The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-02-01
THE UNLUCkY HOUSE.

That is Tire place, baltic. \ very
unlucky house, sir, would no, advise
YOU to buy it,
Pooh You don't expect an old
traveller like me to be influenced by such
bugbesry
That is between YOU and your own
heart, sir but, to tell the truth. it was
Just because you have travelled. and
seen many an up and MANY down,
that expected YOU To be influenced by
an uncanny name. 1t is the folks that
have no changes, that have no fore
knowledge and no back-knowledge.-
I'm not superstitious man myself, but
there are things worth minding-ves,
in,ieed :"
The two men had checked their
horses before a large gray stone house
standing on the slope of a hill that
would have been drearv in any eyes
but those Of Scoismen. Rugged and
bleak. with clumps of dark fir here and
there, and patches of dull heather in
vading the brown bare bits Of pasture
ground The frs had been thickly
planted round the house, and had in the
course Of three or four generations
overgrown any attempts at gardening
there had ever been. In fact, nothing
now remained of it except weedy
gravely walk that led to black lake
which spread itself toward the moor,
and was gradually lost ia the bogs and
marshes around.
Those hills in the background and
this marsh ought TO furnish good sport,
Brodic"
"Av. but birds and red deer know
many a thing beyond our kenning.-
The deer have left the hills, aud the
birds have found cannier places TO build
in than those dark Shiny sedges
Whites they could teach Us lesson if
we were not too set in our own ways 10
mind them. am speaking 10 case nv
own mind, baile: know well YOU will
do just as YOU like"
Bailie Allister did not answer at once
He took in the whole gray, dreary land.
scape, with the ichen-staiued melan-
choly house in the midst Of II. and then
asked, abruptly, What did you call
the place, Brodie -
| never called its name at all. sir
More than hundred years syne some
body called it 'Crossbasket "a very
proper name, for every generation has
seen its basket and store crossed more
and more, till at last basket, store and
money pouch are all but empty"
WHO is the owner now -
"Shoio MacNair He's but a poor
lad for laird-sye dawdling about the
hills with a pencil. they saw"
IL think | will go in and see him.
There is no harm in speering the price
of a place
You'll do your will, doubtless,
baiie and it is none of nv interest 10
say, Don't Still you are nv own
cousin four times removed, and would
be leash to see you buy bad luck with
good geld"
:" am not set on buyi.g, Brodie
To tell the truth, | knew this lads
mother twenty-five years ago, and |
would like TO see her son. Poor Grace
Larimer, You'll mind Grace Larimer
Brodie -
Il mind her well, bailie She has
been dead many year now, and if you
are bent on seeing her sou, q good
day TO you: il IS little time have fol
picking up dropped threads"
So the lawyer and his friend parted
the on trotting gently back to tn,
city; the other, after tying his horse tc
the gate Of the decaving house. saun
tering thoughtfully toward its entrance
His summons at the door was answered
was anything but hospitable: "Ye
medina ring sac loud, sir: we're neither
deaf nor dead within"
Can | see Mr. MacNair 80
That depends on wha's speering fol-
him. The laird Gamma be intruded on
by every ane that has mair time than
gowd or sense"
Then q door softly opened, and a
young man in loose, sovenlv undress
approached. Walk in, sir" he said
with q manner that indicated at once
the nervousness Of the recluse and the
NobiNS' VI ~
There was bright fire in the room
into which he preceded his visitor, bu,
it did little to relieve the air Of utter
decay and desolate neglect which was
its prevailing character. The stone
floor was but partially covered with a
ragged carpet, the furniture was broken
and moth eaten, the walls were stained
with damp, and the dropping paper
green with mldew The bailie felt 4
sudden chill, and il was difficult for n
moment 20 state his errand. When n,
length it was done, the Young laird
sighed and answered
" Dead ! Yes, sir. She died slow,
weary death in this very room Per-
haps you were her friend ?"
SO truly her friend that | would
fain be friend 10 her child: :" and he
stood up aud offered his hand with a
frank, hearty manner quite irresistible
to the sensitive yonng man lie was a
youth, indeed, apt to inspire liking in
heart linking him with tender memo
ries. He had bright, spiritual face.
set in soft, dark, curly hair, Morse bone
and Celtic blood. and that quick obser-
walton and sympathetic nature that is
always ready TO take hint or develop
resource.
Consequently ii was easy for a per-
son disposed to he his friend to find out
the best way to extend help True, he
had youths shame about poverty.
but be had also Youths hope and
youths confidence in his own resources.
He exhibited with Il kind of eager mod
esty his numerous pictures and studies
OF Scotch life and scenery, and the old
man knew enough and had Travelled
enough to he aware that they showed
signs Of great genius
But it was not these pretentious
works that attracted him most: il was
some papers lying loosely on the table,
covered with quaint designs of flowers
and stars and dots and crosses. He