Year: 1876




or do perilous deeds of various kinds,
which challenges L never refused Often
they set out to play tricks on me, but it
usually happened they fell into their
own traps, while performed my part in
safety.


Very possibly the consciousness that
they were about to dupe me gave me
more courage than I would otherwise
have had, for any unusual noise or ap-
pearance would be attributed to one or
another coming to frighten me. But,
night or day, used to go straight up to
and touch whatever seemed fearful. and
finding the object of doubt resolve itself
into very simple elements, acquired an
ease which stood me in stead in times of
real danger.


We lived in large old house built of
English oak, and bearing its nearly two
centuries very lightly. 1t opened 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 call
ed 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 garret, whose
ample space was broken only by the
great chimney in the centre.


We had gay and lively house, and
were used to great deal of company
and visitors, for my parents were greatly
given to the old fashioned virtue of hos
pitality. The hunblest wayfarer coming
in at our porch was entertained kindly
and babe God speed, as well as the guest
whose elegant carriage and span drove
round to the front door on the southern
side.


am not going now to tell you of my
handsome gentle parents, or my broth
ers and sisters-only about myself.
There were a great many of us when we
were all at home, especially in the win
ter holidays. but at times we were near
ly all away. Boarding schools, acade-
mics, trayeling-all claimed US at vari-
Gus times. Yet it was rare indeed that
one was ever at home alone. It so hap
pened, however, and to me.


It was a summer day, and warm,
bright and beautiful. The morning
promised a lovely day. just after our
early breakfast, merry party came rid
ing down the lane, in carriages and on
horseback, and calling joyously for my
pleasure trip. They were accustomed
to this mode of impromptu festivity, and
gayly answered that they would soon be
ready. It was only the day before that
my father had returned from the Aus
tralian 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.


Fathers favorite black horse, whose coat
looked like lustrous velvet, and who
stepped SO proudly, was paving the
ground impatiently as he appeared He
handed in my beautiful mother, and I
stood looking on with childish pleasure
at her beauty and rich dress that so be-
came her. My father suddenly turned
to me and said, taking his key to his
iron bound box:


''Run, Ann, and get me the little bag
you saw me put away last night"
I Was proud to be so trusted; but when
I quickly returned With it, he was al-
ready in the chaise and part away to the
gate. He looked aud said


mo matter now, Ann you may put
it back again, for we are going another
road, and l will pay Harris tomorrow
Take care of the key, my dear, and
goodbye"


Goodbye, and good time to you, :"
laughingly replied, and ran back to
| put the treasure In safety.


hastened outdoors again to see them
wind down the private way that led
through our extensive grounds. and half
wished I were old enough to go with
| them. Hearing q slight noise, turned
| and saw a stranger, figure not unusual,
a man with bundle hung on stick.
: He was leaning on the stone wall, and
apparently looking at the carriages. He
came forward in moment, and asked
if he might sit down and rest, and if I
would kindly give him something to eat.
OF course 1 said yes, and with light steps
soon had him a 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 tc tea and to
spend the evening. They talked gayly
about their visit, paying little attention
to the stroller, who was quietly eating.
He had laid his straw hat on the floor,
and I saw thai his head was bald on the
top, and the thinnish hair brushed up
from behind over it.


He had prominent ears, low forehead
and large mouth, with receding chin,
where grew stubby beard, of grizzly
black, like his hair. did not know why
I observed all this, or his eyes, small
and hid under grayish brows, that seem
ed to glance furtively about him when
no one appeared to be looking. His
voice was harsh and croaking, and had
| ,to,tIol mo xr1,a,, ba firSf a5.1r aSSad mo


We were used to strollers of all kinds,