Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-18

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ing creature, ever eager to mount as high
as possible from the earth.
LISTEN" the tones grew more earnest
and intense and the words came with
greater rapidity. They tore away the
sides of the house. They began their al
terations. They occupied the remainder
of the building, for except for the noise,
the changing did not interfere with their
living They had raised the timber for
the eyrie. and they stood reaching up
toward the sky as though they would look
into it, Black clouds oversprcad the
heavens; storm came up that became one
of the events of the valley; a bolt de-
scended upon the house, striking down
every timber and riddling and honey
combng the whole length of the projected
tower before it buried itself in the earth
beneath il. The rain extinguished the
flame that had started, but the blackened
and charred timbers lay CHASTITY and for
bidding for many days. Nevertheless,
at length the work was resumed, and the
tower was ultimately finished. 1t did not
suit Mrs. Wenckheim. After few
months, much of it was torn away, and
the whole materially altered.
Still there was something wrong, and
again great changes were made. Again
and again this thing happened, and
still some part of the work did not suit
THE doctor loved his wife. and at first
laughed at her whims, but as the changes
continued, there came to him the reverse
of merriment. His professional eyes
sharpened and made apprehensive by his
love, began to see a cloud that was filled
with dread. lie detected now and then,
at first with long intervals, but at length
with growing frequency, IA scarlet red spot,
high and bright on his wiie's cheeks.
"Her ewes were cold, shiny and hard.
As she lay by his side he could feel that
her flesh was hot and dry and her pulse
galloping away with her life. Then she
murmured constantly in her sleep, and
sometimes with her eyes wide open and
the pupils dilated she abruptly raised her
hand and pointed at some object imper-
ceptibe to him, demanding that it be tax
en- away at once.
For her sake he neglected his business
and it fell off, and at length deserted him.
His grief, watchfulness and care shattered
him utterly. His wife is in an asylum for
the insane. and he is living somewhere in
the East supported by his daughters. one
of whom is a dancer in a variety theatre,
and the other a sewing girl in a large fac
tory"
1t had grown very dark by this time.
The skies were clouded, and nothing was
visible without. The gloom of the room
in which we sat had become oppressive,
and my mind was filled with vague appre-
hension that could not shake off.
moved once, for the purpose of asking
or seeing about light, but he gently laid
his hand on my arm and babe me sit quiet
saying that he had nearly ended.
The house stood empty" he continued.
rousing himself with an effort. 'uncared
for, for many months after Doctor Wenck-
helm quilted it. don't know what was
its situation, but think that one of the
doctors friends here had charge of it.
He tried to rent il in apartments, and,
indeed, once had three families here, but
none of them remained week, one of
them staying only one night, hurrying
away the next morning, saying that it was
inconvenient.
AT length came Mr.. Chippendale,
thin, dried-up old man, whose life had
been enslaved by work, and who sought
retirement and repose before the eternal
rest His agent saw this house, and bought
it without inquiry. Its cheapness was
not its attractiveness to him, for Mr.. Chip
pendale possessed millions. 1t was reno
waited and furnished as you see it now
That was nearly five years ago.
IL have said that l couldn't get away
nor stay from this house. | watched all
these preparations daily, and took part in
them. formed the acquaintance of the
agent, and helped as | could, for | was
very poor, glad to get the little sums he
gave me-"
II was here on the afternoon when the
family arrived. | saw Mr. Chippendale
descend from his coach "a sprightly little
fellow, despite his evident age, carrying a
gold-headed cane; polite and courteous,
too, handing his wife out with lover-like
tenderness. And then his daughter, with
her babe in its nurses arms
They all seemed so little and so merry
like children coming home for the
holidays--all, excepting the daughters
husband, tall, dignilied handsome.
broad-shouldered man, big enough to put
his wife into one of the pockets of his over
coat, if he so chose.
II lingerered about the premises. 1t re-
jioiced me exceedingly to see so much life
and vivacity about the place. | looked
into the kitchen and dining room. 1t was
like magic there. for all things had been SO
thoroughly prepared by the agent, even to
the'servants, with their clean white aprons.
that it were as though the family had been
away on visit, and had, at length, come
home again.
1.-The old gentleman did not rest min
ute. He was around examining the prem
ises, and audibly commenting upon them.
81 heard him as he stood by the back
porch, looking out upon that far-stretching
lawn, and then up toward the house, with
its peculiarly attractive architecture
Beautiful ~ he exclaimed-"b beautiful!
This is Paradise. This is Paradise.
would be content to rest here for ever!'
81 came early the next morning. There
was an ominous stir and hustle Mr. Chip
pendale had died in the night
1.-The family came on Friday afternoon.
On the following Tuesday morning they
departed with their dead None of them
have since returned. The agent sought
me out and put me in possession :" the old
man gasped, in kissing, hoarse whisper,
his tongue lingering on the sihilants of the
words. Possession! He put it in possess
sion of me. l shall never. never get
away from il :,