Year: 1877

UafcO me 10 go lnCO lOnely places III
the dark, or do perilous feats of var
ious kinds, which challenges l nev-
er refused. Often they set out to
play tricks on me, but it usually
happened they fell into their
own traps, while I performed my
part in safety.


We lived in large house, built of
English oak, and bearing Its nearly
two centuries very lightly. 1t open
ed to the south, and the two large
parlors looked to the east and west.
The dining-hall and spacious kitchen
formed the square of the house, while
at the west and back was another
large room, sometimes called the
great porch, and at the east and
back was the dairy and another
porch. There were three stairways
leading to the upper rooms and a
garret, whose ample space was brok-
en- only by the great chimney in the
centre.


We had a gay and lively house,
and were used to great deal of
company aud visitors, for my par
ents were greatly given to the old
fashioned virtue of hospitality. The
humblest wayfarer coming in at the
porch was entertained kindly and
hidden Godspeed, as well as the
guest whose elegant carriage and
span drove round to the front door
on the southern side.


1t was a summer day, and warm,
bright and beautiful. The morning
promised a lovely day. Just after
our early breakfast a merry party
came riding down the lane in car
riages and on horseback, 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 gold-fields, and had brought with
him bag of gold. l knew he had
this, tor had seen him before count
ing some out of it, and putting it in
to another bag.


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


fastened in doors again to see
them wind down the private way
that led through our extensive
grounds, and half wished l were old
enough to go with them. Hearing
a slight noise, l turned and saw a
stranger, a figure not unusual, a
man with a bundle on a stick.


He was leaning on the stone wall,
and apparently looking after the car
riages. He came forward in a mo-
ment and asked if he might sit down
and rest, and if l would kindly give
HIM something to eat. Of course, 1
said yes, and with light steps soon
had him substantial lunch of bread
and cheese which he came into the
kitchen 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 gaily about their visit, paying
little attention to the stroller, who
was quietly eating. He had laid his
straw hat on the floor, and | saw
that his head was bald on the top,
and the finnish hair brushed up from
behind over it,


He had prominent ears, low fore
head and large mouth, with receed-
ing chin where grew a stubbly beard
of grizzly black, like his halr. ! did
not know why l observed all this, OF
his eyes, small and hid under gray
ish brows that seemed to glance fur
lively about him; when no one ap-
peared to be looking. His voice
was harsh and croakling, 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 repuls.
iveness with my fathers noble and
dignifed 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 through
the dining-room and out of the great
hall where he fingered for a moment
or two. He had thanked: me clvily
enough for his breakfast, but the
girls laughed and nodded as he wen
out, and said they should think l had
picked up a raven.


All that long, bright day was
busy and happy In the flower-gar-
den, or sewing, or reading, and when
the girls lett, looking very cheerful
at their half holiday, l wished them
a merry time, and told them not to
hasten home, for Thomas should
come for them. 1 expected my faith
er and mother soon after eight
o'clock, and l told Thomas that he
might 60 about that time, as they
would soon be home, and it looked
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:


"Miss Ann, l think you had better
fasten the doors, as you may be all
alone for a short time if 60 SO soon.
Would you not rather that / should
wait till your father comes?"


"Oh, no Thomas l don't mind be-
ing alone in the least, and you ought
to 60, lest it should rain hard, for it
is more than two miles to ride, and
they may not wish to leave in a
minute. expect father and mother
every moment. Don't wait.


So Thomas left, and the wagon
ratified merrily up the lane. | bolt
ed the doors, because he had told
me to, for otherwise l would not have
thought of it. 1t grew dark rapidly,
and the thunder began to peal heav-
;Iy xyb;Io tho wind rosp and the