Northern star, and Warren and Bristol gazette. [volume] (Warren [R.I.]) 1826-1830, 1826-03-18

/ and the same stiffness reigned within as
without. save the gentle and scarcely au-
dibls breathing Of the two sleeping in
nocenls, and the sounds which had ar
rested their attention and almost their
breath at the same time. These pro-
cccded from the Chamber directly over
their hesds--tbe chamber where the
1.-TWO Oldest children Of the family we're
accustomed to sleep. and whittier they
were on the point ofretiring to bed
The sound, were inhuman, unearthly.
"a heavy, irregular tread. as 0firon feet,
a iarring ofthe chamber door 4; broken,
llaboured, hollow, sobbing sounds Of
voice, if voice it could be called these
united almost froxe the current of blood
in the veins Of the listeners below -
4" Father" said the eldest child, what
is it?' This appeal went to the heart
of the worthy man. He ielt that he
must be calm and collected. but his re-
ply showed thas he was any thing else.
my child, it is only the wind rafting
the door Of your chamber Her cham
Der = sad the mother. and took the
child in her arms, and drew her chair
close to the side Other husband. Their
lis no wind, father. and wish that man
was out OF my chamber
For moL"nt all was silent above,
|and equally silent below. Then the
heavy tread was renewed, the j.rring
of the door Recommended. and the
same inexplicatle, sobbing sound or
groan was again heard. What must
we do said the terrified mother aud
wife to her husband. The maid gazed
in ,tupid silence on her master, while
she seemed to seek for safety by press.
ing closer TO her bosom the second child
whose fear had driven her to take re-
fuge in the arms Of one who had often
afforded her protection in dangers bet
ter understood aud more detiuitc, though
not half so appalling. Lucy said the
hesitating man to the maid, go and ':all
neighbour Cheever, ask him to come
as quick US possible IL don't know
the way-l mean he ant at home-'tis
dreadful cold night-he must be fast
a.Ieep-and O! that terrible dog OF
theirs, dare not go near the house.
3. must then 20 myself Hark ! said
the wife, did you hear that noise ?
8 What noise 2 why something like
the falling ofa' Here longer groan
than they had yet heard. silenced them
all again. The chattering of the maids
teeth was plainly perceptiblc, and the
child in her lap burst out into a loud
wailinc. The maid WAS entirely over
come, and sighed and mo.'ned deeply
but the child's mother seemed to be in
spired with new courage and fortitudr.
She took her daughter from the maid,
and placed both the children in the arms
of their father. { will CO. said she,
i to Deacon Cheeyer's and callthe good
man to advise and aid us ); and Lucy,
you must 90 with me-. Lucy begin
ming to feel that she should be as safe
out of the house as in, consented. AS
they approached the door, the impris-
oned spirit above, for il could be Moth
ing else, seemed striving for enlarge
ment. The tread was more thick, the
door shovk drcadfully, and the indis-
cribable groaning was louder than US
ual. They shrunk back an instant. but
they rushed forward again and in
few moments they stood by the bed
side Of Deacon Cheever. No Deacon
Cheever was there his affrighted wife
sprang up in the bed and uttered one
scream, before she recognized her
; neighbours. Out of breath, they half
told their story, fed back, and left the
good woman in any thing but an easy
state Of mind. Husband wnat shall
we do ? What is to become Of these
dear little children p Said the terrified
woman as she again entered the house.
Is the Deacon coming He is not
at home.' Take care Of these chill
dren.' said her husband ~ will 60 for
Mr.. Snobks, the schoolmaster. He is
good man and will help US No!
, exclaimed both the wcmen and fed
from the house, and we're in short
time in Mr.. Snooks' study; for he WAS
vet up. Mr.. Snooks was never known
, before, or after, to rise from his chair
so quick. When he stood erect, he
was good six feet four inches, and be
, stood erect now. With eyes and ears
, open. but with compressed mouth, he
listened to their broken story. Mr..
, Tobias Snooks uttered not word, sat
is6cd, no douSt, that more could be
I learned in five minutes by reconnoiter-
ing the enemy, than by an hours de-
scrivtion. He hastily drew up his blue
+ stockings over his buckskin breeches,