Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1888-04-06

called on in turn 20 contribute to
the public entertainment, and story
after story, always relating To- dem.
ology and witchcfsft, succeeded IL
was Chfis'nas, the season Tor such
tales, and the old room, with its
du,ky walls aud pictures. and vault.
eel root, drinking up the light 80
gIecdily, seemed just fitted TO give
effect 10 such Legendary lore. Tho
huge logs cracklcd and burned with
| glowing warmth; the blood red
glare Of the lulc log flashed on the
faces OF the listeners and nara,or.
on the portraits, and the holly
wroalhcd about their ffamea. antl
the upright old dame. in her anti.
qunicd dress aud tfinkeis, like one
OF tho originals of the pictuses
stepped from the canvass 10 ioiu
our circle. II threw n shimmering
lustfc OF an ominously ruddy hue
upon the oakcn panels No won.
DIR that the ghost and goblin stor,es
had ncw zcst. No wonder that
tho blood OF the more ,im.d grew
chill and cutdlcd. that their fcsh
crcpi, and their hearts beat irrcyn.
larly, aud the girls pccpcd fcaffulIy
over their shoulders. aud huddled
close together like frightened sheep.
and hai-fancicd they behcld SONS
impish and malignant face pibber.
ing at them from the darkiinv cor.
ners Of the old room. BY degrees my
high spirits died out, aud felt the
childish trcmors. long latent, long
icrgoticn. coming over me. 1 fol.
lowed each story with painful inter.
est, did notask my.elf ~ believed
the the dismal tales. listened.
and Tear grew upon mc--the blind.
Irrational fear Of our nursery DAYS.
/ am sure most Of the other ladies
/ present, young or middle aged.
were affected by the circumstnnces
under which these traditions were
heard, no less than by tho wild end
fantastic character Of them. but
with them the impression would
die out next morning, when the
bright Sun should shine on the
frosted boughs, and the rimc on the
grass, and the scarlet berries and
green spikclets OF the holly: and
! with me--bui, ahl what wae ia
happen ere apothc- day dawn,
/ Before we had made an cnd Of thi.
talk my father and the other .quirex
came IN, aud We ceased our ghost
stories, ashamed to speak Of such
matters before these new comers---
hard headed, unimaginaliye men.
who had no sympathy with idle
legends. There was now stir and
I hustle
Servants were handing round tea
and coffee, and other reireshments.
Then there was a little music and
I singing. | sang n duet with Re1i.
maid, who had a Gue voice and good
musical skill. ! remember tsiaf my
I singing was much praised, and In.
deed ] was surprised az the power
and paihos OF my own voice, doubt
less due % my excited nerves and
mind. Then heard some one say
10 another that was by far The
cleyercst Of the Squire's dauQhters.
as well as the PTetiicsf. II did not
make nie vain. / had no rivalry
with Lucy and Minnie. But Reef.
nald whispered some soft fond
words ~ my ear, little before he
mounted his horse 20 sct of home.
ward, which did make me happy
and proud. And 10 think that The
next time We mei--but I forgave
him long ago. Poor Reginald,
And now shs wls and eioaks were
IN request, and carriages rolled up
70 the porch, and the guests grad.
uaiiy departed Al last no one was
leii but those visitors staying ir the
house. Then my father. who had
been called ont 70 speak with tie
bailih II The estate, came beck svi.n
look of annoyance on his face.
y strange story ! have iusf been
told. taij he. "hcre has been nv
baillf 20 inform me 81 the loss 81
The choicest ewes ont % that little
Hock q Souihdoens set such
store by. and which arrived IN
the north buttwo montbs since. And
ibe pcoF creatures aase beea de-
stSoyed ru - strange : manner. fos
Their carcasses are horribly man.
gied."
Most of us Uttered foue expires.
SION of pits or surprise. and come
segs scsied that q VICIOUS 8Cg wss
I probably ihe culpfis
80 wou.d srem So. ...1 a.
father -if certainly seems TIE work
81 q Dec ard set aii ihe men agree
ihai no Jog of such habts exists
near ut. where. iudecd. dogs are
scarce. excepting the shepherds
co.l.cs and ihe spoFi'ug DOGS secuted
in yards Iet fhe sheep ere Rnawsd
and bitten. foT They show ihe marks
of teeth. meihinE has done ihis.
and has torn ihcis bodies woisshiv.
bui apparently it hss been only 10
suck ihe blood f0F liilc or no Ecsh
j. gone
(ro BE coSriSuEn.l