South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1891-08-07
IHEINTELLlGENCER
FRIDAY. AUGUST z. 1891.
UNCLE NEDs STORY.

NcOS S1OAI.
We bad been driving for son
hours along one of those beau iiul VAL
leys in Virginia that seam the foot.
hills OF the Blue Rioge. and came
within sight of some L1nbardv Ion.
lars oil TO the tight below which was
dense growth OF evergreens.
Oar marse; dat am de place bout
which ] old ye. Wait till We Git
round de bend, and we'll see the
house. said Uncle Ned. pointing his
whip In the direction indicated.
told him TO drive up to the place.
which be did with great willingness.
though l heard him Sigh and, from
the expression of his venerable face.
snew there was something In the
"reminiscences and associations of the
place that made him sad.
We drove between two stone
posts. from one of which great gate
at one time swung. but only crumb.
ling, rusty hinges remained to tell
the purpose for which they were used.
Up a weed covered, curving drive,
and the old man pulled in his horses
before large house. or rather the
ruin of large house for the roof lad
fallen 10, the windows uere sashless.
and the Virginia creepers trailing up
the pillars, failed TO hide the rotten
capitals AMI the red spaces. like
wounds, from which the plaster had
scaled off.
The doors were down, and throu yh
the wide hall, before which we stood.
We could see the servants quarters
Beyond, all more tumbIsd down and
ruined than the greater and stron ,er
structure.
We hitched the horses and entered,
the old man removed his hat and
spoke in whispers, as II in q church,
with the dead before him.
Cobweb, and bats hung from the
ceiling OF tho many stately rooms,
where once hospitality ruled With o..
en- palms and old time festivities we're
held. The chimneys had fallen dowa
on the hcarths and in the great par
lor NO found the LAIR OF q fox, the
sunken floor covered with the bones
OF bis victims.
Our entrance started an owl, that
after circling about the room in
blind fright struck by chance the
open space occupied by a window "
and flew away.
Ii you don't mind, san. I'll 60 out
an stan' by de horses, said Uncle
Ned. as l was abou. TO ascend the
crumbling stairs from which the ban.
listers had rotted away.
saw the old man was nervous. as
L went up alone, and in Imagination
tried to picture the ruin what it was
In the good old days, but without sue
cess. 1t is hard to fancy the deal
old paupcr happy, handsome youth
What ho is, not what no was, fills
the mind
came down, and found Uucle
Ned sitting at the foot OF one OF the
pillars, his face buried in his hands.
AT my approach he looked up, and |
could see ihere were tears in bis eyes.
He had informed me that he once
lived at this mans!or-when Judge
Lagrange was it's head and bis mas
ter.
Sitting down by the old man, !
drew out this story; but l shall not
attempt to use his language. whIls
my own is wholly inadequate TO de
Pict the old mans simple pathos.
Judge Lagrange, we'll known Atty
years before in Virginia for his wealth
hospitality and culture. built his man.
sion, and there entertained right roy
ally his friends, or those who were
fortunate enough to bear him letters
of introduction.
his vile was . beautiful, accom-
piisbed woman, and they seemed "a
have but one object 10 Iife-the edu-
cation OF their sons, Arthur and
George. The brothers were nearly oil
40 age aud though educated by the
same tutor and under the samsvatch.
lui AMI refining home Influences, they
developed into youths as opposite 10
appearance and disposition ss If they
belonged to q different race.
Aithur Lagrange, though strong
ann Dsndsome physically, Was gentle.
refined aud intellectual. While q
good horseman, and fond Of the sports
In which the youth Of Virainia thea
as now-delighLed. be had no passion
Tor them. He so far out stripped
bis older brother that he was sent 70
college two years before George was
readyi and at college he stood at the
head OF ell bis classes, and frst ia the
directions OF his classmates.
George Lagrange. at the ags OF IS,
was short, stout youth, with a low
oro", heavy jaw, and an uncou.h
manner. He was fond OF registering
companions, preferred the saddle 70
study, and became an adept ia the
use OF arms.
The quick temper, and inclination
70 cruelty manifested in bis boyhood,
developed into brutal, domineering
disposition as be neared maturity.
The servants, who worshlpped Arthur,
stood in constant dread OF George,
whom even bis fathers stern will
could not control.
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