The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1900-01-25

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My Aunt Augusta W:lberforce lived
: in little New England town on the
seacoast. Her house, standing we'll
back from the street and surrounded
by magnificent elms, was one of the
oldest aud most aristocratic in the vii
lage.
It was delightful place to visit,
and particularly for child of dreamy
and Imaginative Temperament, its at
fractions were endless.
The garden, with it, box-edged
walks and old-fashioned fiowerbeds,
and the house, where everything dated
past one generation after another, had
equal charms for me.
Aunt Augusta lived entirely in the
past; the friends she had lost long
years before lived for her still. I used
to think she too more comfort with
them than many people do with their
living ones.
Her walls were hung with portraits
and some really fine paintings. Among
them was one of which was particu-
larly fond, called ''The Cavaliers Es-
cape"
A handsome young man in slashed
doublet and long purple hose was
creeping up the stone steps, from a
gloomy dungeon, past his sleeping
taller. His boots with their long
shining spurs he carried under his
arm. and a beautiful maiden waited
for him at the top of the shadowy
stairs, with the great castle key IN
one slender hand, while the other was
lifted warningly, her frightened eyes
fixed on the jailer's unconscious face.
I speak of the cavalier as young
and handsome, though, truth to tell,
only the back of his head, with his
long auburn iove-locks, was visible in
the picture; but Notwithstanding this
fact, have never been able to get
I over the idea that once saw his face.
gut I'll tell you how it happened.
was paying my usual summer visit
to my aunt, and spending my time
very satisfactorily to myself in reading
and dreaming. I was 13 years old,
and considered by my friends to pos
sess more Imagination than was al
together good for me-.
But on the particular day OF which
am telling you my meditations were
interrupted by one of the neighbors,.
who came in to beg my Aunt Augusta
to allow her to examine my great
grandmother wedding dress. Her
daughter was going to take part in
some rableaux and wanted an inspira-
ton for her costume.
The wonderful gowns my aunt kept
hidden away in the dark recesses OF
the .'spare room" wardrobe I looked
upon with delight and awe, on the rare
occasions when she would allow me
peep at these treasures. But was
never permitted to touch any OF them,
though it was the desire of my life to
see myself ,,rrayed in my great-grand-
mothers wedding dress. After Mrs.
Woodfern had gazed and admired to
her satisfaction my aunt folded the
beautiful satin and lace, locked them
away again out of sight, and gave me
the keys to put back in her desk,
while she accompanied her guest
downstairs
Twas obediently on my way to her
room, when something Mrs. Wood
fern was saying caught my ear.
Three houses have been entered
already, Miss Wilberforce. Do you
think it is safe for you here, with no
man to call in for protection? You
hare so many valuable things to at
tact a burglar"
.I am not nervous" Aunt Augusta
answered as they passed ont of sight.
but I felt must hear the account
Mrs Woodfern was giving of the bur
glars desperate deeds, SO I dropped
the keys in my pocket and hurried
down, meaning to come up at once and
take care of them after Mrs. Wood
fern was gone.
There was full moon that night.
It streamed into all the windows and
lighted up the rooms with its splendor.
Aunt Augusta went to bed early with
headache, and I wandered about the
house by myself, indulging in fancies
Of the widest nature.
The portraits looked at me solemn
II from the walls, and I thought of
Hans Andersen.s stories, and wished
they would come down and talk to
me. How delightful it would be to
ses all the stately ladies and gentle
men walking about in the moonlight!
But perhaps they they were only wait
ing for me to be out of the way.
] was standing before my great
grandmother's portrait, when I rem
embered the keys in my pocket
could try that wedding dress on then
and no one be the wiser! I would not
hurt it; there was no reason why any
one should mind.
Noiselessly, I crept upstairs to the
{ the big front room, that also was
flooded with moonlight had forgot
ten the blinds with the keys.
Closing the door softly behind me,
/ crossed the floor on tiptoe and un-
locked the great wardrobe's doors,
holding my breath at my own daring,
but in few minutes there I stood, in
the shining satin, with the beautiful
old lace veil falling like mist around
me.
It really was wonderful how it all
fitted me, even the little satin shoes,
with the great paste buckles, that
shone like diamonds Of the purest
water.
walked into the moonlight and
looked down at myself. Oh, what a
pity no one could see! Even I could
only get half glimpse at the glories
Of my costume.
If only I dared go downstairs, the
long mirror between the windows in
the parlor would be what I wanted!
No sooner said than done. A
spirit of adventure was alive in my