The Argosy — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

Tie House of Halliwell. 21 steep, winding hill, dangerous at all times, but especially so for a coach too heavily laden. Mrs. Copp and Hester began to ascend it, in silence. As they neared the public-house, Hester went to the opposite side and looked up at the windows. A light was burning in every room ; but that told her nothing. “Take care, Hester,” called out her aunt. ‘ You'll be run over.” A post-chaise had come from the direction of Seaford, very quickly. The post-boy whipped up his horses and would not let them slacken at the hill. It drew up at the inn door, and Hester recognised it as coming from the Seaford Arms. ‘“‘ Hester,” exclaimed Aunt Copp, “I do believe it is your mamma.” It was; and Alfred. ‘The four entered the house together, and the first person they saw was Mr. Davis. He took Mrs. Halliwell’s hand in silence. Hester glanced at the expression of his face, and her heart sank within her. He led them into the room. Oh, what a scene it was! Major Halliwell was laid on the bed, not dead, but dying. He had never moved since the accident. He never w ould move again. “Is there any chance of his life?” whispered Aunt Copp to Mr. Davis. “None. By morning he will be gone. The skull is fractured.” “"The Lord forgive him!” wailed Aunt Copp, as she sat down on a low stool and burst into tears. ‘‘ And he would not heed me! ” The funeral-was attended by half Seaford. The body had been taken home, after the inquest, and from thence it was buried. Not only was Major Halliwell universally respected, but the circumstances of his death excited wide sympathy ; and thus, the village, unasked, followed his remains. ‘The other passengers were recovering ; even Jones, the coachman, was progressing favourably. The family were together the evening of the funeral, all excepting Jane; she, poor thing, had sailed and knew nothing of the accident. A relative of the Major’s, a Mr. Halliwell from Middlebury, a town situated towards the west of England, who had arrived for the funeral, was with them. “T wish you could manage to remain a few days with us,” Mrs. Halliwell was saying to him, in a tearful voice. ‘‘ There are many matters to attend to, and I am quite ignorant of business.” ‘““T should only be too glad to do so, if it were possible,” replied Mr. Halliwell. ‘ But my late harvest is not in, and I have no one, just now, to overlook in my place. Dean, my manager and bailiff, died, as I told you, only a fortnight ago, and Tom is not old enough to be of any use. The very hour we have got it in, I will return here and render you any service in my power.” ‘There is one thing we seem to have forgotten,” cried Aunt Copp, (looking at her sister-in-law—“ the will. Of course James made one.” “Oh, yes, he made a will,” answered Mrs. Halliwell. ‘I daresay it is in his bureau, with his private papers.” GomiilGcyaooks (EO) im