The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-06-13
THE BROWN WOMAN.


THE BROWN WOMAN.
At a distance Of about so miles from
Harper's Ferry it situated one of the old
est and qua:ntest towns in Virginia. Not
only do its historic associations attract
the traveller, but the picturesque charm
Of its old time homes induces him TO ling
er there, hunting curios or plucking
thyme and myrtle from the garden Of
some ancient dame. Ofall these homes,
none so invites the curious passerby as
that Of Miss Polly Waller. A stone wall ,
ivy grown and diseolOred, encloses the
spacious garden in the centre Of which
stands this lady's house. What delights
are revealed to those who can roam at
will in this garden on a sunny day The
inner side Of the stone wall is a back
ground against which one sees a row of
twisted white lilac bushes, the blossoms
Of which in spring Gil the whole neigh
borhood with their delicious sweetness.
A carefully trimmed and regularly grown
border Of box incloses the flower beds
and outlines the well trodden gravel
walks, along the sides of which grow
rosemary and ealacanthus, yellow jas
mine and syringa, citron, aloes and da-
mask roses.
One evening in the month of Septem-
Der several ladies were gathered about
card table in Miss Poily's front parlor.
The evening being cool and windy, the
huge fireplace was piled high with blsz
ing logs. So enticing did the fire prove
that very soon all the ladies threw down
their cards and grouped themselves close
TO the hearth. The high wind outside
caused an oyer-hanging maple bough to
lash itself against the window pane. This
excited the nerves OF some Of the ladies,
and this with the social and expansive
element which fire has always the pow
to awaken, turned the conversation upon
the weird and fantastic.
81 can tell you a genuine story
and, what's more, every word of it is
true" said Miss Blunt, a lady, who
though still unweddei, could own to
years and experience sufficient to expect
that Ter word would be accepted.
Tell us! Tell US :" clamored half
dozen female voices.
"Well," began Miss Blunt, who was a
frail, nervous little woman, with wide
open, startled eyes, which one could easi-
ly believe had acquired their present ex-
preston from frequent observations of
ghosts. Before continuing she drew
nearer to the. fire, clasped one knee about
with both hands and continued: "Some
years ago went to New York on visit
tJ a relative. This cousin was descend
ed on the paternal side from an old Dutch
family, which in days long gone by had
built great house in Bleecker street and
there for three generations had lived in
the enjoyment of wealth and high social
position. At last, however, evil days
came, the house in Bleecker street pass
ed into strange hands, and the old family
became scattered.
This cousin had somewhat regained
the wealth and position which his fami-
ly had lost. By strange freak he re-
bought the old house in Bleecker street,
preferring it TO an Up town residence.
After he had refitted it, it made charm
ing home. Itwas after he and his fami-
ly had been living there for some months
that went to visit them. When look
ing out Of the windows, it seemed queer
to be in this part of New York, but when
gave myself up to the comfort and beau
ty of the rooms it was as delightful as
any house / ever sag-at least thought
so, though the family itself did not seem
quite certain concerning it.
"My cousin, could see, was charmed
with the success Of his scheme and had
the satisfied air of man who has played
a bold game and won. The wife and
daughter did not appear to partake of his
content. They were restless at times,
and was inclined to think them want
ing in gratitude.
"One day l was sitting in my room,
some embroidery silks, when
upon looking up saw standing before
me little old woman, all dressed in
brown, with white handkerchief cross
ed upon her breast. Her face was that
Of foreigner, and her eyes had that pa
thetic, appealing look in them which !
goes straight to the heart. Finding this
strange woman in my room unannounc-
ed, felt some surprise and questioned |
her sharply. SAe gave me no reply, but
stood there, looking me through, as it
were, with those pathetic eyes. Think
ing her some foreign sewing woman who
was possibly embarrassed at her inabili-
ty to use the English language, told her
10 accompany me down stairs, where
some one no doubt could be found who
would understand what she wished.
ave started together out of the room.
preceded, but kept her in sight. Upon
he stairs she seemed to disappear sud-
ienly. / called to her. ran back to
zee if had been mistaken and if she lin
yered still in my room. did not see her
anywhere. Then l concluded that she
lad disappeared into one of the other
-ooms, and that had better descend and
iend some one to seek her. went down
nto the library, where my Cousins wife
md daughters were occupied with their
told them about the lit
lie woman up stairs and requested that
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