The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-17
CHAPTER l.
THE NOCTURNAL VISIT.

hear knocking
In the south entry! Hark!-more knocking!
Shakespeare.
Hurricane Hall is a large old family man.
sion built of dark, red sandstone, in one of
the loneiest and widest of the mountain re-
gions of Virginia.
The estate is surrounded on three sides by
q 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 were high the
loud roaring of the wind through the wild
mountain gorges, and the terrific raging of
the torrent over its rocky course, gave to
this savage locality its ill-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 dis
gust at what he supposed to be ill-requited
services had retired from public life to
spend the evening of his vigorous age on
this, his patrimonial estate. Here he lived
In seclusion, with his old fashioned
bousekeeper Mrs. Condiment, and his old
family servants and his favorite dogs and
horses.
In person Major Warfeld was tall and
strongly built, like some iron-limbed Douglas
of the olden time.
In character Major Warfied was arrogant,
domineering and violent; equally loved and
feared by his faithful old family servants at
home; disliked and dreaded by his neighbors
and acquaintance abroad, who, partly from
his house and partly from his character fixed
upon him the Appropriate nickname of OLD
HURRICANE
There was, however, other ground of aver
sion besides that of his arrogant mind, violent
temper and domineering habits. Old Hurri-
cane said to be an old bachelor yet ru-
NOR whispered that there was in some obscure
part OF the world, hidden away from human
sight, deserted wife and child, poor, fOrlOrn
and heart broken. 1t was further whispered
that the older brother of Ira Warfeld had
mysteriously disappeared, and not without
some suspicion of foul play on the part OF
the only person in the world who had a
strong interest in his taking off" How
ever these things might be, it was known for
a certainty that Old Hurricane had an only
sis widowed, sick and poor, who, with
b N, dragged on wretched life of ill
.nted toll, severe privation, and painful
t.Ifrmity, in a distant city, unaided, IN
sought and uncared for by her cruel brother.
1t was the night of the last day of October,
eighteen hundred and forty-fve. The even
ing had closed in dark and gloomy About
dusk the wind arose in the north west, driv-
ing up masses OF leaden-hued clouds, and in
few minutes the ground was covered 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 awaiting
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, then, there was left at
the hall only Major Warfeld Mrs. Condi-
'nent his little old housekeeper and Wool
lis body
Early in the evening the old house was
shut up closely to keep out as much as posi-
BILE the sound of the storm that roared through
the mountain chasms, and connonaded 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
1t was about 10 o'clock that night that Old
Hurricane, wrapped up in his quilted flannel
dressing-gown sat in his padded armchair
before warm and bright fire, taking his ease
in his own bedroom. This was the hour of
the contest enjoyment to the self-induIgent
Sybarite. And. indeed, every means and APP
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
f II its subdued moaning was just sufficient
-emind one Of the stormy weather
.tout in contrast to the bright warmth
within. Old Hurricane, as l said, sat well
wrapped up in his wadded dressing-gown, re-
Ginning in his padded easy-chair, with his
head thrown back and his feet upon the
tire-rons, toasting his shns and slipping his
punch.
On his left hand stood his coy bedstead,
with its warm crimson curtains festooned
back, revealing the luxurious swell of the
full feather bed and pillows with their snow
white linen and lambswool blankets inviting
repose. Between this bedstead and the
corner of the fire place stood Old Hurricanes
ancient body servant Wool, engaged in
warming crimson cloth night-cap.
81 take this" said Old Hurricane, as he
slipped his punch and smacked his lips-"I
take this TO be the very quintessence of
human enjoyment-sitting here in my soft,
warm chair before the fire, toasting my legs
slipping my punch, listening on the one
hand to the storm without, and glancing on
Che other hand at my comfortable bed wait
ing there to receive my sleepy head.
81 wonder now if there is anything on
the face of the earth that would tempt me
to leave my coy freside and go abroad to-
night | wonder how large a promise of
pleasure or profit or glory it would take
now?'
much as ebber Congress itse'f could give
If 1T give you penance for all your sarvins,"
suggested Wool
"fes, and more for wouldn't leave my
home comforts tonight to insure not only
the pension but the thanks of Congress-
said The old man, replenishing his glass with
steaming punch, and drinking it off leisure
1y.
The clock struck eleven. The old man
ngain filled his glass, and, while slipping its
contents said:
"You may 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"
glowing embers, shut down the lid, thrust it
between the sheets, to heat the couch Of the
luxurious Old Hurricane. The old man con-
';nued to toast his feet SIP his punch, and
smack his lips. He finished his glass. set it
down, and was just in the act of drawing on
ms wooden nght-cap preparatory to stepping
into his well-warmed bed, when he was sud
denly startled by loud RINGING OF the hall