Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-09-19
THE SOMERSCOUlT SPECTRE.


Miss Annersleigh of Somerscourt,
Sussex, was rich, benevolent and Croft
chiefly, and the sole surviving represen-
tatiye Of an ancient line of more or less
remarkable "characters." Among the
more pronounced of her eccentricities
were an infatuation for patronizing now
and out OF the way charitable schemes
and projects, ard the demonstration Of
E keen interest in the welfare Of the Rev.
Amos Hartley, the curate of the parish.
1t was q moot point as to which peculi
arity was the most marked, and certain
ly, while the one laid her open to num-
berless and perpetual impostures, the
other excited in local circles an amount
Of talk" and tea table scandal that her
age and charity scarcely availed to
avert,
The gossippers declared their utter in
ability to discover the bond of sympathy
apparently existing between the curate
and his patroness. He was, as they
rightly observed, about the most com
monplace curate of forty-fve that ever
pressed through q sermon, and but for a
certain spirituelle cleanliness OCCASION
ally apparent in his plain face, he would
have been an exceedingly uninteresting
person.
But despite these Obvious drawbacks
Mr.. Hartley had succeeded in securing
the friendship of Somcrscourt, and was
apparently firmly established alike in
her good graces and her household. His
position there was somewhat anoma-
ious. He acted as Miss Annersleigh's
amanuensis IT, all matters pertaining to
the lavish distribution ef her charity,
and ii report spoke truly, was her con-
identlal adviser in mundane and spir-
itual matters alike.
In spite of occasional outbursts Of
scandal Mr. Hartley ntinued to enjoy
the sweets Of his office; Judging by
frequent remarks Of regard and conf
dence conferred upon him Nv his
patroness, the mutual understanding
and sympathy increased with time The
curate spent the greater portion OF his
days at Somerscourt, where suite OF
apartments was always at his disposal.
For upward Of five Years had this state
Of things continued, when, to the con.
sternation of the parish, and to the
inestimable grief OF Miss Annersleigh,
Mr. Hartley was suddenly attacked by
81 severe illness, TO which he succumbed
within week, breathing his last in the
room he was won't to occupy in the
house Of his friend.
The demonstrations of grief INDUCED
in by Miss Annersleigh, gave rise to
further, though somewhat qualified,
talk, until the sorrow Of the old lady
began to manifest in the shape of a
handsome I'm memoriam" donations
to local institutions. Then the tongues
of the "talkers" ceased to wag and the
critics were prepared to see in the
friendship Of the old lady for the de-
ceased curate proof Of her characterize
TIC goodness OF heart
Nearly year had elapsed since the
death Of Mr.. Hartley, when one cheer
less October afternoon card was
brought in to Miss Annersleigh, who
was finding surcease of,sorrow in audit
ing the local blanket fund accounts.
The visitor proved to be the bearer of a
letter of introduction to the mistress of
Somerscourt. He was a we'll dressed
man of thirty five or thereabouts, and
decidedly gentlemanlike, though an ex-
perienced eye might have detected
some of those indescribable outward
and visible signs that are i,ldellbly i'm
pressed upon the countenance of the
man who has been much occupied in
living by his wits The letter was ap-
parently in the handwriting, and bore
the signature of an ecclesiastical digni-
tary attached to the diocese, who had
had twice honored Miss AnnersIeigh by
dining with her on the occasion Of his
preaching q sermon on behalf Of one Of
her pet charities He introduced the
bearer, Mr.. Edmund Barstead, as the
pious protector of a scheme for training
the daughters of the INDECENT to quail
fy as wives to missionaries Of the NADIA
gascar Eucharistic society. The letter
concluded with forid compliment to
the religious zeal Of the old lady and
to the earnestness and ability Of Mr..
Barstead, whom the writer warmly
commended to her friendship and hos
pitality. '~.. .-., ,..
She read the letter through twice
very deliberately and then proceeded to
elicit information as to the aims, OBJ
jects and past achievements of Mr.. Bar.
stead, all of which he seemed very able
to provide; in fact he proved himself an
exceedingly well-informed and enter
tanning man. He recounted nodestly
and inferentially sundry romantic and
startling adventures incurred by him in
the prosecution of his good work in be-
nighted Madagascar. and he seemed so
pious and enthusiastic, and possessed so
extensive All acquaintance with people
and places sacred to Miss Annersleigh
by their association with all that was
good and interesting, THAI she began to
feel a deep liking and admiration for
this intrepid, good looking missionary
propagandist. When he recognized
with joyful surprise . little pamphlet
written by herself on The Missionary
Duties and privileges Of Married
Wonnen" the bond Of sympathy was
complete. He was the first person who
owned to having read her little book
without being pressed SO to do BY the au-
thoress, and she felt grateful to him and