Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-02-14
CHAPTER III.

1t was something like coming home,
after all, albeit to house almost void
of furniture and peopled only with
bremembrances of loved forms long since
Fgone. At any rate, it was the only home
1 could really call my own.
There were two rooms, the spare
bedroom and the parlor adjoining, on
| the first floor, which still retained the
| furniture. Everything about these
rooms, though faded and somewhat
worn, was in good order, and 1 COM
| plimented Mrs. Snyder on the care she
had taken.
Sarah had thrown up the windows,
and the soft evening air came into the
| rooms.
1 Although the place had not been
allowed to go to ruin, there was about
it that indescribable quality which is
attached to long-deserted houses. We
all felt it more or less. Sarah and Mrs
Snyder spoke in whispers; Jake stepped
about on tiptoe, as though fearful that
the heavy tread of his cowhide boots
would bring back the spirits of the
departed; while to myself there was
pathos about the old house which had
1t seemed like some human being de-
serted by it's own flesh and blood.
| While L was passing from bureau
to wardrobe, from center-table to man.
tel-piece, taking mental notes of all the
old-fashioned china and bric-a-brac
which adorned those places still. and
which in my young days had been for
hidden my boyish fingers, Sarah and
Mrs. Snyder made up the bed, taking the
bedding from huge cedar chest which
stood on one side of the room
Sprigs of spruce and hemlock had
been placed in the chest from time to
time, and when the cover was lifted
the pungent odor filed the room.
All through the preparations 1 no.
ticed that Sarah and Mrs. Snyder were
engaged in earnest conversation.
The old widow was especially vehe-
ment, and Sarah would frequently
shake her head and give forth exclam-
atoms indicative either of wonder or of
disapprobation. My old nurse also ia
vored me with many glances which
seemed to have much of solicitude in
| them.
When everything had been done to
make me comfortable for the night,
Sarah turned to me, and spoke low,
with touch of fear in her tones.
Come. Mel. you go back home with
u.s. she said. Don't stay here all alone
in dis grade big house. am afrait
to hat you. Come back with u.s." she
reiterated, appealingly.
mo, indeed" replied, decidedly. II
would not miss sleeping amid the CRATE
ful odor of spruce for anything. I'll
be over to your house for breakfast.
Mrs. Snyder" turning toward the old
widow. You understand am TO take
my meals at your house, do you not ?'
! Eyes. Dat ish all fixed. Mr.. Son
tag, your lawyer, told me. Bud you
better go back NIT Sarah" the old
woman replied.
/ And why so? What's to hinder nv
staying here in my own house?" 1
asked. Have you cooked up a scheme.
Sarah, with Mrs. Snyder, to force me to
go back with your" I asked of NV old
nurse. Never fear, youll see enough
of me. TIL come over to your house
! often"
! The two women exchanged glances,
and seemed TO be reluctant to proceed.
Finally Sarah spoke in awe-stricken.
tones, first looking around with q
frightened expression.
"Dere's something funny aboud de
ihouse, Nell"
\ Humph! Idon't see anything funny
at all" 1 replied. There is more sad
ness to me-"
1. "Der's awful strange things hat been
I'seen and heard" Sarah continued, with
hdeep seriousness. Old Jake's face fell
Fat his wife's words. and he moved near
Yer to her.
I "Who has seen and heard strange
things, and what are they?" I asked,
Elightly. for am not superstitious. and
not easily frightened by two old
women's imaginations.
Mrs. Snyder hat seen lights at night,
and efen in de daytime hat heard noises,
strange noises of talking" replied my
fold nurse.
We'll, they will have to be very bright
flights and very loud noises to awaken
me tonight, for intend to sleep like
fstone," 1 said, laughingly. "The
strangest thing Of all to me is my com
ing here for the first time since my
\ SioANiothCi . Douy Was DOrne from the
kparlor to be placed in the grave"
4 Old Jake gave sudden start which
Eattracted my attention to him. ! saw
bhim gaze through the open doorway in
fto the parlor in very evident terror, and
fheard him exclaim, in low, awed tones:
E"Gott in Himmel!"
l could not restrain a smile at the
sight of the tall, strong man overcome
by childish fears, and was about to up
braid him for his foolishness. But re-
membered the vein of superstition
which runs through the lives of the
Pennsylvania farmers, and so said moth
ing.
Come back with us" again pleaded
Sarah.
NO. If there is anything out of the
ordinary about my house, am all the
| more determined to remain and find out