The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-07-18
CHAPTER 1.
THE NOCTURNAL VISIT.

Hurricane Hall is large old family man
sior, Ouiit of dark, red sandstone, in one of
he ioneli' st and widest of the mountain re-
eions of Virginia
The estste is surrounded on three sides by
- Targe of steep, gray rocks, spiked with
clum ps of dark evergreens, and called, from
It's b Isesboe form, the Devils Hoof.
On the fourth side the ground gradually
de- cends in broken rock and barren soil to
the edge OF the wild mountain stream known
as II e DEVILS Run.
When storms and floods were high, the
loud roaring Of the wind through the wild
mountain gorges, and the terrific raging OF
the torrent over It's rocky course, gave to this
savage locality its iIl-omened names of
Devils HOof, DEVILS Run, and Hurricane
Hall.
Major Ira Warfield, the lonely proprietor
of the Hall was a veteran officer, who in
disgust at what he supposed to be ill-requited
services, had retired from public life to
spend the evening OF his vigorous age on
this lis patrimonial estate. Here he lived
in seclusion, with his old-fsshioned house
keeper Mrs. Condiment, and his old family
servants, and his f4V0rite dogs aud horses.
In person Major War6eld was tall and
strongly built, ike some iron-limbed Doug
las OF the olden time.
In character Msjor VARIED was arrogant
domineeIirR, and violent; ,quslly loved and
feared BY bis faithful old family servants at
home; disI'ked and drerds+ by his neigh bors
and &C Iuaintancss afro vhc, partly from
bis Louise, and partly lIvm lis character,
fixed upon him the appropriate name OF Old
Thsre gss, however, other ground of aver
sion eside that Of his arrogant mind, violent
temp and domi Geering habits Old Hurri-
cane was said 20 lie old bachelor, yet
rumor whispered that there was In some
obscure pant OF tie world, hidden away
fIom human sight deserted wife
and child. poor. fOrlorn, and heart
broken. 1t was further whispered that
the Older brother of Ira Warfield had
nv seriously disappeared. and not without
some suspicion of foul play on the part Of the
only person in the world who had strong
intties in his taking off" However these
things might be, IL was known for a certainty
that Old Hurricane had an only sister,
widowed, sick and moor, who with her son.
dragged on s wretched life of ill-requIted toll,
severe prvsiIOn, aHd painful infirmity, in
distsni city, unaided, unsought and uncared
for by her cruel brother.
ltvss the night of the last day OF October,
eighteen hurdred and forty-fge. The even
ing hsd closed in dark and gloomy. About
dusk The wind arose in the northwest. driv-
ing up masses OF lesden-hued clouds, and in
few minutes the ground was cover I'd deep
with snow, and the air was filled with driv-
ing sleet,
As this was All HallOw Eve, the dreadful
inclemency of the weather did not prevent
the negroes of Hurricane Hall from avaling
themselves OF their capricious old masters
permission, and going off in body to a
paDjo breakdown held in the quarters of
their next neighbor.
Upon this evening, then, there was left at
the hall only Major Warfield, Mrs Condi.
mint, his little old housekeeper, and Wool,
hi body servant.
Early in the evening the old house was
shut up closely 10 keep out as much as posi-
bic the sound of the storm that roared
through the mountain chasms and cannon
AIDED the walls as If determined to forcs en-
enuace. AS soon as she had seen that all
was safe, Mrs. COndiment went to bed and to
sleep.
1t was about 10 o'clock that night that Old
Hurricane wrapped up in his quilted Samuel
dressing gown, sat in his padded armchair
before a warm and bright fire, taking his ease
in bis own bedroom. This was the hour of
the contest enjoyment to the self-indulgent
Sy barIte- And, indeed, every means and ap-
pliance of bodily comfort was at hand
Strong oaken shutters, and thick, heavy cur
tains at the windows, kept out every draft of
air, and so deadened the sound of the wind
that its subdued moaning was Just sufficient
TO remind one OF the stormy weather without
in contrast to the bright warmth within. Old
Hurricane. as l said. sat well wrapped up in
his wadded dressiDg-goTn, reclining in his
padded eesy-chair. with his head thrown
back and his feet upon the fre-irons, toast
ing his shins and slipping his punch
On his left hand stood his coy beds.eal,
with its warm crimson cur tains festooned
back, revealing the luxurious swell of the
full feather bed, ard pillows with their snow
white linen and lambswool blankets inviting
repose. Between this bedstesd and the cor
ner of the firtplice stood Old Hurricanes
ancient bOdy-servant Wool engaged in
warming GRIM o cloth night cap.
Il take this" said Old Hurricane, as he
slipped his punch and smacked his lips-"I
take this to be the very quIntessence OF hu-
man eDJoyment-sittIDg here in my soft
warm Cha ir before the fire, ioasting my legs,
sippir my purch listening on the one hand
to the storm without. and glanciDg on the
other hsnd at my comfortable oed waiting
there TO receive my sleepy head.
II wonder now If there is anything on the
face OF the earth that would tempt me to
leave my cosy fiIeside and 60 abroad to-
night? | wonder how large a promise OF
pleasure or profit or glory 1t would take
now2"
Much ss ebber Congress itse'f could give
If ii give ysu penance for all your sarVins, y
suggested Wool
Yes and more for / wouldn't leave nv
home comforts tonight to insure not onl y
the pension but the thanks of Congress. -
xaid the old man, replenishing his glass with
steaming punch, and drinking it off leis-
uIely.
The clock struck eleven. The old man
ukdlu LIS kldoSs anu, Wnilc slipping us
contents. said:
You msy fill the warming pan and warm
my bed, Wool The fumes of this fragrant
punch are beginning to rise to my head and
make me sleepy"
The servant filled the warming-psn with
glowing embers, shut down the lid, and
thrust it between the sheets to heat the
couch of the luxurious Old HurricaLe. The
old man continued 10 toast his feet, sip his
punch and smack his lips. He finished his
glass set il down, and was Just in the act OF
drawing on his wooden nieht-cap preparatory
10 stepping into his vellwarmed bed, when
be was suddenly startled by loud ringing oil
the hsli-door bell.
What the foul fend can that mean at this
time CT Dight?' exclaimed Old Hurricane
dropping his night-cap. and turning sharply
around toward Wool. who. warming-pan in
hand, stood staring with establishment
What does that mean, ssk'youY
Deed. 1 dunno, sar. less it's some be