The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-05-09
Che House Of Or. Stranoc.

~~e
THERE stood the large dwelling
house, not stones throw from
the public highway. 1t was
surrounded by a much neg
lected hedge, thru which wayfarers
could perceive neglected flower beds, q
few aphyllous grape vines, tumbliDg
down outhouses, empty crates, boxes,
barrels, and last but more conspicuous
than other things, was chimney place
erected on the outside of the house.
This attracted considerable attention
because OF its recent annexation to the
house. 1t had been the subject Of COM
ment by little group of persons for
an hour or more when Mr.. Fay hap
pened along. How he came to saunter
into this particular district of Merri-
mac City is one of those insoluble ques-
tions; yet, the following from one of
his note books may give the reader a
general idea:
81 was standing on the macadamized
street when happy thoughts struck me.
l would spend my summer vacation
down on the Swanee River. 1 would
lie on the grassy banks of that historic,
tabled, or song popularized creek, in
hale the salubrious air, gaze at the
azure skies, listen to the saccharine
notes of mocking birds, the tuneful
chattering of parrots, the harmonious
screeching of owls, the trilling, vibrat-
ing notes of meadowlarks, and
sweet ditties of rainbow-feathered hum
ming birds, perhaps air-piercing screams
of eagles. 1 would find me cool Sc
Questered spot and enjoy spasms of
Poe, opium dreams of DeQnincy, NOR
alizings Of Comstockery, avenging ep-
ftaphs of Dante, marvellous transitions
of Keats, philosophy of Dooley, or pc
ruse those mirth-producing productions
of Billy Nye, 81 Perkins and Twain. L
[ would ramble 'mongst those old Ken
lucky cabins where 1 could hear the
banjoes ringing, the darkies singing,
and see the colored folks sitting round
the cabin doors watching spry young.
sters tripping off the buck and wing
shuttle. L would wander thru the cot
ton fields, the cane-brakes and there in
some plantation home L would meet
fair golden-haired, Miss Blue-eyes, or
dreaming Maude and pictured to N.Y.
self charming climax to a romantic
romance. Then 1 strolled down Mon
ltor Street." While in this dreaming
mood Mr.. Fay found himself mingling
with the little group gazing at the
chimney place.
The little group was composed of
those ordinary types devoid of that fine
sensibility which enables the aesthetic
soul to revel in delights of Natures
perfections, and lacking the ability to
discern the field of probable surprises
reposing beyond the high hedge, with
in the four walls of the weather-scarred
house. But as Mr.. Fay stood gazing
at the cabalistic figures and diagrams
interviewer In the architecture of the
house he concluded it was the habita-
tion of some scientific person, and
asked bystander who resided there.
"That," said the person addressed, sis
the home of eccentric DR.. Strange" /"
Further queries brought out the in for
nation that the doctor had purchased
the house the previous fall and brought
his beautiful daughter here to reside,
but she had remained only short
time; where they came from, or the girl
mad gone to, none knew; but now the
doctor lived alone. This much was
known; that was all. Soon the little
group left, leaving Jack alone, and he
stood gazing at the old structure.
There was the veranda ornamented by
arabesque of antique designs, giving
one glimpse of grotesque images.
Fay's curiosity was aroused, and the
impalpable thoughts of soap-bubble
outing down on the Swanee vanquished
leaving conjectures about this arcade
of mystery uppermost in his mind.
While thus standing mysterious noises
began to emanate from the house; loud
er, louder, they grew until it resembled
q council chamber of demons.
Glancing around and observing that
he was unobserved Fay passed thru an
opening in the hedge and hurried to-