Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-05-30
GHAPTER /

The season was early summer, the year
1850. The morning had been bright and
calm, but q mist had crept up from the sea
as the day wore on, and tho night, when
1t came, was close, dark and dumb. Laden
with its salt scent, the dank vapor had en-
veloped an old house on the "brew" be-
hind the town. 1t was curious place,
ugly, long, loose and struggling. One
might say it was foatureless and irreso-
lutte old fabric. Over the porch was print
ed, "Prepare to Meet Thy God" 1t was
called Balladhoo, and with its lands 1t had
been for ages the holding of the Mylreas,
an ancient Manx family, once rich and
consequently revered, now notoriously less
wealthy and proportionately more fallible.
In this house there was parlor that
faced the bay and looked out toward the
old castle and the pier at the mouth of the
harbor. Over the mantelpiece was carved,
Gods Providence Is Mine Inheritance. !"
One might add that it was melancholy
old mansion.
A gentleman was busy at table in the
bay window, sorting and arranging papers
by the last glimmering daylight. He was
q man of 65, stout, yet flaccid and slack,
and wearing a suit Of coarse blue home
spun that lay loosely upon him. His white
hair hung about face that bespoke an
unusual combination of traits The eyes
and forehead were full of benevolence, but
the mouth was alternately strong and
weak, harsh and tender, uncertain wheth-
er the proper function Of its mobile cor
ners was to turn up In laughter or down
in disdain.
This was Evan Mylrca, member Of the
house of Keys, harbor commissioner and
boat owner, philanthropist and magistrate,
coroner, constable and local for the Wes-
leyan body and commonly known by his
surname coupled with the name of his es-
tate-Mylrea Balladhoo. Mylrea Ballad
hoo did not belle his face. He was the sort
of man who gives his dog one blow for
swapping at his hand and then two more
for not coming back to be caressed.
Rightly understood, the theory Of NOR
ais that an aot like this implies tells the
whole story of Mylrea's life and character
so far as either of these concerns the pres
ent history. 1t was the rule on which this
man, now grown old, had lived with the
young, reckless, light hearted, thought
less, beautiful and darling wife whom he
had brought from England 80 years ago
and buried at home five years afterward.
It was the principle on which he had
brought up her only son.
Just now there came from some remote
| part of the house the most doleful walls
| that ever arrested mortal ears. At times
| they resembled the scream Of the cormo'
rant as he wheels over rock at SEQ. Al
other times they recalled more precisely
the plaintive appeal Of the tailless tabby
| when she Is pressed hard for time and
space. Mylrea Balladhoo was conscious
| Of these noises. Glancing once at his face
you might have thought 1t had dropped tt
stern frown. CHANGING twice, you must
have seen that 1t had rison to broad
grin. One might certainly say that this
was grewsome dwelling.
| There was loud banging Of doors; tht
distant screeches were suddenly abridged
| There was the tread of an uncertain fooi
In the passage without, the door opened
and an elderly man entered carrying {
lamp, which he placed on the table. 1t wa
James Quark, the gardener, commonl!
called Jenny Balladhoo. That mention
of the cormorant was lucky. This man.
| eyes had Just the sea bird s wild stare. Th'
two little gray green globes Of fire were
however set in face Of the most fiabb.
amiability. His hair, which was thin ant
| weak, travelled straight down his forehead
due for his eyes. In one hand he carrie'
something by the neck, which, as he en-
tered, he made late and futile efforts II
conceal behind his back.
"It's Mr.. Kerruish Kinvig, sir, that
coming up to SEQ you," said the man In
meek voice.
"Show him in," said Mylrea Ballad
hoo, ''and Jenny" he added, shouting
in the mans ear, "for mercy's sake tax
that fiddle to the barn"
"Take him to the barnp" said Jenny
with an affrighted stare. "Why, it's con-
ing here he is, this very minute"
1.-THE fiddle, the fddlel' shouted MI
Mylrea- II always had my doubts abou
the music that in 1t, and now SEQ there
none at all" Jenny took himself of
carrying his fiddle very tenderly In bot
hands. He was all but stone deaf, poo
fellow, and had never yet known the flu
: enjoyment of his own music. That's VIII
he was SO liberal Of 1t with people NOR
happily endowed
A big clustering fellow then dashed int
the parlor without ceremony.
"Balladhoo" he shouted In a voice tina
, rang through the house, why don't 20
have the life Of that bowling demon
Here, take my claspknife at 1t and silenc
, 1t forever"
sits gone to the barn, !" said Myre
Balladhoo quietly in reply to these blood
, thirsty proposals.
The newcomer, Kerruish Kinvig, wa
prosperous ne5maker in Peel and
. thorn In the side Of every public offlcif
, within radius Of miles. The joy Of hi
J life was to have delightful row with
2 magistrate, a coroner, q commissioner
= perhaps parson by preference. Whe
there was never public meeting to
!, interrupted, never 'vestry" to be br'
ken up, Kerruish Kinyig became as fl
!. and stale asan old doG and was forced