Daily globe., 1883-07-17
CHAPTER [.
TIE NOCTURNAL VISIT .

Hurricane Hall is a large old family
mansion, built of dark, red sandstone, ia
one Of the loneliest and widest of the
mountain regions of Virginia
The estate is surrounded on three sides
by g range of steep, gray rocks, spiked
with clumps of dark evergreens, and called
from Its horseshoe form, the DEVILS Hoof.
On the fourth side the ground gradually
descends IN broken rock and barren soil to
the edge of the wild mountain stream
known as the DEVILS Run.
When storms and floods we're high, tbs
load roaring of the wind through the wild
mountain goTges, and the terrific raging of
the torrent over its rocky course, gave to
this savage locality its ill-omeRed names OF
Devils Aoof, Devils Run and Rurric ane
Hail.
Major Ira Warfeld, the lonely proprietor
OF the hall, was a veteran officer who, in
disgust at what he supposed to be Ill ro-
Quilted services, had retired from public
lIfe to spend the evening of his days on this
has patrlmonial estate. Here he lived in
seclusion, with his Old-fashioned house
keeper, Nrs. Condiment, and his old ia II
iIY servants, and his faYorite dogs and
horses.
In person Major Warfeld was tall and
strongly built, like sone iron-linbed
Bouglas Of the olden time.
In character Major Warfeld was AFRO
giant, domineering, and violent: equally
loved and feared by his faithful Old family
servants at home; disliked and dreaded by
h4s neighb ors and acquaintances abroad,
who, partly from MS house, and partly
frem his character, fixed upon him the
appropriate nickname OF OLD HURRI-
CANE.
There was, however, other grounds of
aversion besides that OF his arrogant mind,
violent temper and domineering habits.
O3d Hurricane was said to be an old bach
eior. vet rumor whispered that there was
IN some obscure part Of the world, hidden
away from human sight, deserted wife
and child, poor, forlorn, and heart-bro-
ken. It was further whispered that the
older brother of Ira Wartield had myster
iously disappeared, and not without some
suspicion Of foul play Oh the part of the
only person in the world who had strong
interest III his taking Off" However
these things might be, 1t was known to
certainty that Old Hurricane had an only
sister, widowed, sick and poor, who, with
her son, dragged on a wretched life of i'll
requited toll. severe privation and painful
sought and uncared for by her cruel
brother.
1t was the night of the last day of Octo
tober, eighteen hundred and forty-fve.
The evening had closed in dark and
gloomy. About dusk the wind arose in
the northwest, driving up masses of leaden-
hued clouds, and in few minutes the
ground was covered deep with snow, and
the air was filled with driving sleet.
As this was All Hallow Eye, the dreadful
inclemency of the weather did not prevent
the negroes of Hurricane Hall from avail
ing themselves of their capricious old
masters permission, and going off in
body to a banjo breakdown held in the
quarters of their next neighbor.
Upon this evening, theE, there was left
at the hail only Major Warfeld, Mrs. Con
diment, his little old housekeeper, and
Wool, his body-servant.
Early in the evening the old house was
shut up closely to keep out as much as pos
sible the sound of the storm that roared
through the mountain chasms, and cannon
AIDED the walls as if determined to force an
entrance. As soon as she had seen that all
was safe, Mrs Condiment went to bed
and to sleep.
It was about ten O'Clock that night that
Old Hurricane, wrapped up in his quilted
flannel dressing gown, sat IN his padded
arm chair before warm and bright fire
taking his ease in his own bedroom. This
was the hour of the coZiest enjoyment tc
the self-indulgent Sybarite. And, indeed
every means and appliance of bodily com
fort was at hand. Strong oaken shutters
and thick, heavy curtains at the windows
kept out every draft of air, and SO dead
ened the sound of the wind that its subdueC
moaning was Just sufficient 10 remind on
of the stormy weather without in coutras
30 the bright warmth within. Old Rurri
cane. as | said. sat well wrapped up in hi
wadded dressing gown, reclining IN hi
padded easy hair, with his head thro VI
back, and his feet upon the fre-ironS
toasting his shiAs and slipping his punch
ON mis- left hand stood his crazy bed
stead, with its warm crimson curtains fes
tOoned back, revealing this luxurious swe
OF the full feather bed, and pillows wit
their suow-white linen and lambswoC
blankets inviting repose. Between thi
5edstea9 and the corner OF the freplac
stood Ola Hurricanes ancient 5ody-sory
ant, Wool. engaged IL warming crimso
c-O1h LiEht-caP.
II tale this" said Old Hurricane, as b
MS {lA-L-ll t-l-L c-iiGN<ASb Ai1S II
@T-..o c this to be the very quintessence
hu-au rjoymeut-sittiug here in NJ
so--. warm chair before the fire, toastin
ny le-z. slipping nay punch, listening c
The one hand to the storm wit
cu- ana glanciEg or the other hand
my comfortable bed waiting there to 7
caiva my sleepy head.
II wonder row if there IS anything {
the lace Of the earth that would tempt Il
TO leave my coy freside and {
abroad tonight: I wonder he
large promise of pleasure
profit or glory it would take now
sMuch as ebber congress itse'f cou
give if 1T give you a penance for all yo1
sarvins,' suggested Wool.
YES. and more! for 1 wouldn't lea
my home comforts tonight TO insure Il
only the pension but TIE thanks of CO
gress," said the old man, replenishing
glass with steaming punch, and driukil
il of Ieisurely.
The clock strack eleven. The old nj
again filled his glass, and, while slippi
its contents, said;
you may fill the warming pan g
warm my bed, Wool. The fumes of Il
cocx,o,,4 ,,uuob ora hariDpiro 70 rico