Eo0bAlu
mother, and I stood looking on with
childish pleasure at her beauty and rich
dress that so became her. My fathea
suddenly turned to me and said, taking
his key. to his iron-bound box:
Run, Ann, and get me the little bag
you saw me put away last night
was proud 20 be so trusted but
when quickly returned with it, he wa
already in the chaise, and part way tC
the gate. He looked ont and said
No matter, now, Ann, you may pu
it back again, for we are going anothe
road, and | will pay Harris tomorrow
Take care. OF the key, my dear, anc
good bye"
Goodbye, and good time to you,
laughingly replied and ran back {,
pnt the treasure in safety.
FASTENED indoors again to see then
wind down the private way that raj
through our extensive grounds, ant
ghalfwished / were old enough to q,
with them. Hearing slight noise
turned and saw stranger, q figure no
snausnal, q man with bundle hung OF
assticlS.s "
q. He was leaning on the stone wall
apparently looking after the carriages
He came forward in a moment, am
asked If he might sit down and rest
and If / would kindly give him drinl
b0f sbeers Beer was as free as wate
with u.s. e3s 50 aa#
~ OfcourseI said yes and with ligh
steps soon had him a substantial luncl
of bread, cheese, and beer, which b
came into the kithen TO eat Betse'
.asd Hannah were busy, hurrying t
.6pish their work, for they. were goins