Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-11-20
MRS. BROWNS ROBBER.

It was in the fall OF 1880 that 1 first met
Mrs. Brown, and it was during that same
period that | spent the week, at once the
most ludicrous and the most terrible of my
life, owing to the inStrumentality of Mrs.
Browns tramp
When circumstances, arising chiefly from
my state Of health, compelled me to leave
my homo in the C2rolinas and journey south
ward, my forty years of spinsterhood per
nittsd me TO make that journey without the
encumbrance of a maid.
My intention had been to winter in st.
Augustine, but an accident to the train on
which / was travelling when half way be-
tween Jacksonville and Savannah, compelled
me to make a temporary halt at way sta
ton called Blackstone.
The village lay some two miles back from
the railroad, but not moro than a few hum
dred yards distant from the sleepy little
station stood quaint, two storied frame edi-
flee, circied by broad verandas, and set in the
midst of grove Of pines, which, in great
capitals. announces itself as
BROWNS HOTEL"
Ny previous experience Of country inns
had led me to expect everything but cleanli-
ness, anything hut comfort. Judge of my
surprise, therefore, when 1 found not only
cleanliness but degree of modest luxury
Carpets covered the floors, curtains draped
the windows, and bright fires burned on pol
ished hearths.
After an excellent dinner, plain but well
cooked, / was shown to comfortable apart
ment where a soft couch, draped in the snowi-
est Of linen, proved irresistibly alluring to
my weary limbs. l slept long and soundly,
lar
lady who had come to tell ME that at last it
was possible to continue my journey. A
train was ebout to leave for Jacksonville.
Fresh from such a natural sleep as | had
not enjoyed in many months, with a well
cooked dinner in the immediate background,
l came TO a sudden determination. l de-
clined to leave my comfortable refuge for
the dangers and discomforts of the railway.
I forfeited my ticket, babe farewell to my
fellow passengers and announced my inten-
ton of renieininE IN Blackstone until ] felt
thoroughly able TO resume my interrupted
journey.
For the first week of my stay saw no rea-
son to repent my determination. My land
lady, Mrs Brown, proved to be somewhat
of a character. She was totally without ed
ucation, unable even to read or write, and
vet possessed certain dignity of character
and department. 1t would have been bold
person, indeed, who would have ventured
upon liberty with her.
Her strong point was cleanliness, her weak
one benevolent credulity. A Munchausen
clothed in rags, pale and hungry, could have
invented no tale too improbable, no romance
too incredible for her Oelief. For romance,
indeed, she had strong secret prediction,
only restrained by vein of practical common
sense, TO which it was due that she committed
not more than half the follies into which
credulity and romance combined would have
betrayed her.
The latest Developments of her mania had
been, Us i soon discovered, the adoption of a
young woman who, for all any one IN Black
shire knew TO the contrary, might have
dropped from the clouds, so unheralded had
been her appearance some weeks previous.
Tue adopted one had at that period very
destitute, not TO say, dirty appearance, and
the immediate cause of her stay in Black
shire had been too pressing inquiry after
her ticket by the conductor of the train on
which she was journeying to Savannah. For
the rest she was about 70 years cid, possessed
of a rather coarse style of beauty, and too
demure manner.
Mr. Brown, Of whom it is needless to say in
description more than that he was always
known as Mrs. Browns husband, was a tray
cling dentist and wont to De absent from
home for weeks together
De started upon one of these prolonged
tours the day after my arrival After Mr..
Browns departure there were left il the
house, besides myself and Mrs. Brown. only
the adopted enc and two boarders, a widow
lady and her daughter. The masculine ele-
ment being solely represented by Daddy
Cato a very iRferior-say tirnid-old negro
who did not, moreover, sleep in the house
and could be therefore no protection, If pro
lection were needed.
1t was this auSpicious period that our be
nevoient hostess chose for new and startling
development OF her ruling passion.
AS Ill luck would have it q revival meeting
was held in our irnmediste vicinity, wuereal
a preacher of some eloquence. taking for hi:
theme Lots generous, uncalculatirG hoSpi
tality TO his unknown vlSitantS, besought hi
hearers to exercise q Ike yirtGe 10 TIE pool