Year: 1877

perilous feats of various kinds, which chal-
lenges l never refused. Often they set
out to play tricks on me. but it usually
happened that they tell into their own
traps. while performed my part in safe
ty.


We lived in large old house, built Of
English oak, and bearing its nearly two
centuries very lightly. 1t opened 10 the
east and west. The dining hall and spa
cious kitchen formed the square of the
house. while at the west and back were
the dairy and another porch. There were
three starways leading to the upper rooms
and garret. whose ample space was
broken only by the great chimney in the
| centre.


| We had a gay and lively house, and
were used to great deal of company and
visitors, for my parents were greatly Civ
en- to the old-fashioned virtue OF hospitali-
ty. The humblest wayfarer coming in at
the porch was entertained kindly and bid
den Godspeed, as well as the guest whose
elegant carriage and span drove around
10 the front door on the southern side.
1t is summer day, and warm, bright
and beautiful. The morning promised
lovely day. Just after our early break
fast, q merry party came riding down
the lane In carriages and on horse
back, and calling joyously for my father
and mother to accompany them on
a pleasure trip. They were accustomed
to this mode OF impromptu festivity, and
gaily answered that they would soon be
ready. 1t was only the day before that
my father had returned from the Austria
lian gold fields, and had brought with him
bag of gold. knew he had this, for
had seen him the night before counting
some out Of it. and putting it into another
bag.


| Thomas brought the chaise to the door.
Fathers favorite black horse, whose coat
looked like lustcous velvet. and who
stepped so proudly, was paving the
ground impatiently as he appeared. He
handed in my beautiful mother, and |
stood looking on with childish pleasure at
her beauty and rich dress that so became
her.


l fastened indoors again TO see them
60 down the private way that led through
our extensive grounds, and half wished l
were old enough to 60 with them. Hear
ing slight noise | turned and saw
stranger, figure not unusual. a man with
a bundle hung on stick.


| He was leaning on the stone wall, and
apparently looking after the carriages.
He came forward in moment, and asked
If he might sit down and rest, and ii l
would kindly give him something to eat.
or course | said yes, and with light steps
soon had him substantial lunch of bread
and cheese, which he came into the kitch-
en- to eat. Betsey and Hannah were busy,
hurrying to finish their work. for they
| were going out to tea and to spend the
evening. They talked gayly about their
i vi yiper 10 oft f.,f fha az
who was quietly eating. He had lain his
straw hat on the floor, and saw that his
head was bald on the top, and the thin
nish hair brushed up from behind over it.


He had prominent ears, low forehead
and large mouth, with a receding chin,
where grew stubby beard of grizzly
black like his hair. did not know why
observed all this, or his eyes. small and
hid under grayish brows, that seemed to
glance furtively about him when no one ap-
peared to be looking. His voice was harsh
and croaking. and had startled me when
he first addressed me.


| We were used to strollers Of all kinds,
as have said. Perhaps was mentally
contrasting his responsiveness with my
fathers noble and dignified features. He
seemed to me very ugly. l was glad
when he had finished his meal and risen
to go. He asked permission to light his
pipe, which was readily granted. He
went out directly, passing accidentally
through the dining room and out of the
great hall, where he fingered for mo-
ment or two. He had thanked me civily
enough for his breakfast but the girls
laughed and nodded as he went out. and
said they should think had picked up
raven.


All that long. bright day was busy and
happy in the flower garden, or sewing. or
reading; and when the girls left. looking
very cheerful at their half holiday, 1
wished them merry time, and told them
not to hasten home, for Thomas should
come for them. Iexpected my father and
mother soon after o'clock, and told
Thomas that he might go about that time,
AS they would soon be home, and it looked
a little like rain. Heavy clouds were
gathering in the west, and the thunder
rumbled sullenly. He took the covered
wagon and old gray, and, before he
stepped in, said


"Mss Ann, think you had better fas-
ten the doors, as you may be all alone for
a short time il | go so soon. Would you
not rather that / should wait TIL your
father comesP"





alone in the least, and you ought to go lest
il should rain hard. for it is more than two
miles to ride, and they may not wish to
leave in minute. | expect father aud
mother every moment. Don't wait"


So Thomas left, and the wagon ratified
merrily up the lane. l bolted the doors
because he had told me, for otherwise l
would not have thought OF it. 1t grew
dark rapidly and the thunder began to
peal heavily, while the wind rose, and the
flashes OF lightning grew more and more
vivid and frequent. went to the east
parlor, and looked out to the south, but
the sudden lighting up in the sky and the
falling darkness did not interest me long.
could not see out very we'll, either. as
the honeysuckles covered the windows.
The large mirror reflected me as turned
away to cross the room, and l stopped a
mOmpnt NTH natural vonsfv for I WAS