The Sterley’s of Oakland Park by SAREJESS (thriller book recommendations txt) 📕

a pack of playing cards which he begun to play patents with, while the minter indulge himself in reading from Foxes book of Martyrs for it had long been the most esteemed gentleman’s pursuit to read from such books on the lives of the saints as to bring himself and indeed his flock to a better understanding of the works of perfection that were amply displayed in the lives of the saints.

As the night grew on the fire began to burn low the men pulled there coats closer for even tho‘ it was an exceptionally warm evening the chamber possessed an air of doom and indeed a chill which was uncommon for that time of year.

“At eleven o’clock when the candles were at there lowest there came a soft sigh from one corner of the room a breeze which upon its breath contained all the putrid air of hell in its most diabolical form. George who had almost slipped into a slumber was awakened by the reverend gentleman tugging at his sleeve.

“The two men watched in fascination as from the corner a mist began to appear at first unclear but thickening as the minutes drew on until from the mists the spectral form of Lord John appeared.

“Rising the reverend gentleman his bible in hand commanded the specter ”to stand fast in the name of the Lord.“ To whom do I have the honor of addressing enquired the minister ”Alas you have me at a disadvantage“ said the specter ”for in life I was Lord John but now I am but a lost soul who died unshriven.“ The specter said as he struggled to break free from the bond under which the words of the minister had placed him ”Pray poor soul what can be done to loosen you from your condition and send you to your rest?“ enquired the Minster.

“I fear that I am lost for all eternity and there is but small hope for peace for me,” replied the spirit. “What then can we do to prevent you from coming again into this the home that you once knew?” asked reverend Thomas.

“The sprinkling of holy water and the anointing of the doorposts of every room in the house will lay the spirits that they cannot come again,” said the unfortunate ghost of the grange.

“Will it bring some measure of peace for you?” asked George, I fear not for I am doomed to places in Hades the pain of which you will not imagine but it will solve the problem of the grange I have no doubt said the Spirit

“Is there naught that we can do for you sir sprit?” asked the minister who had a feeling of great sadness at the plight of the unfortunate specters condition. “There is but one thing that will stop my visits and that is to pray that I have peace over my grave as for the grange cast out all evil in the name of Jesus anoint the posts and all evil will flee” said the specter.

“Pray for me no more” for there is naught that will redeem me from my eternal damnation said the sprit as he began to fade.

Directly the reverend minister took up a vial of olive oil and cast it into the fading mist into which the specter was dissolving. Hurriedly he began to sprinkle holy water and anoint the doors posts of the room with oil in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost and amen and amen. There after he proceeded with George lighting the way with a dark lantern to every room and chamber in the grange anointing like wise as before described the posts. When they had finished the sun was rising it was five o’clock in the morning before there work was done.

Returning to the dinning room George poured for them a glass of pour and considered what had passed in the night. “For a moment he considered telling all to Lydia and Lady Ann but he dismissed this as he knew that it would add substance to there fear thus swearing the reverend gentleman to secrecy he concluded that should they be asked they would say that nothing of significance passed and they had slept well in the chamber.


Chapter Nine


September 1st 1814
Sir Benjamin Bathurst,
Foreign office
London
To Sir Thomas Sterley
Oakland Park
Surry

My dear Sir Thomas,
Please be advised that there now exists a position of clerkship to Sir Charles Somerset at the Cape of Good Hope.
The financial returns on this commission is five hundred pounds annually

Of significance I am aware that such a post although not exactly suited is the best I can provide at this time. I am lead to understand that such a post can inevitably lead to rapid advancement to more suited posts as time and season progress.
Should you wish for this post to be reserved for your son Thomas, please reply in the affirmative by return of post

Your obedient servant
B Bathurst Esquire


September 5th 1814
Sir Thomas Sterley
Oakland Park
Surry
To Sir Benjamin Bathurst
Foreign Office
London

Dear Sir Benjamin,
In reply to yours of the first instant, I would be exceeding glad should it be in your power to hold the position of Clerkship at the Cape of Good Hope for my son.

We are very glad for the opportunity provided and I am sure that Tom will do his utmost to present the best possible outcome in the post.

If I might prevail upon you for one more favor I would be exceeding glad if you could find the chance to forward to me any details you might have at your disposal that might be of revenant’s to life in the colony in preparation of Tom going to the same.
Your humble servant

Thomas Sterley.


September 13th 1814
Sir Benjamin Bathurst,
Foreign office
London
To Sir Thomas Sterley
Oakland Park
Surry

Sir,
I would beg to inform you that as a matter of urgency that your son make himself available for an interview at the foreign office at his earlier convince. It is the custom of his Lordship to have one of his officers newly returned from the colony interview all prospective candidates for positions in the government at the Cape before leaving. If I might prevail upon you to have you, r son Thomas call on me Tuesday next at ten o’clock in the morning. I will make every attempt to present young Tom to the officer in question.

The object of the interview I believe is to rule out any unworthy candidates thus I have no fear that young Tom will. In a very short time, find a place in his Lordships household at Cape Town.

I remain

Your obedient servant
B Bathurst Esquire


September 17th 1814
Sir Thomas Sterley
Oakland Park
Surry
To Sir Benjamin Bathurst
Foreign Office
London

Dear Sir Benjamin,
Yours of the thirteenth instant, I am delighted to inform you that Tom and I will be in London on the date specified. If I might prevail upon you to afford me the opportunity of calling on you on the Monday morning prior to the day of the interview. I have some thing of importance that I wish to impart to you. Upon that occasion, I furthermore give you my thanks for all your endeavors upon the behalf of my son in the procurement of the post at Cape Town

Your humble servant
Thomas Sterley
Oakland Park
Surry

It was a fine summer morning when Sir Thomas bethought himself of finally informing young Tom of the results of his efforts on his part to secure him a commission in the service of the crown the conversation did not go well with tom doing most of the listening while the young man listened with growing worry upon his countenance

“Tom I would have you ready to depart with me for London the day after tomorrow,” said Sir Thomas “I fear that the girls will have to fend for themselves while we are away,” said Tom in an effort to find some way of averting the inevitable
“Your Mamma will be back in a few days so there is no occasion to be alarmed,” said Sir Thomas

“Pray papa what is of such importance that we have to leave Oakland’s in such haste? Asked Tom ”“A matter of great importance and advancement my boy for I have secured an interview for you with a certain officer of the colonial service. I believe it will be a great step forward in the right direction for you my lad. As it is past time that you should be thinking of a career of sorts,” said Sir Thomas. “Furthermore it is of the utmost importance that you begin to take an active interest in the advancement of the family’s fortune. I see no better way of doing this then serving old England in any capacity which might present itself, this I believe is a marvelous occasion to do so,” said Sir Thomas.

“This news was greeted with stunned silence for Tom had not even begun to consider a career for he had always assumed that as the elder son he would follow in his father’s footsteps and become master of Oakland Park. Now to be cruelly disillusioned of this hope was not to be considered lightly for it made him weak at the knees to consider a career where he might actually have to labor at some task.

Moreover, what of the relationship that he had begun with his dear cousin Arabella for had this not been the prime objective in getting his Mamma to invite her to