The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-03-09
Our 09lio.
THE MIDNIGHT BURIAL.
Written for the Democratic Advocate
BY EDGAR +. READ.


earlier and earlier. for the season of winter
was not far distant. and the dreary land
scape was yelled in Il mysterious gloom soon
after the sun hid itself behind the hills to
the west The bright colors in the woods
were fast disappearing, as the leaves fell
from the branches, and forming little piles
about the tree trunks seemed waiting for
wind to scatter them over the ground
The bitches beside the road were partly
filled with fallen twigs and leaves, blown
thither by some sportiye breeze, while over
head few boughs were already stripped Of
their autumnal tints and spread their naked
forms 10 every side
The cattle were not seen lingering in the
meadow 50 late in the evening as when in
the warmer days Of summer they browsed
along the quiet stream till after the great
red sun sank to rest and shadows crept
across the fields. Many Of the song birds.
whose carols SO often echoed at dawn from
the neiehboring dell had taken their
southern flight and the wind blowing
through the woods whispered with mourn
full sound us the tall forms Of the trees
bowed their tops before its force. 1t was
the dreary. desolate fall when summer 5
spirit is preparing to bid farewell until the
warmer suns of spring shall infuse new life
into her dormant veins.
Just outside the little village stood an
old country mansion. \ broad porch oc
cupied the entire front, and in the centre
opposite the entrance large pillars support
ed the roof 1t was of the colonial type,
with wings and numerous gables so pecu-
liar to that style Of architecture, and had
been erected many years before the neigh
boring hamlet sprang into existence.
In former times honest hospitality held
sway within its walls; and not few were
the legends which passed from mouth to
mouth about the stately DANES and powder
ed officials who had feasted around its ample
board on watzed upon its waxened floors
to the airs of royal music. But those
times had passed forever; and although the
one now living within its portals was Il
descendant of the old line, the customs Of
his father were not observed with the same
respect as in former times.
The lord of the Manor was Judge
Of considerable fame whose name was we'll
known throughout many Of the Eastern
States Having entered the profession of
his father when quite young man, he
found himself on the death of his parent
not only in possession Of home and an
extensive estate. but with prospects Of Il
practice the like of which few young law
vers ever become masters. The favor OF
fortune. together with an ardent ambition
for distinction placed him, after several
wears of earnest labor, in the foremost rank
of his colleagues; and before his locks had
lost their raven hue he was bearing all the
cares and responsibilities of the Judge 5
office Shortly after the death of his
parents he married a lady Of high family,
and bringing his young bride to the
Manor made the old family seat their
happy home.
As time passed, many peculiarities, un-
noticed in his earlier life. marked the
judges conduct and his manners grew
more and more eccentric with feeling years.
But the relations he manifested toward his
wife were those Of the tenderest affection;
and as the years came and went they seemed
to leave no visible trace of pain OF sorrow
on the two tenants. Alone, excepting the
attendance of their servants, they lived a
retired life. holding but little intercourse
with the outer world The Judge still
occupied his seat on the bench in the per
formance of whose duties he would oftimes
remain from home during several weeks.
The seasons came and passed and came
again, and still the old house stood lonely
and forsaken by all but the memory OF
vanished mirth, bearing an appearance far
different from that exhibited in former
years. In summer. when the birds sang
upon the branches and the odors Of sweet
flowers perfumed the evening air it looked
more cheerful; but when the blasts Of win
ter shook the leafless limbs of the trees in
the park, and the snow lay smooth and
white through the woods marked here and
there by the tracks of the fox or rabbit.
the mansion grew desolate Many a be-
lated villager Fastening past the manor
at night, as the moon hid itself behind
banks of heavy cloud, beheld. in his wild
imaginings, ghostly lights, fitting about
the windows; and the wind blowing over
the chimneys and among the many gables,
its low moan could be heard at every lull
in the storm fury.
After time an epidemic that
terrible enemy of southern life the yellow
fever = invaded the neighboring ter
ritory, and in its progress soon reached the
small village. The Judge during his cir
cults among the courts contracted the dis
ease, but his strong constitution bore the