Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-20
THE UNLUCKY HOUSE.

THE UNLUCh4 HOUSE.
THAT is the place, bailie. A very I'M
lucky house, sir! would not advise you
to buy it."
Pooh You don't expect an old travel
er like me to be influenced by such a
bugbearQ"
''That is between you and your own
heart, sir; but, to tell the truth, 1t was
just because you have travelled, and seen
many an UP and many down, that | ex-
pect you to be influenced by an uncanny
name. It is the folks that have mo
changes that have no acknowledge.
I'm not superstitious man myself, but
there are things worth minding-yes, in
deedr'
The two men had checked their horses,
before large gray stone house, stand
ing on the slope of a bill that would have
been dreary in any eyes but those Of
Scotsmen. Rugged and bleak, with
clumps of dark fir here and there, and
patches of dull heather invading 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 attempt
at gardening there had ever been. In
fact, nothing now remained of it except q
weedy, gravelly walk that led to black
lake, which spread itself toward tie n oor,
and was gradually lost IN the boys and
marshes around.
Those hills in the background and
this marsh ought to furnish good sport,
Brodie"
"Ah, but binds and red deer know
many thing beyound cur kenning.
The deer have left the hills, and the birds
have found cannier places to build than
those dark, shiny sedges. Whites they
could teach us a lesson. if we were not
too set in our own ways to mind them.
am speaking to ease my own mind,
baiIie; l know we'll 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 chen-stained, melan-
choly house in the midst of it. and then
asked, abruptly: What did you call the
place, Brodie2'
81 never called its name at all, sir.
More than hundred years syne some
BODY called it Gross basket'--a very
proper name, for every generation has
seen it's basket and store crossed more
and more, till at last basket, store, and
money pounCh are all but empty
"Who is the owner nOw?"
Sholto MacNair He's but poor lad
for alaird-aye dawdling about the hills
with pencil, they say" g 80
81 think / will go and see him. There
is no harm in speering the price of g
place"
you'll do your will, doubtless, Baltic
and it is none my interest to say
Don't Still you are my own cousin
four times removed, and I would bt
loath to see you buy bad luck with good
gold" -
81 am not set on buying, Brodie. II
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?"
81 mind her well, bailie. She has beer
dead many year now, and if you ar
bent on seeing FER son, good day t.
YOU; it is little time have for pickin;
up dropped threads"
So the lawyer and his friend parted
the one trotting gently back to the city
the other, after tying his horse to tn
gate of the deeaying house. saunterin!
thoughtfully toward its entrance.
His summons at the door was answeret
by an old woman, whose first greetin
was anything but hOspitable: "Y
medina ring sac loud sir; we're neithe
deaf nor dead Within .t l.
.sCan see Mr.. MacNair2" ---.-....
sThat depends on What's speering fc
him. The laird Gamma be intruded on b
every ane that has MAR TIME than gowde
sense"
Then a door softly opened, and.
Young man in loose, slovenlY dress az
preached. walk in, sir" he said, in
manner that indicated at once the ner,
business of the recluse and the courtesy 4
natural gentleman. = 80
There was bright fire in the roo
into which be preceded his visitor, but
did little to relieve the airsof utter decs
and desolate neglect which was its pr
vailing character. The stone floor WI
but partially .coveredIwith ragged carpe
the furniture was broken and moth-eate
the walls were stained with damp, ar
the dropping paper green with milde'
The bailie felt sudden chill, and it W
difficult for a moment 10 state his ve
rand. When at length 1t was done, Il
young laird sighed and answered:
''Dead2 Yes, sir. She died slo
weary death in this very room. Perha
you were her friend2"I TUE u
$50 truely her friend that would ia
be friend to her Child" and he sto
up and offered his hand with fran
hearty manner quite irresistible to t
sensitive young man. He was you
indeed, apt TO inspire liking in hei
linking him with tender memories.
had bright spiritual face, set in s
dark curley hair, Morse bone, and Gel
blood, and that quick observation a
sympathetic nature that is always rea
to take hint or develop resource.
Consequently it was easy for a pers