The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-03-23
: .*.*An Old Offender.*.* s
" e. vTH~soE WHITE.

sy 3. g. veRNeoE. M sLAok ANo whrE


NJ House. He drove up one
day--it was thought from
Iondon--in a coach with n
man servant, and many
BRASS bound boxes with the
smell of the sea on them followed him.
There was not much to be deduced
from these. but a village must nave its
gossip, and since the old man smut
himself up. reserved and uniamlilar'
and could only be seen at a distance
walking, in his grounds, very lion-ike
in his great stature and hardihood,Wlth
flashing eyes and bush of iron-gray
hair unthinned by his age, the gossip
about him grew.
1t was alleged that he had been a
member of hell-fire club in the bad
old days, and for that and other Will
ainies transported to Botany Bay,
where he had made an immense for
tune--all kept in the brass-bound boxes
by ranging the bush. The wiseacres
vowed IL was impossible to reveal his
monstrous language and the fits of
fury that disturbed the walls of Heath
House at certain times when, as they
declared the old baresark convict spirit
took him and shook him to a thunder
ana lightning of irrevocable anger.
Their listeners ohd and ahd, and
would have given their ears to be pres
ent at an exhibition of it.
give these rumors, not because they
turned out to be true, for they were
mostly false, but because they led up
TO the only instance of Mr.. Burstall's
fury that I am acquainted with and
justified II. For as l discovered most
of his i'll repute was due to the tongue
of Michael Ferney. People bore with
this fellow because he was a county
man and known-known indeed to be
fairly dissipated, vulgar too, and
coarse-minded-but known. And in a
county familiarity breeds tolerance. So
that George Winton, who was now
squire, even encouraged him to dangle
after Eva, and was set in his priggish
way against any attentions being
shown to the owner of Heath House.
merely because Ferney disapproved of
him. Dorothea Winton and |. being
engaged, disapproved of Ferney still
more strongly, and for that reason and
because Mr.. Burstall had confided to
me his desire to make the Wintons'
acquaintance, we set ourselves to per-
suade George.
Il shall bring the old man over to
lunch with you tomorrow" | said.
Doesn't he drink" said Winton.
Like a fish," / said.
We'll, then, you must see that"
He can stand it, which is more than
some people can" | said.
The idea of sottishness as the mark
of polite education was beginning to
go out of fashion then, though Ferney
was somewhat behind the times.
You forget" said Winton, reprov-
ingly, that my sisters are not accus-
toned to the society of convicts."
Gossip" / said. He's u gentle
man
He's a dear" said Dorothea. "and
We shall expect him tomorrow"
Wintor shook his head and finally ac-
'.uiesced. PrOtestation suited him, but
ii satisfied him too. Thus he support
ed his dignity, played the prudent man,
and was at liberty to wash his hands
uf any business that turned out i'll.
Some people like to feel right. How
ever, had eXtorted the invitation and
went over myself to deliver It. met
MIR. Burstall on the road. He seemed
in high spirits, and protested that
nothing could have given him greater
pleasure than the prospect of accom-
pdnNign me on the morrow.
ITS an omen," he said, IA good
omen, and you must come back now
and have dinner with me. / come Of
age todav."
"Of age?" I repeated, puzzled
Yes, SIR he said hilariously, and
broke off short, as Ferney came riding
down the road towards us. IF you will
excuse me-" he went on. Il desire a
word with This gentleman"
Ferney was walking his horse, and
he gave me a nod in passing. but paid
on heed to my companion. Mr.. Bur-
stall, however, did not mean to be ig-
nored.
Mr. Ferney," he said, Il have called
on you three times, having a very i'm
portant question to ask YOU"
'Indeed" said Ferney.
And each time / was told you were
OUT
Naturally" said Ferney, with
sneer. II am never at home to sots
or vagabonds."
The rejoinder was so heartlessly in
Sulting that i could not help CRYING
shame. What the old man wanted with
Ferney | did not know. but Ferney had
plainly put himself in the wrong.