Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-03-14
THE UNLUOKY HOUSE.


you to buy it."
"Poohl You don't expect an old
traveller like me to be influenced by
such bugbearP"
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 mo changes that have no fore
knowledge and no back-knowledge.
I'm not superstitious man myself, but
there are things worth minding-
indeedr'
The two men had checked their
horses before large gray stone-house
standing 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 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 foufegenerations
overgrown any attempts at gardening
there had ever been. In fact, nothing
now remained of it except a weedy,
gravelly walk that led to 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,
Brodie."
Gay, but birds and red deer know
many thing beyond our kenning. The
deer have left the hills, and the birds
have found cannier places to build in
than those dark Shiny sedges. They
could teach as a lesson, if we were
not too set in our own ways to mind
them. l am speaking to ease my own
mind, bailie; know you will do just
as you ike
Bailie Allister did not answer at once.
He took in the whole gray, dreary land
scape, with the lichen-stained melan-
choly house in the midst of it, and then
asked, abruptly, "What did you call
the place, BrodieP'
90 l never called its name at all, sir.
More than a hundred years syne some
body called it Gross basket "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 nowP"
"Sholto MacNair. He's but poor
lad for a laird-aye dawdling about the
hills with a pencil, they say"
II think will go in and see him.
There is no harm in speering the price
of place"
You'll do your will, doubtless,
bailie; ard it is none of my interest to
say: Don't Still you are my cousin
four times removed, and L would be
loath to see you buy bad luck with good
gold"
Il am not set on buying, Brodie.
To tell the truth, knew this lad S
mother twenty-five years ago, and /
would like to see her son. Poor Grace
Larimer! You'll mind Grace Larimer,
BrodieP"
l mind her well, 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 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, saun-
tering thoughtfully toward its entrance.
His summons at the door was an
swared by ON old wOmau, wiIUso 6rO'
greeting was anything but hospitable
"Ye medina ring sac loud, sir; we'r,
neither deaf nor dead within"
"Can see Mr.. MacNair?"
"That depends on whats speerine
for him. The laird Gamma be intruded
on by every ane that has mair time
than gowd or sense"
Then a door softly opened, and a
young man in loose, slovenly undress
approached. "Walk in, SIR" he said
with manner that indicated at once
the nervousness of the recluse and the
courtesy of a natural gentleman.
There was bright fire in the room
into which he preceded his visitor, but
1T did little to relieve the air of utter
decay and desolate neglect which wa:
its prevailing character. The stone
floor was but partially covered with 9
ragged carpet, the furniture was broken
and moth-eaten, the walls were stained
with damp, and the dropping paper
green with mildew. The bailie felt 8
sudden chill, and it was difficult for q
moment to state his errand. When al
length 1t was done, the young lairC
sighed and answered:
"DeadP Yes, sir. She died a slow
weary death in this very room. Per
haps you were her friendP"
$50 truly her friend that 1 would
fain be friend to her child" and he
stood up and offered his hand with 6
frank, hearty manner quite irresistible
10 the sensitive young man. He was 6
youth, indeed, apt to inspire liking in
heart linking him with tender memo
ries. He had bright, spiritual face, sci
in soft dark curly hair, Morse bone and
Celtic blood, and that quick obserya
ton and sympathetic nature that is al
ways ready to take hint or develop 8
resource.
Consequently it was easy for per
son disposed TO be his friend to find out
the best way to extend help. True, ht
had youths shame about poverty, bu
he had also youths hope and youth'i
confidence in his own resources. II,
exhibited with kind of eager modest,
his numerous pictures and studies O.
Scotch life and scenery. and the ole
man knew enough and had Travelled
enough TO be aware that they showed
signs Of great genius.
But twas not these pretentious work,
that attracted him most; it was som,
papers lying loosely on the table, GOV
cred with quaint designs of flowers anC
stars and dots and crosses. He lifted
these with the curiosity and the eye O
one who thoroughly understands sub
lect and is greatly interested in it
Sholto blushed deeply, and nervousl,
tried TO draw off his VISITORS attention
But the bailie seemed for few minute
quite absorbed in the work and in hi
own thoughts. Then he calculated
:. Beautiful Are these your designs
Mr.. MaeNairP'
eyes, sir; | do a little in that wa,
sometimes. In fact, l am obliged TO