The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-12-31
YOUR courtesy, I leg you t
call this tale a romance, rathe
fhap q naval. Coz a. yuQkQS at

tHan mover. Tor udAcS az
empt to connect a bygone time with
the present that is even pow drifting
sway from us. It is legend. bringing
with It the mist, Of the past floating
round each character ard event-even
round the old house itself.
Sometimes 1t drifts aside and you
catch a glimpse Of older days-days
when Colonel Pynche0n, out OF pure
covetousness, despoiled old Wizard
Naule Of his house and little plot OF
land days when Maule cursed the
colonel for his sins and fOretold: GOD
would give him blood to drink days
Vken Thomas Maule, son of the wiz
ard, built for Colonel Pyncheon over
his fathers very threshold, the House
Of the Seven Gables.
On the day when Hepzibah Pyncheon
trod her pride underfoot and opened
the little cent-shop. built in the front
Fable OF the old house, there were but
few Of the Pyncheon blood left. Judge
Pyncheon, his son (who died abroad
and enters not into this tale), Hepzi-
bah and her brother Clifford, little
Phoebe Pyncheon (who had come for
4 long VISIT and few cousins. were
all. The race of Maule was supposed
extinct-at least there were none
known.
Long since Hester had let one OF Inc
kables to daguerreotypist named Hoi-
crave: and none others were IN the
old house save herself and Clinord
j (now pardoned out after serving SEN
FENCE for the supposed murder OF an
uncle), and little Phoebe.
I Judge Pyncheon was the great man
Of the town; but, despite his ever
ready smile and studied benevolence
ne was not greatly liked. HepziDal
shrank away from him and Clinoro
shrieked when he would have forcee
his way in to see him.
Hepzibah and Clifford scarce Ter
the house even for the garden Du
Phoebe and young Holgrave met lner'
often: and the kindly mist made itsei
thin between them till they saw eaci
other. clear and their hearts drew CLOS
and love came to them-but SO softi'
and sweetly they knew 1t not for love
bot called it by that other sweet mann
friendship.
Then Phoebe must needs 60 nome
and with her went all the sunshine
and the mist drifted back-and ali .n
scant happiness that had come VIII ..
- "a Henxibah and Clifford for III
Tie. ned away.
when she had gone the Judge be
came even more determined 70 se
Clifford.
ACousin Hepzibah," he begged, VII
his most benevolent smile. let me %
Clifford .
~You cannot" said Hepzibah. .Sinc
yesterday he hath kept his bed" !,
aWhatY' cried the Judge. lis ne u
Then / must and will see him. Inel
q 6one who would 90 delight to pr
eroee lis happiness and wellbelng.
Sc Of you to let me see him. Hepa
bah
IN the na1ss u Heaven. erie
L He6xlbah, her anger overcoming q
ecar. ~xiye over, l beseech You. IN
laathscme peetence Of affection =
yUur victim. You let him 20 to Prise
ss,6er false accusation. You hate MIN
~ y. IKE mani At this mome'
~ ekerish some black purpose aea.n
- s. your hearti Speak + cut e
! never speak again q your love for z
poor bruthefs" -,
The jndge's benevolsnt counts a-n
hccafne hnrd.
sf5ii7lS: 81 : aibah, = ~ I'D ~ p =
i !. 60 r. ~, 20 Is - Cll6ord hsfers
sS.I ss eXaS houpo. I win sive yeu 2
: OK - untIes esf1te. whacn