that the thunder and lightning, the
rain which drowned the bonfires, but, above all, the blood-shower, were
indications that the mother and son were to be feared and avoided as
much as possible, especially the latter. Others denied that the
devil had anything to do with the shower of blood, or the storm which
extinguished the fires, and stoutly maintained that it was God himself
who had sent them to warn the country against having any intercourse
that could possibly be avoided, with them. Then there was the Black
Spectre that was said to follow her family; and did not every one know
that when it appeared three times to any person, it was a certain proof
that that person's coffin might be purchased? We all know how rapidly
such opinions and colloquies spread, and we need scarcely say that in
the course of a fortnight after the night of the bonfires all these
matters had been discussed over half the barony. Some, in fact, were
for loading him with the heavy burden of his mother's unpopularity;
but others, more generous, were for waiting until the people had an
opportunity of seeing how he might turn out--whether he would follow in
his mother's footsteps, or be guided by the benevolent principles of his
step-father and the rest of the family. Owing to these circumstances,
need we say, that there was an unusual interest, almost an excitement,
felt about him, which nothing could repress. His brother Charles was
as well-beloved and as popular as his father, but, then, he excited no
particular interest, because he was not suspected to possess the Evil
Eye, nor to have any particular connection with the devil.

In this case matters stood, when one day Woodward, having dressed
himself with particular care, ordered his horse, saying that he would
ride over to Beech Grove and pay a visit to the Goodwins. There were
none in the room at the time but Charles and his mother. The former
started, and seemed uneasy at this intelligence; and his mother, having
considered for a time, said: "Charles, I wish to speak to Harry."
Charles took the hint, and left the mother and son to the following
dialogue:--

"Harry," said she, "you spoke very warmly of that cunning serpent who
defrauded you of your inheritance, and all of us out of our right. May
I ask for what purpose you wish to cultivate an intimacy with such a
scheming and dishonest crew as that?"

"Faith, mother, to tell you the truth, you don't detest them, nor feel
the loss of the