Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-12
BY ANNA KATHARINE
Author of The Leavenworh Behnd Closed Doors eth
Forsaken Inn," Etc, Etc.
WRITTEN For THE DISPATCH


York State, when I came suddenly upon an
old stone house in which the marks of age
were in such startling contrast to its unfin-
ished condition that Iinvoluntarily stopped
my horse and took a long survey of the
lonesome structure Embowered in forest
which had so grown in thickness and height
since the erection of this building that the
boughs of some of the tallesl trees almost
met across its decayed roof, it presented
even at first view an appearance of pictur-
esque solitude almost approaching desola-
tion. But when my eye had time to note
that the moss was clinging to caves from
under which the scaffoIding had never been
taken, and that of the ten large windows in
the blackened front of the house only two
had ever been furnished with frames, the
awe of some tragic mystery began to creep
over ME, and l sat and wondered at the
sight till my increasing interest compelled
me to alight and take near er view of the
place.
The great front door which had been fin
iShed SO many years ago, but which had
never been hung, leaned against the side of
the house, of which it had almost become
part so long had they clung together amid
beside it vawned the entrance, q large black
gap through which nearly a century of
storms had rushed with their winds and wet
Till the hntels were green with moisture
and slippery with rot. Standing on this
uutrod threshold, intinctively glanced up
at the scaffolding above me, and started
as 1 noticed that it had partially fallen
away, as if time were weakening its sup
ports and making the precipitation: of the
whole a threatening possibilitE Alarmed
lest it might fall while 1 stood there, 1 did
not linger long beneath it, but, with shud-
der, which l afrerward remembered, stepped
into the house and proceeded to inspect its
rotting, naked and unfinished walls. l found
them all in the one condition. 4 fine house
had once been planned and nearly COM
pIeted, but it had been abandoned before
The hearths had been tiled or the wainscot-
ing nailed to its place. The staircase which
ran up through the center Of the house was
without banisters, but otherwise finished
and in a state of fair preservation. Seeing
this and not being able to resist the tempta-
tion which it offered me of inspecting the
rest of the house, L ascended to the second
story.
Here the doors were hung and the fire.
places bricked, and as l wandered from
room to room 1 wondered more than ever
what had caused the desertion of SO promis-
ing a dwelling. If, as appeared, the first
owner had died suddenly, why could not an
heir have been found, and what could be
the story of a place so abandoned and left
to destruction that its walls gave no token
of ever having offered shelte- to human
being? As l could not answer this ques-
tion I-allowed my imagination full play.
and was Just forming some weird explana-
ton of the facts before me when L felt
LII,
and paused aghast. Was l then
not alone in the deserted building9 Was
there some solitary being who laid claim to
its desolation and betrayed jealousy at any
intrusion within its myterious precincts?
Or was the dismal place haunted by some
uneasy spirit, who with long, uncanny fin
gers stood ready to clutch the man who pre-
sumed to bring living hopes and fears into
a spot dedicated entirely to memories? l
had scarcely the courage to ask, but when
turned and saw what it was that had
alarmed me, did not know whether to
laugh at NV fears or feel increased awe of
my surroundings. For it was the twigs of
a tree which had seized me, and for a limb
such as this to have grown into a place in
tended for the abode Of man, necessitated a
lapse of time and depth OF solitude oppres-
sive to think of
Anxious to be rid of suggestions well
nigh bordering upon superstitions, took
one peep from the front windows, and then
descended to the first floor. The sight of
my horse quietly doing in the sum-
mer sunlight had reassured me,
and by the time [ had recrossed
the dismal threshold, and regained
the cheerful highway, was conscious of no
emotions deeper than the intense interest of
curious mind to solve the mystery and
understand the secret of this remarkable
house.
Rousing my horse from his comfortable
nap, l rode on through the forest; but
scarcely had 1 gone dozen rods before the
road took a turn, the trees suddenly parted,
and found myself face to face with wide
rolling meadows and a busy village. So
then, this ancient and deserted house was
not in the heart of the woods as 1 had i'm
agined, but III the outskirts of town, and
face to face with life and activity. This
discovery was shock TO my romance, but
rs it gave my curiosity an immediate hope
Of satisfaction, soon became reconciled to
the situation, and taking the road which led
to the village, drew up before the inn and
went in. ostensibly for refreshment. This
being speedily provided, l sat down in the
COSY dining room, and as soon as oppor-
tunity offered, asked the attentive landlady
why the old house in the woods had re-
manned so long deserted.
She gave me an odd look and then
glanced aside at an old man who sat doubled
up in the opposite corner. sit is long
story" said she, "and am busy now; but
later, if YOU wish to hear ii, will tell you
ell we know on the subject After father is
gone out, " she whispered. at always ex-
cites him to hear any talk about that old
place"
l saw that it did. 1 had no sooner men
toned the house than his white head lifted
itself with something like spirit, and his
form, which had seemed momenNbefore so
bent and aged, Strengthened with an interest
that made him look almost hale again.
81 viii tell you, he broke in; II am not
busy. l was so last birthday, and L forget
sometimes my grandchiIdren's names, but 1 |
never forget what took place in that old
house one night so years agO-never, never"
81 know, know" hastily interposed his
daughter, ''you remember beautifully; but
this gentleman wishes to eat his dinner now,
and must not have his appetite interfered |
with. You will wait, will you not, sir, till |
I have a little more leisure?'
What could l answer but yes, and what |
could the poor old man do but shrink back |
into his corner, disappointed and abashed. |
Yet / was not satisfied, nor was he, as l |
could see by the appealing glances he gave
me now and then from under the fallen |
masses of his long white hair. But the |
lsndlady was complaisant and moved about |
the table and in and out of the room with a |
bustllng air that left US but little oppor-
tunity for conversation. At length she |
was absent somewhat longer than usual,
the old man, suddenly lifting |
his head, cried out:
-'She cannot tell the story, She has no |