The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-08-12

bell was tolled every year. Why, no
one could tell; for, though the Squire
had been rich, he had also been snug, If
not miserly, and exacting, as many an
unfortunate tenant of his-and he had
owned half the village-could testify
Perhaps the reason was that as Squire
Lowell had been held in awful respect
by the simple villagers during life, their
veneration for him resulted in keeping
lbs anniversary by tolling the bell as it
had been tolled at his funeral five years
previously.
There bung mystery over his death.
He lived In the old family mansion on
the skirts of the village, and, although
known to possess wealth, had lived en-
tirely alone, as he had no relations
True, he had a nephew, Eugene Lowell,
q harum-scarum boy of sixteen, who,
having rebelled against the authority of
his severe and exactng uncle, ran away,
and had never since been heard of. This
occurred short time previous to the
'squire's death. The old man, brooding
and revengeful by nature, cut his
nephew off without o shilling, leaving
all of his accumulated wealth to the son
of his old nurse. The will was drawn
on the 9th of October, 1874, and the next
morning the squire was found dead in
his bed.
Stricken by heart disease, some said
apoplexy, suggested others. But not
few whispers floated about that, as the
Squire had been of robust habit, and on
the day of the drawing of the will had
been in excellent health, his sudden
death was marvellous and suspicious
But no marks of violence were perceiv-
ed on his person, and the old Squire
was buried, the house was closed up to
all saving bats, owls, rats, mice, and
spiders, and the fortunate heir obtained
possession of his fortune.
But although the squire was dead, he
was not forgotten. On every ami
versary, when Adam Hill tolled the
church-bell at sunset, the villagers
would think kindly of the stern old
Squire, whom in. life they feared, and
speculate .on the cause of his DEATH
Each succeeding anniversary augmented
the number of those who believed the
old man had met with foul play, until
finally, on the present one, not a man or
woman in the village had different
opinion. But suspicion attached itself
to no one, and no attempt was ever
made to ascertain the cause of his death.
AS previously mentioned, the Squire
bequeathed his entire property to the
son of his old nurse, Gilbert Ray. Prior
to the 'squire's death, "Gill Ray" as he
was familiarly called, had been employ
ed by the neighboring farmers in COM
mon farm labor. He was young man
of industrious habits, but close-fisted
and moody and, being, morose, venge-
full, and averse to the society of his ac-
quaintances, had acquired the name of
Ozark Gill;" = though he was never
addressed by this sobriquet, as he pos
.sessed a terrible temper, and visited
vengeance on those who provoked it.
After the 'squire's death, Dark Gil
went out to farm service no more, but
shrewdly invested that portion of the
inheritance which consisted of money,
and employed himself in attending to
his tenants.
The tenantry had deemed the squire
an eXacting landlord, but Dark Gil
proved far more so. Woe TO the unfor-
tunate delinquent, for he showed him
no mercy. On rent-day he regularly
appeared, and coldly demanded the rent.
If it was forthcoming, he received it in
silence; if not, no matter how reason.
able the excuse advanced by the tenant
it was no avail, = for Dark Gil Would
seize household goods to its equivalent
value. He was inexorable, and the vii.
lagers' dislike of him increased every
rent-day.
1t was a subject of occasional com
ment among the villagers that Dark Gil
never visited the mansion house. In
deed, he seemed to avoid it; for sine,
the 'squire's death he had not visited it
and allowed it to run to decay quietly.
The sexton's wife sat knitting unit
the bell ceased to toll. Soon afterwarG
the door burst open, and in came Adam
Hill, excited and trembling, with 1ooh
of awe and alarm on his wrinkleC
face.
Husband husband - cried tn,
goodwife, as Adam sank into the neares
chair.