The Arm Chair Library No. 79: The Haunted Homestead — page 36: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

My ‘4 i: i i; 54° THK HAUNTED TTOMESTEAD. i ee ons eee ee — _ —_ —— << oe - ro four hours in very pleasant, social in- tercourse, conversing, singing and reading. And, as the clock neared the stroke of twelve, Mr. Howard took a volume of Tennyson, and in an affect- ing manner read his tender and beau- tiful “Requiem of the Dying Year.” All were moved, and as the reader fin- ished, the tears were running down the cheeks of Mathilde, who said: “Oh! I do not know how any one, eyen the most thoughtless, can bear to ‘dance out the old year!’ JI could no more do it than I could dance be- side the deathbed of a dear old friend! But I must not greet the infant New Year with tears,” she exclaimed, and dashing aside the sparkling drops that spangled the roses of her cheeks and turning to her parents, she said: “Dearest father! dearest mother! let me be the first to wish you a Happy New Year, and many, many, ever hap- pier returns of it!” “You make our anniversaries hap- py, best child. Now, tell us truly, what shall be our New Year’s gift to you?” said Mr. Legare, while Mrs: Le- gare silently embraced her daughter. Blushing deeply, Mathilde whis- pered one word to her father, who re- pressed a rising sigh, and asked: “Is this so? Must this be so, my dearest child?” “Yes, father.” “Then am I doubly bound to do what I am about to do. Mr. How- ard!” F og Howard stepped eagerly for- ward. “Mr. Howard, I always settle out- standing debts at the first of tke pressed it, as he answered: “Sir, I believe that for years’ I have possessed the priceless heart of this dear maiden, but her fair hand‘ ] would prefer to owe to her father’s approval and good-will, rather than to . a mere accident.” a ae “Sir, there are no such things as — accidents! J am sixty years old who say it! And as for the rest, sit, ‘her — father’s approval and good-will’ ak ways follow his esteem and respect, — and now goes with his consent! God — bless you! Be true to Mathilde!” “May heaven deal with me as I with | her!” said Frank Howard, earnestly, While this important little family — aside was going on, the other guests were wishing each other a “Happy — New Year” and chatting and laughing — too merrily and noisily to hear what — was there passing. 3 os And now they asked for their eloaks — and hoods, which Rachel Noales and 1 — flew to bring; and in less than half an — hour all the evening visitors had de- — parted, and the returning sound of — their sleigh-bells died away in the dis- — We that were left separated and re- _ tired. When we reached our cham- — ber, Rachel and I locked the door atid — We were sufficienly wearied: out to — go fast asleep, and sleep until late in — the morning, when the loud! knocking of little Jet at our chamber door — aroused us. I jumped up and went — and opened it. ga “De doors do’ stay shet fas’ nuf — now!” exclaimed my little maid, with abroad grin, as she entered. 3 “Aint him a smart gemlan, dou “I really do not know, Jet. ¥ Gey must ask your Miss Mathilde” = = year, said’ Mr. Legare, taking the | eo 1and of Mathilde and placing it in} that of Frank Howard, who gently |: “Law! do she know?”. “Yes, indeed.” | ieee “Den T ax her sure.” \ ee And so my little maid proceeded to large company was expected to dinner, — And it was upon this oecasion: thatthe — This was’ a: New Year's day,