The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-02-19
THE UNLUCKY HOUSE.

l.
"That is the place, baltic. A very
unlucky house, sir I would not advise
you to buy it,"
"Pooh You don't expect an old
traveller like me to be Influenced BY such
bugbear?
"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
I expected you to be influenced by an
uncanny name. It is the folks that have
mo changes, that have no fore.knowl-
edge. I'm not a superstitious man my
self, but there are things worth minding
yes, indeed y
The two men had checked their horses
before large gray stone house, stand
ing on the slope of hill that would
have been dreary in any eyes but those
of Scotsmen. Rugged and bleak, with
clumps OF dark fir hero AMI 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
a weedy, gravelly walk that led to a
black lake, which spread itself toward
the moor, and Was gradually lost in the
bogs and marshes around.
"Those hills in the background and
this marsh ought to furnish good sport,
Bredie."
say, but birds and red deer know
many a thing beyond our ke2ning. The
deer have left the hills, and the birds
have found cannier places to build than
those dark, Shiny sedges. Whiles they
could teach us lesson, il we we're not
too set in our own ways to mind them.
I am speaking to ease my own mind,
bailie; I know well you will do just as
you like"
Bsilie Allister did not answer at once.
BE took in the whole gray, dreary land
cape, with the lichen. stained, melancholy
house in The midst of it, and then asked,
abruptly: "What did You call the place,
Brodie 2"
"I never called its name at all, sir
More than hundred years. syne some
body called it 'Cross-basket "a very
proper name, for every generation has
seen its basket and store crossed more
and mere, till at last basket, store, ami
money pouch are all but empty"
"Who is the owner now ?"
I "Sholto MacNair. He's but poor
lad for laird-aye dawdling about the
hills with pencil, they say"
CT think I will 60 and see him.
There is no harm in speering the price
OF a place"
"You'll do your will, doubtless, bal
lie; and it is none OF my interest to say,
Don't Still you ale my own cousin
four times removed, and 1 would be
loath to see you buy bad luck With good
gold"
"I am not set on buying, Brolie
To tell the truth, I knew this lads moth
er twenty five years ago, and I would
like to see her son. Poor Grace Lari-
mer! You'll mind Grace Larimer,
Brodie ?"
ssI mind her we'll, bailie. She has
been dead many year now, and if You
are bent on seeing her son, good
day to you; it is little time I have for
picking 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 the
gate of the decaying house, sannteripg
thoughtfully toward its entrance.
His summons at the door was answer
ed by an old woman, whose first greet
ing was anything but hospitable: eye
medina ring sac loud, sir; we're uc;thtr
deaf nor dead within.
"Can sec Mr.. MacNair %
"That depends en- wha's speerlng for
him. The laird Gamma be intruded on by
every ane that has mair time than gowiol
sense"
Then a door softly opened, and 9
young man in a loose, slov,nly Gress ap
preached. "Walk il, sir" he said. i:
O mauucr tEaS indicated nj once th@
neryousre f of tho rec!use and tEt
courtesy OF a nasural gentlena'.
There was bright fire n the room
into which be preceded his visitor, bu'
it did little to relieve the air Of utter
decay and desolats neglect which was its
prevailing character. The stcne foo:
|. was but partially covered with ragged
carpet, the furniture was broken and
mcth- eaten, tho walls were stained with
damp, and the dropping paper green
with milIew. The haiiie felt sudden
chill, aud it WAS difficult for moment
to state bis erran6. When at length it
was done, the young laird sighed and
answered:
Dead? Yes, sir. She died n slow,
weary death in this very room. Perhaps
you were her frieud?"
$50 truly her friend that I would fair
be a friend TO her child" and he stood
MP ard offered his hapd with frank,
hearty manner quite irresistible 70 the
sensitive young man. He was ayonth,
indeed, apt TO inspire liking in heart
linking him with tender memories. He
I haAa a bright spiritual face. eel in soft
dark curly hair, Morse bone, and Celii>
biooJ, and that quick observation auc
sympathetic nature that is always real. s
to take hint or develop - resource.
Consequently it was easy for Il person
disposed to be his friend to find out the
best way to extend help. True, he haf
< youths shame nboJlt poverty. but he
had al5o youth's hope and yonth's con
ftience in his own resources He ex
hibited with kind of eager modest.
L.