The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-04-19
NV Peril and. Escape.

often they set out to play tricks on me,
butsit usually happened that they fell
intotheir 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. It opened
to. the south, and the two large parlors
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
at the east and back was the dairy and
another porch.s There were three
stairways leading to the upper rooms
and q garnet, whose ample space was
broken only by the great chimney in
the center. p
We had a gay and lively house, and
were used to a 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.
1t was a 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 joyously for
my father and mother to accompany
them on a pleasure.trip. They were
accustomed to this mode of impromtu
festivity, and gayly answered that
they would soon be ready. It was only
the day before that my father had re
turned from the Australian gold-helds,
and had brought with him a bag Of
gold. 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 I stood looking on with
childish pleasure at her beautiful
and rich dress, that 80 became her.
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 slight noise,
turned and saw a stranger, figure not
unusual, a man with a bundle hung on
2 stick.
He was leaning on the stone wall,
and apparently looking after the car.
riages. He came forward in mo.
ment, and asked if he might sit down
and rest, and if I 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 hurryine
to finish their work, for they were 20
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. HI
had laid his straw hat on the floor anG
! saw that his head was bald on thu
top, and the finnish hair brushed ur
from behind over it.
He had prominent ears, low fore
head, and large mouth, with reced
ing chin, where grew stubby beard
of grizzly black, like his hair. I don't
know why I observed all this, or his
eyes, small and hid under grayisf
brows, that seemed to glance furtively
about him, when no one appeared t
be looking. Ills voice was harsh ant
cr0aking, and had startled me when h,
first addressed me.
We were. used to strOllers of al
kinds, as have said. Perhaps | wa!
mentally contrasting his responsiveness.
with my fathers noble and dignifet
features. He seemed to me very ugly
was glad when he had finished hi!
meal and risen to go. He asked
permission to light his pipe, which
was readily granted. lie went ou
directly. passing accidentally through
the'dining.room and out of the grea
hall, where he fingered for momen
or two. He had thanked me civil,
enough for his breakfast, but the gill
laughed and nodded as he went out
and said they should think I had pick
ed up a raven.
All that long, bright day,I was bus,
and happy in the flower garden, O.
sewing, or reading; and when tn,
girls left, looking very cheerful a
their half holiday, I wished them
merry time. and told them not to has
ten home, for Thomas should come TO-
them. 1-expected my father and mo
Their soon after o'clock, and / toll
Thomas that he might go about tina
time, as they would soon be at home
and it looked little like rain. Heay,
clouds were gathering in the west ,ant
the thunder rumbled sullenly. H,
:: took the covered wagon and old gray
and. before he stepped in, said:
miss Ann, think you had better
fasten the doors, as you may he al
alone for a short time If l go so soon
Would you not rather that I should
wait until your father comes?'
T. ooh, no, Thomas, I don't mind be
ing alone in the least, and you ough
to 60, lest it should rain hard, for it i!
more than two miles to ride, and the,
may not wish to leave you in a minute
1expect father and mother every mo
ment. Don't wait"
. So Thomas left. and the wagon rat
tied merrily up the lane. b0lted tn,
doors, because he had told me to, TO-
otherwise would have not thought q
it. 1t grew dark rapidly, and tn
thunder began to peal heavily, Will,
the wind rose, and the flashes CT light
ming grew more vivid and frequent
Invent out of the east parlor, an,
looked to the south, but the suddel
lighting.up the sky and the fallin,
darkness did not interest me long.
could not see out very we'll, either
as the honeysuckles covered the win
dows. The large mirror reflected m