The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-08-11


hearth. Paneled woodwork extended
around the sides of the room, and us
far up rs the window stills. In one
corner was tall, old-fnshioned clock.
liz another corner, Mt the end farthest
from the bedroom, stood closet that
was like n square box set on end and
pushed back into tho angle where the
side met the end of the room. The
| corner itself made the back walls of
the closet, while the two front sides
made mn opposite corner that project
ed into the room.
Its door was fastened with n wooden
button, put on with big wrought
nail. This closet was used for n
clothes press for overalls and other
things worn about tho farm. Like al
most everything else to be seen in this
room, il helped the illusion that trans
ported me back to colonial tees.
accepted o chair near the old lady,
who was deaf, and found her nm in
teresting and intelligent talker. But
conversation was made little difficult
by the deafness OF tho elder and the
ditlidence of the younger one. Both
characteristics, however, seemed to fit
tho plnco charmingly.
They asked about my trip. When
mentioned my destination tho young
lady surprised me by remarking:
81 have brother ut Yale"
inquired his name.
"Your brother is well known in col
legc," said ], she is ono of the best
men among the juniors"
She blushed Mt this praise of her
brother, and turning toward tho door
| had noticed, said:
"You will occupy his room; that
ono behind you. am afraid it may
seem n little lonely" sho added, "but
our hired man will come homo before
very late and his room is directly over
it,"
Nothing 80 lonely as that road
from Coventry is likely to fall to my
share to night" | replied.
at must seem SO to stranger. |
suppose, too, that this is the longest
hill you have seen on the way"
ayes, aud hardly saw this one for
the darkness. But L realized its
length"
Long Hill is its name"
at Is n fitting enc. We have n
high hill, or mountain, in full view
near Fitchburg, almost ns aptly
named. 1t has bare stony look as ii
stones might roll down from the top,
and we call it Rollstone."
isn't Mt. Wachusett near Fitch
burg?"
''Sot SO near rs old Rollstone. How
far down this hill have 1 Gomez"
almost half way"
"How far off in this direction are
your nearest neiGhbors?"
"a milo and quarter. There is
only one house in three miles, except
one or two old deserted ones"
and do you two always live here
alone?"
"No; most of the timo We have n
hired man"
al should think you would be
dreadtully lonesome. Aren't you
afraid somotimes?"
1--WE never think of it. You know
we have always lived here. This is as
natural to us as Fitchburg or Now
Haven is to you"
'In reality you may be safer here.
Sometimes burglars make calls there, :"
ave had burglar here once"
begged to hear the story.
at was whom my father and mother
were living" said the young woman.
'They had started that day for Nor
wich, taking mo with them, for short
visit at my uncle's, 1 was little girl
then and my brother Joe, who is now
In college, was only twelve yoars old.
He was never given to frightening
himself with things that did not hap.
pen, and he rather enjoyed being left
alone as man of the house, with grand.
mn over night.
"Jn tho middle Of the night he
walked and thought he heard grandma
in the kitchen. He knew it would be
of no use to call and ask if she was iii,
fer she was rs deaf then as she is now.
SO he jumped out of bed and came
right out here into this room. A few
Goals left in the fireplace made n dim
light. He was surprised to find no
one here. Soon he noticed that one of
the windows had been left open. Then
no saw that tho button was turned
from the closet door. The door moved
slightly. lie sprung with his whole
force against it and turned the but
ton"
GOOD for little Jooi I" / exclaimed.
ut had been still since ho first
moved" she continued, "but there
was noise enough now. am telling
him what n rumpus tho burglar made
when he found himself in Joe's lock-
mp" said she, turning 60 her grand
mother, who could hear very little,
but was Watching my countcnanco
while / listened.
"Dcnr me ." said tho old lady, 'I
never was so frightened. / walked ND
anil was sure there was n great noiso
somewhere. My first thought was
that some OF the creatures were loose
in tho barn. Then heard n man YELL
ing an couldn't thinl, what on earth
had happened When / caught tho
sound of little Joes voice in the kitch-
en- cnmc out as quick as I could get
here. / couldn't see anybody but him,
but he seemed to be holding n lively
discussion with some one. Shut up
your noise, he shouted. Hush = said
!. Whom are you talking 10 like
thntP Then ] heard somebody roar,
Let mo ont of this, youugstor, or III
break every bono in your BODY