Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1889-04-16

which leads OH the draWlng-room, are
rare exotics blooming without the
tending touch of the vanished hand"
of the lady OF the manor. In the
bedrooms the beds are all made with
scrupulous care, and the pretty little
ornaments disposed in order, notwith-
standing the couch has not been slept
in for two years. 1t may be noticed
how scrupulously clean is the furnish.
ing, how fresh and fne the air; and
that through the opened but shaded
windows a light breath, laden with
spicery and perfume from the flowers
without, plays with the leaves of
a bouquet which the old guardi n
places at the head of "my lady's"
empty bed every morning, and waves
the edgings of the rich lace that
covers the couch. 1t seems like pro-
fanation to intrude on such scene.
One has a feeling of hesitation. in
fact. on entering any of the rooms
without being hidden by the host or
hostess whom you may meet at any
moment, as it seems. The house has
an air of occupation, so carefully are
its contents guarded, and the invol-
untary inference is that its tenants
have gone out for short stroll in the
grounds.
FROM THE OLD COUNTRY.
"English" is Enthusiastically stamped
on nearly every article that meets the
eye. The beadsteads are made of
polished brass, the tables are inlaid
and solid; the fre-places have the old
fashioned brass and irons. and are
faced with pictured tiles, such as DR..
Doddridge, when a child, instructed
by his mother, studied for the story
of Joseph and His Brethern-only in
his case they were Dutch tiles. The
English borrowed the fashion from
the Hollander. In every fireplace,
too, of this deserted mansion, can be
found yule-log, in some cases partly
consumed, resting on the andirons,
and in the little hooks and crannies
of the carved work surrounding the
tiles, quaint ornaments and curios
gathered from foreign parts. In the
principal rooms the mantels are of
onyx that must have cost small for
tune.
But the large hall in the center Of
the building with the grand staircase
leading therefrom to the upper cham
bers is the glory of the situation
You may imagine the master of this
mansion, sitting beside the great fire.
place in the Christmas time, while
some of his favorite dogs-for he
loved dogs-blnked in the blaze, and
guests told stories and passed the
loving-cup.
Twas merry in the hall when boards wagged all
To get lost in these reflections and
then suddenly arouse to the utter
lonesomeness of the present as com
pared with the imagined past is like
/ taking cold douche. You SILVER at
such commentary on the uncertain
ty of life.
IN THE DINING ROOM,
Which is thoroughly English in al
its equipment, you may find photos Of
the absent owner and bis dead wife
and two children on the buffet. The
portrait of the lady is that of an arts
tocratic looking English woman
broad, low forehead, large, melting
,, eyes, aquiline nose, small mouth
J with a short upper lip. She mus
have been in her girlish days worthy
of place in the 'Book of Beauty
> Her husbands picture is that of ;
| pleasant-faced, good-looking man
with an expression of acuteness ane
3 worldly wisdom. The children's face
a are of the true Anglo-Saxon type
g On the walls are the portrait of TIT
> father of the absent man and SOM
!, landscapes by his daughter-in law
In these portraits lie, mayhap, tn
J. story of lives that is still mystery t
; a great many, and which, perhaps
u the law may solve In connection wit
: this deserted mansion at no distan
day-the memorable law that sweep
away all sentiment and romance a
e the housemaid does the cobwebs sh
e finds in odd corners. Already il
enginery is being put in motion, an
the sensitive fingers of the telegrap
IS are feeling the civilized world for tn
IS missing man.
: THE mysterious owner of the mar
= sion is Morton G. Fisher, gentlema
n we'll known on Wood River, as /
l. spent the summer of '82 in Halle
a and vainly endeavored to secure
~ bond, as a preliminary step to II
70 purchase of the Idahoan and oth'
J. mines. Mr.. Fisher is well-known
mining circles, as he is believed
have sold the Richmond and 9TH
lie mines of Eureka, New, and the Tv