Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1877-09-27
MY PERIL AND ESCAPE.

/ was o Every bold and fearless
girl, ,.and my brothers and sisters Of
ten dared me Co 90 ic8to lonely places
i'm the dark, or do perilous feats OF
various kinds, which challenges j
never refused. Often they set out
TO play tricks on Me. but it usually
happened they fell into their own
traps, while performed my part LIN
.fety.
WeIived lin % large old house,
built OF English oak, and bearing
its nearly two centuries very light
Nv. lt opened TO the south, and the
two large parlors opened TO the east
and west. The dining-hall and spa
cions Kitchen ffrnRed the square OF
the house, while at the west and
back was another large rooR' some
times 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
and a garret, whose ample space was
broken only by the great chimney
III the centre.
We had a gay and lively house,
and were used to o great deal of
company and visitors. for my par.
ents were grea ely given to the old
fashioned virtue OF hospitality. The
humblest wayfarer coming inAt the
porch was entertained kindly and
given God-speed, as well as the
guest whose elegant carriage and
span drove around to the frontdoor
on the southern side.
It was q summer day, and warm,
bright and beautiful. The morning
promised o. lovely day. Just after
our early breakfast merry part
came riding down the lane in ear
riageB and OH horseback, and yelling
joyonsly for my father and mother
60 accompany them on a pleasure
trip. They were accustomed TO this
mode or impromptu festivity. and
gaIly answered that they would soon
he ready. It was only the day be-
fore that my father had retained
from the Austria han gold fields, and
had brought with him bag OF gold.
] knew he had this, for L had seen
him the night befo re counting some
ont of itand putting IL into another
bag.
Thomas brought the chaise 60
the door. Fathers favorite black
horse, whose coat looked like luS-
trous velvet, and who stepped 10
proudly, was paving the ground i'm
patiently as he appeared. He hand
ed in my beautiful mother, and j
stood looking on with childish pleas
ure at her beautiful and rich dresa,
that 30 becane her.
i hasten ID indoors again to see
them wind down the private way
that led through our extensive
grounds and half wished I were old
enough to go with them. Hearing
n sdigIk neise, 4 turned and saw a
stranger, o figure not unusual, o.
man with a bundle hung ON stick.
He was leaning ON the stone wall,
and apparently looking after the
carriages. He came forward I'm a
moment, and asked IL he might sit
down and rest, and if / would kind
ly give him something TO eat. OF
course I said yes, and, with quick
steps, soon had him q substantial
lunch of bread and cheese, which he
came into the kitchen to eat. Betsy
and Hannah were busy hnrrying to
finish their work, for they were GO
ing ont TO tea and to spend the
evening. They talked gayly about
their visit, paying little attention to
the stroller, who was quietly eat
ing. lie had laid his straw hat on
rho floor, and / saw that bis head
was bald on top, and the thinnish
liair brushed mp frotR behind over it.
He had prominent ears, loW fore
head and large mouth, with a reced-
ing chin, where grew astabby beard
or grizzly black like his halr. Il
don't know why 4 observed a1 this,
or his eyes, small and hid under gray
ish br0ws that seemed TO glance fur
lively about him when NO enc ap-
peayed to he lock Ing. Ills voice
was harsh aac .crealsing, and had
startled me when herfirst addressed
me.
We Were used Co gtrollers OH all
kinds, as have said. Perhaps i
WAS mentally contrasting his repul-
siyeness with my fathers noble and
dignified features. He seemed to
nle very ugly. i was glad when he
had Gsslshed his meal and risen to
go. lie asked permission 10 light
liis pipe, which was peadily granted.
lie went out directly passing acci.
dentally through the dining room