The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-02-23
WAS HE MAD?
BY CHARLES K. GoLDEY,

BY CHARLES K. GoLDEY.
In visiting The south of England, have
yO,; ever gone out of your way to enjoy
few hours i'll one Of the many delight
nj, thriving towns which are scattered
| like corn throughout that stinny land
| If not then it has not been your fortune
to view the sparkling landscape of Hazel
ton, a quaint, quiet village, with modest
little homes, whose white paint glistens
in the sunlight md whoso gardens
trimmed end otderly, exhibit blushing
roses and sweet-scented flowers peepinq
from midst dense masses of green foliage.
Some twenty years back, there was
situated on the outskirts Of Honel.On, a
gloomy-looking mansion, smrounced by
a clUhlp of oaks and cedars which well
aigh hid the editice from view.
Bolton Hall had stood the storms ot
many centuries, but time seeined only to
teeren The gloom of its surroundings.
The house was square III form, with a
turreted wing attached to its eastern
wall. This wing exhibited great signs
Of decay, and its moldoring wolls and
prison-shaped windows enhanced the
general gloom surrounding the whole
place.
In this wing were the fortunes of the
Bolton race made; here were formulated
those thoughts whose execution had
raised Peter Bolton, gentleman, from
comparative poverty and insignifcance
to wealth and nighthood; and here was
the splendor of the same maintained by
a long line Of descendants, terminating,
at the time Of which we write, in Sir
Iames Bolton.
Sir James was a man who had just
turned his tiftieth year; of tall statue
and well-rounded form, with face
whose keeH black eyes could either
twinkle with humor or sparkle with the
darkest OF passions He had evidently
ived well in the past, and his close-6tinq
vest betohened p rtto appetite for the
delirRoleJ OF the table.
Sir James was q widower, his wife hay
ing died shortly after their marriage
leaving her blessing in the fJHn OF {
! newborn h"le 10 her youthful husband,
Twenty-four years had Transformed the
babe into q broad-shouldered young
man with blue eyes brimming over with
good nature, while mouth eud chin be
tokened the resolution OF the soldier
Arthuv Bolton had met Lucy Grey
while visiting village friend and Ell.
ioyed her society in many little picnics
and parties cotton up i'll the r2ighbor-
hood and had dec!aled his love and been
accepted, And now, the two young hearts
we're patiently waiting for the day that
would bind them together i'll unity and
love.
Itwns beautiful spring morning.
Criar winter had lifted her tleecy cover.
ing from off the fields and flowers, ant
nature was once moro re-assertlnS he
lovely sway, breathing sweet odor
through the sunny atmosphere.
Arthur Bolton Has strolling through
the gardens, idly putting clouds of smoke
into the air, and giving himself up to th'
sweet reflections which love might be9e
in such rosy bowers.
A rapid step sounded behind him, and
turning. he beheld his father.
Good morning, Arthur said 81,
James, in a CHEEKY tone. 81 am glad
have found YOU
"Why, my dear father replied Ar
thur, with merry twinkle i'll his eyes
edo you see your wild son SO seldom
that the parternal heart is warmed a
behoIdlng him enjoying cigar amid tii'
sweet perfumes of your garden?'
"Ha! haw laughed Sir James; and To-
few moments both gentlemen INDUCED
in considerable merriment.
Sir James mirth finally ceased, and
look of deep seriousness settled over nj
countenance. Arthur turned around
and thoughtfully studied the Old houS
which he had never called home.
"Fatber, ," he exclaimed, wheeling bacl
to his former position, "why do you no
have that old, broken-down tower tori
away. and erect modern wing IN 1t
place? have often thought that it cas-
a gloom over our home, and this morn
ing it seems really forbidding. - .,
Sir James raised his black eyes swift,
to the face of his son, and darted keen
suspicious glance ut him. Seemingly
satisfied with his inspection, he replle'
in his usual tones
"No, Arthur, your father has too fe1
moments of seriousness to remove, a
this late hour, the only objects that chall
his thoughts to the past. But, Artlluf
nv object in meeting you here TINS morn
ing is of far too serious nature 10 wal
longer. To-day, Arthur Bolton"-an
his voice became low and earnest-"th
fate of your father and your home lies
your hands"
What" a-s \.
az am ruined, unless"
Good heavens, father, what do 20
mean?" exclaimed the young man VII
, startled ewes and excited tones. .,
"Unless, passionately continued >
. James, 'you save me
, "Thank God, if it lies in my power
! was the glad response. "But now Is
y to he done?'
"My plan is very simple. My cred
!. tors are beginning topush me to the wal
I can stave off the event for o montl
| md in the meantime you can hasten
n nv plantation in Cuba-my last resoHrc
n Straighten out its affairs, which ha'
! through my carelessness become We
:. much confused, and sell 1t Tor wIlat
a will bring. have no doubt but the su
J. realized will cover all my debts, az
e leave a handsome margin.
:. A look of glad resolution lightenf
t the face of Arthur as he replied:
;. az Will run over to the Meadows ar