Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-02-21

THE LONG P4Ck.

Harry?" she asked. GraNe or gay.
true or untrue, pleasant or sad? For
nv life has been long and my expert
ences many" she added, as she gazed
dreamily and thoughtfully into the fire
that blazed on the hearth before us.
"Oh, something narrowing and thrill
ing. fearful and shocking, and above
ali, true-there's dear aunty" eX-
claimed as drew near her side, and
gazed shudderingly around the large,
gloomy room.
A little pause ensued, while aunty
gazed nfeditatively into the fire, and |
watching her face i'll eager hope of the
exciting tale that was coming.
was about 10 AUNT Betsey began
at last) when was invited to go and
stay with some relatives III Sussex,
whom L had never seen. My life III
this old house-where l was born and
have lived all my days-was somewhat
monotonouS. l was u lively girl then,
and, wild with delight at the prospect
of Il change of scene, looked auxiously
for my parents permission to accept
the invitation.
After some deliberation, the desired
permission was given; so, early one
morning, accompanied by my father, |
set out in high spirits for my destination,
arriving there i'll the pleasant twilight
of an autumn evening.
Our friends gave us Il cordial recep-
ton. Squire and Mrs. Oldham were
staid, good-tempered, rather elderly
people, and their two daughters-girls
of Is and 20-as merry ard us wild as
u xo1,,,lN1,, I'M -,
were Mildred and Janet.
The house, standing on its OVID
grounds, and surrounded by lofty trees,
was old and spacious-w with many long
corridors and passages, and plenty of
rooms of all sizes and descriptions. l
can recall so we'll the great entrance
hall. 1t was of immense size and
gloomy, and from it assembled wide
staircase which led to an open gallery
above.
During my stay with my Sussex
friends, Mr.. and Mrs. Oldham went TO
spend II few days at y gentleman's house
II few miles distant from their own, and
TWAS while they were absent that the
alarming occurrence l am about to re-
late to you took place.
Ter and four maid servants. The coach
man, who lived in u cottage on the
grounds about quarter of a mile dis
tant, was now absent with his master
and mistress. The butler was pom
pous, stately, middle-aged man. given
somewhat to patronizing, though al
ways respectful in his manners to us
young people. He evidently consider
ed the safety ofthe house as his pecu-
liar charge. and was very particular in
the extinguishing of fires, and in look
ing after the fastening of doors and
windows
We had heard of one or two robber-
les being committed in the neighbor-
mood; but we did not feel nervous and
my cousin placed great dependence on
huge black dog which always slept ut
night in the hall.
One evening | believe it was the third
after Mr.. and Mrs. Oldham's depar-
ture-my cousins and / were sitting
chatting merrily around the fire in a
large room which opened from the hail.
think it was about o'clock, when
there came a pull at the front door bell,
and after short delay, the butler an
swered it. Presently, heariug a some
what prolonged parley outside, we
opened our room and peeped out.
Two men, apparently much ex-
naused, stood at the lower end of the
hall, while on the floor at their feet lay
II large, long package. Opposite to
them stood the butler and one of the
maid servants, and stormy discussion
seemed going on between them. Mil
dred, my elder cousin, after few
moments pause, walked forward and
requested an explanation. One Of
them, rather respectable looking in
dividual, thought, advanced toward
her, and making low bow, began to
speak:
MADAME" said he, eve have brought
this bale of goods to your house by mis-
take; we were to take it to Mr.. Need
hams" mentioning house about five
miles distant, "but have carried it here
instead. We are much exhausted, for
we have walked far. the night is temp
ostuous, and we feel that we can take it
no farther VIII You kindly allow us to
leave it here till morning.
Mildred locked at the butler inquir-
ngly before she answered. The old
servant shook his head with a doubtful
and suspicious air, whereupon the
man who had stspoken observed hast
lily:
ave do not ask for lodging for our
selves, madame, we shall make our way
to the nearest public house. 1t is only
the pack we wish to leave. II is very
heavy, and we vii! call for il in good
time tomorrow. We throw ourselves
upon your compassion /
"Let the poor men leave their large
package, Mildred, said Janet, my
younger cousin, "and have il put into
the ante-room until tomorrow"
Mildred consented, and in disregard
of the frown and ominous looks Of the
butler, ordered the pack to be carried
into little room near the entrance.
This was done, and glad and thankful
was to see tile door bolted and barred
behind the formidable strangers. I'll
seemed TO me dangerous risk, in our
thinly peopled household, to admit two
strangers at that time or the evening. |
had noticed, too, that they glanced