The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-05-27
GHE SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY
TUESDAY, MAY ~. 1884.
THE OLD HAIR TRUNK.
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.

The story I am about to narrate was
told me bv Ms. s., an excellent as
well as charming woman She believes
every word of it. am sure, and shall
make no comment on its probability
These are her own words:
"Y0n have seen one of those old hair
trunks, with the owners initials m brass
nails on the cover. which our ancestors
used to carry about with them when they
went upon q ournev," she begar. "One
of them was left me nv Mrs. Fsyette, q
far-away cousin of nv grandmother,
together with a quantity of other old
possessions, most OF them merely yaln-
able from antiquity aud association
at was Of an enormous size, and the
men Who were employed to carry il np
stairs would not move it until it was
empiied.
L possess a garret, as yon know. az
in that blessing to housekeepers un-
known to the inhabitants OF great cities
stored nv legacy. One or two old
cloaks and silk comfortable we're re-
p sced in its depths, the rest were loaned
to the young people who we're about to
get up private theatricals in aid of the
church, and carried off with great gIee.
I had not seen the original possessor
since nv own childhood. Then she was
an old woman past eighty, and with her
yellow ivory complexion, white puffs,
high nose, and antique gowns, was hike
figure just stepped from an ancient
family portrait.
'She was merely a memory 10 me !;
and though the fact that she recalled the
little girl who used TO eat her seed-cake.
and admire her old china, was proven by
her legacy, made no pretence of griev.
ing for death which simply recalled the
fact that such person had lived to me
felt little softeBed, that was all, and
wished had taken the trouhe Of visit
ing ber IN her last days, or had sent for
her to visit me.
II make these remarks because it was
only a few days after the arrival of the
big hair truak At our home that / went
with nv husband 10 ball 1t was a
fine affair. | hsd had "a special dress
made, AMI though my baby was only six
months old, [ had no fear OF leaving her
with nurse, a respectable woman OF bfty,
who hsd been in my mothers service
Ella was then just seven and Arthur
three, and both we're good, obeiient lit
tie creatures 1t is ten years ago. and
Ella will be married in spring. How
time flies.
"Well, was going to the bali. NV
trunk had been sent to - Hotel, and
we were to stay there all night, and come
home in the moruing. was very much
pleased, for who does not like 10 play
girl again after ten years or so Of mar
ried liie-to 60 of with ones husband
and forget housekeeping for awhile3
~ lett the house in good spirits, and
after dinner AMI little lounge. began
to get ready. The hair-dreeser did my
hair. NV toilet became me. Ny hus-
baud surprised me with beautiful set
Of pearls, and l was never in merrier
mood.
81 used to ba good dancer; in fact.
am still, only when ones girls grow up
one drops dancing, and had plenty of
partners.
81 enjoyed the supper, and when it
was over, ] went into the dressing room
to see that my hair was oil right and take
q general view of my costume.
"Most Of the ladies were crowding
about the glasses. but one 10 the corner
was not in use approached it, and as
I did so lady stepped up and looked
over nv shoulder. As saw that it was
an old lady ! was about to step politely
aside, when suddenly, With q strange
chill commencing at my neck and run
ming thence shrongh all my body, cold
as ice, yet tingling, il you can under
stand me, ! recognized the face and
form, so long unseen by me, Of oil Mrs.
Fayette. Her hands we're on my shoul
ders, and she looked straight into my
face as she uttered these words:
"'Don't lose time sta-iDg at yourself
here Go home AMI open my old hair
trunk
"Tben she was gone I staggered
back and sank upon a sofa. My hu .
band, waiting at the door for me, saw
me, and hurried In.
"'What 10 the matter, my dear ? be
asked
Il told him, and added, as we'll as
could speak for the chatteiIog OF nay
.ee.h:
81 must go home q. once
"He wss terrified for nv sanity,
think. but he expostulated. I might 60
to the hotel, and send for doctor; but
90 home on an early morning train in ball
costume ! could not, be declared.
"For The only time IN alI my life l de.
fed him and refused to obey. got my
wraps, put them on, and went down to
where the carriage was waiting.
"To depot I commanded.
"He let me have my way, only asking
"'W hat do you fear2
"'I don't know said. i have had
a supernatural warning Of some sort. ]
uust-I must look into tbs old hair
trunk
"And then I fell into mysteries.
IA fine time poor Henrv had getting
me home, and when we aligbted at the
depot, in gray dawn, snd in the midst
| Of the milk-cans and market men, it was
we'll that We had not far TO 60 to reach
home.
-"But as we opened o'r own gate We
saw plainly that something was wrong
| Lights stilF burnt. men were on the porch
Nurse stood in the hall wringing hel
hands.
"sWhat lie the matter P ! shrieked.
"'We can't find Miss Ella, rpa'am
she answered She's gone
"'She wen, TO hide herself, mamma.
sobbed poor lfttle Arthur, 'and tam
find her nowhere
"'In her little night-dress, and with
bare feet, moaned the nurse.
"Then ] knew what my vision meant
The hair trunk! the hair truukr
Ectied, and pushed upstairs to the garret
"Some ore followed me with light
i ran to the trunk and threw back the