The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-05-03
THE OLD GLACEY MANSION.
A Tale Of Mystery and Crime.

miles, there stood ON high plot OF
ground fully twenty-five feet above
the city's grade, fine, large, square
building, Ii had portico, very much
dccayed, on each side Of it. Cor
inthian pillars graccd the end that
fronted upon the street. On the sec
ond story was broad gallery, which
was easily reached by removing the
French windows that opened on a
chamber OF considerable width and
depth.
About half century ago this man
sion was the property Of wealthy
and refined northumberland Gla-
cey.
As a navigator, and subsequently as
a merchant, he had been fortunate. in
business, ultimately retiring the pos
SCISSOR OF half million of dollars.
While in command of noble ship,
of which he was the half owner, inc
visited many ports, and wherever
there were paintings, or other master
pieces of mans achievement, he was
sure to visit them. He delighted in
art The beautiful was as necessary
to him as food to the possession of any
work of genius, embodied in stone,
ivory, silver or gold, or put on canvas,
he would carefully prepare it for the
voyage homeward.
In this way, in the course of years,
he had gathered splendid gallery OF
paintings, and his soul ptures and OBJ
jects of Uertu were scource of pleas
ure to many besides himself
God had also blessed him in his
family relations. His house was the
home OF youth and innocence. He
INDUCED his children; they loved him
with all their hearts.
The stately mansion was house OF
peace, comfort, wealth.
To it were drawn many guests.
Music echoed through its corridors.
1t was the centre of all that could
make the heart glad.
Yesterday it was ruin, set upon a
hill.
1t was void and dark, damp and
dreary.
1t had a smell OF the grave in it,
vacant decaying rooms.
1t was without light, heat, comfort
In word, it was voiceloss, empty
dead.
Why this change?
The history that revcalsit downfall
is sad. 1t eliminates in a tragedy.
The family of Mr.. Glacey consisted
of two lovely and highly accomplished
daughters--Alva and Daco-and ;
son, tho eldest born, who bore his faith
er's name.
When the youngest Of these tire
had entered her sixteenth year, Their
came to reside in the mansion-and t.
become q member of the family
youth of Edward Glacey's age. H
was tall, well-formed, handsome. H
was suave In manners-rather over
polite There was a something IRE
prossible in his mental characteristic
that was experienced by those VIII
were introduced to him. But thi
feeling soon passed away, and if ther
was complaint as to his manner, it wa
that he was too fastidious, unneccsss
rlly courteous.
The young gentleman's name wa
George Dayville. He was recognize
as the cousin of the young people, an
he addressed Mr.. and Mrs. Glacey b
the titles, uncle and aunt.
He was the son of Mrs. Glacey
only brother.
With his cousin, Edward, he attent
ed college for the usual term of year
and graduated with high honors.
George Dayville was poor.
1t chafed his naughty spirit to |
made dependent on his uncle's gene
osity-his father was dead--for tn
money he expended.
He had another source OF reyenu
of which, however, his friends wei
ignorant 1t was an uncertain on
however, and ultimately, when Il
passion grew strongly in him for it,
became source of almost constal
expenditure.
George Dayville had become co
frmed gambler,
At first his uncle, who was indu
gent to degree, met all his demand
In time, however, these became
exacting, so large--exceeding the 7
quircments of his daughters and SC
by one-half-that he paused, al
requested his nephew-his by MARI
age only-to give q reason for ii
almost daily gifts Of money he askt
of him.
The yyung man hositated, return'
an evasiye reply,and on retiring fro
his relatives presence, his face gre
dark, his brows contracted, his Ii
quivcred, and hands clenched, as
muttered:
at is this to be poorw
No further request was made upt
Mr.. Glacey; his nephew continued
visit the gambling saloons.
For few weeks he was aga
fortunate, and he was proluse in II
display ofhis winnings. Then ill-fC
tune again came upon him, and
was stripped in few nights of all
had, and with it went magnifice
sdiataire diamond hreastpin which |
aunt had presented him rs a gift up,
attaining his majority, and beil
admitted to the bar rs a plesder.
His profession he had wholly nc
lected
He was for time assiduous in !
attentions to his eldest female cousi
Alva Glacey, but the fair girl had
fancy for him. Her heart was in {
possession of another