Page:Lippincotts Monthly Magazine-01.pdf/41

Rh 38

T115 OLD SLA TE-ROOF HOUSE.

arches of brick masonry supported the square turrets or bastions.” “ Those deep cellars,” said Mistress

Penn, H have been famous places for the storage of William’s old wine. Their situation, the temperature, and the pecu liar characteristics of the soil, seem to mellow whatever is put in these solid vaults.” “ This was thoroughly proved by that

[JANUARY

young man of twenty-ﬁve_possessing his ardent temperament_could remain

wholly insensible to the charms of Le

scarcely died away, when Samuel Car penter arose with the intention of bid ding good night. Mistress Penn, how ever, hastened to say, with earnestness:

titia Penn, who, although scarcely eigh teen, added to the gay disposition and romantic feelings of an enthusiastic girl the rounded outlines and perfect devel opment of a beautifully matured woman. It is at least safe to say that the barriers which the restraints of their common religion reared between them served only to heighten their mutual attraction, and imparted a tender sentiment to the conventionalities of their everyday life. But while we are speculating the party have retraced their steps, and, crossing the main hall, have entered a room which has more the appearance of being con stantly used. It is, in fact, the one in which Governor Penn is accustomed to receive his business visitors. A door towards the west leads into James Lo gan’s little library, which is furnished

“I wish our friend to remain, dear Vil

like VVilliam }’enn’s sanctum, with the

liam, for a few moments, to see how comfortably we are settled in the house thou hast rented from him.” Governor Penn thereupon took up a candle, and, crossing the apartment,

addition of some costly-looking folios, and a number of paper-racks ﬁlled with

which I have lately drank at thy table, Hannah.” Just at this point of the conversation the high standard clock in the hall began to strike in a slow, deliberative way, with

those premonitory rumbles which seem like nothing except the preparatory f-i-z-z! of an old-fashioned matchlock. The

echo of the last stroke of nine had

opened a door and descended a single step, thus bringing into view a cozy room, surrounded with shelves well ﬁlled with books; a writing-table stood near the window, with a comfortable arm-chair

beside it. “ This turret-chamber is father’s study, whither he retires to meditate,” said Tishe; “ on the other side of the house James Logan hath a similar place, where thou wilt ﬁnd many rare profane authors, both Latin and Greek.” While speak ing, she‘ looked at the young gentleman, and as their eyes met in lively commu nion, a faint blush arose in Letitia’s round cheek, and Logan’s fair face was more ﬂorid than ever. “ They are in love!” cries the reader. I have not said that, although I am bound to confess it

would not be strange if the young lady did fancy so singularly attractive a person as James Logan, with his matured air, his cultivated mind, his ﬁne ﬁgure, and,

last but not least, his sympathetic, dark

blue eye.

Nor is it probable that 3.

government documents and the oﬁicial correspondence with which, as secretary of the province, Logan was personally charged. Without entering. the party glanced at these details, and then turned

towards a door on the east side of the larger room, which brought them once more into the vestibule near the dining

room.

Thence they ascended, by the

broad oaken staircase, with its carved black walnut pillars. to the second story. The arrangement of this ﬂoor was differ ent from that of the one below, the num

ber of the rooms being greater. The hangings and coverings also were of camlet, or striped linen_the chintz of the present day. The last chamber they entered was tenanted by Master John Penn, and as they held the light above his cradle, the lovely babe opened his bright eyes and cooed and crowed with delight. As they passed to the third story, Mistress Penn spoke approvingly of the large dormer windows, which she said gave an abundance of light in the day time. The spacious rooms on this upper ﬂoor were not to be despised, for they