The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1906-02-07

mutuoT Sdiu, Wnen ldtutr SuSeeSlet
taking me with him, as he often did In
the holidays. | was lad of twelve
and father, who was a contractor, had
. big job on new railway. The OBJ
3ect Of this journey was to pay the
men, the paymaster being Ill.
II don't like you to carry so much
money" mother complained. ITS
dangerous" ...
A., mot bit of it, Mary; don't worry
Not creature knows that am taking
It. Besides, we are ahead of pay day.
But mother was not satisfied, watch
ing us wistfully from the doorstep the
next morning when we started for the
Office. A messenger from the bank
brought the money, which was put
into fathers valise. My bag was only
half full and exactly like fathers in
size and color. r
We left town at II o'clock. You may
be sure that we kept careful eye on
the valise. r,
It was dark when we reached Oak
ton, and after poor supper at the
only hotel we waited for the stage
which was to take us to our destina-
ton-twelve miles distant. The stage,
drawn by two bony horses, rumbled up
to the sidewalk
where's Bill?" father asked, for the
burly driver always amused him with
bis quaint remarks.
Guess Bill can't drive this here
stage tonight" the landlord answered.
''Them old horses skeered at some
thing this morning and upset the rig,
an Bill. he's allyn upstairs with
broken leg"
Dilly's substitute was anything but
attractive. have seldom seen a more
Aisagreeable face. His. eyes were
small and shifting; his mouth drawn
down. He was polite, however, and
put out his hand for the valises.
"Never mind" said father, careless
y. They will not be In the way,
since we are the only passengers"
The night was dark and gloomy. An
nnaccountable depression came over
-. Going through the village father
told me that it had once been of some
importance, but rival town had
drawn away business and people, add
Ing that It was sad to see such beauti-
ful houses going to decay"
I'VE will pass house said to be
haunted" father went on. "A man
was found dead in his room and the
place became 80 terrifying to the fam
lily that they left it hurriedly not even
taking their furniture"
wished that father would not dwell
on such unpleasant subjects, for it
gave me a horrid sensation Of fear.
Where did the accident happen this
morning?" we inquired Of the driver.
Near the haunted house was the
reply. The horses seemed nervous and
sAied at every shadow. aAl'3te 4
Here's the place" the driver cried,
~and-1eurss III the beasts seem to
remember itY At the same instant the
tsrrtnsd animals shied violently, and
before we could speak the left wheels
had gdne into a ditch and the big pole
snapped on The man Jumped out,
trying to quiet the frightened horses
Strange. to say we were unhurt and
scrambled out, clinging to our luggage
The driver professed great concern. |
appeaf ring much annoyed at the acci-
lsnt. We freed the horses and tried
% lift the wagon, but so; much damage
had been done that 1t was impossible
- repair It. * .Nj.,t .ls 5. S.8a
II must get on to Norton tonight"
fatheE said, n, Can we get z, : wagon
There was nothing nearer than the |
Village, the man declared, .Gand must |
eAke these horses back and hitch them |
. the other bus" Then rubbing his |
had and considering: -' |
There's some folks in the old house
yonder. guess they can give you a |
bsd, and will be back by daybreak." |
There, seemed to be no alternative,
70 we went to the old mansion. The |
door was opened by a man with an
unforgettable face; with large pale |
Olu0 cyco, y Wiuc IOTcuedu Win q
broken nose. He spoke kindly, saying |
that he would give us shelter. After |
lingering before cherry wood fire,
which scenes to emphasize the ftful |
shadows, we were conducted to big |
bedroom upstairs. Its windows opened
On q long veranda.
After our host left US we stepped |
uut, discovering that the veranda was
much dilapidated and that a long
ladder leaned against 1t. We next |
turned our attention to the room. A
huge, high-backed bed stood at one
uide; and in the centre a table on
which were two lighted candles. It |
had been handsome apartment, with |
richly painted walls and dark wains-
coting. Old pictures hung on the |
walls, their gift frames tarnished and |
austy. Opposite the tables were por-
Eraits-handsom people In The dress Of |
long ago.
We began to prepare for bed. Father |
Dlaosd his valise ON the table. taking |
mt dinsrsnt article, and laying some