The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1836-02-16
THE HERALD-NEw YORK.
GHOST OF MY UNCLE.

manner came into the room with the will which it
seems they had departed in search of the moment the
testator had expired. L was good deal shocked at
the fnvOliIy they manifested, aud could not help
proving Them though in mild and gentle manner for
the little respect they paid to the deceased why We
ken, said one, he told read the will amaist
soon as he died." -Ay" cried another % and sac in
conformity wi his command, went straight up the
and Tummaged er his auld kist Till found H."
Mind your am concerns, guide man, and we'll mind
ours reOined third rather grufiy; that my well
meant adnenti0Rs had better effect than TO cause
10 be more disliked by the party; for could per-
seIve before this that they looked in the light Of
anwelcOme intruder.
The will was read, which all paid the greatest at
reniOD mute anxiety and deep interest every
cOuntenance their aspects were, however, Instantly
changed into those of intense disappointment and
vexaton hearing that my uncle had made stranger,
whom none Of Us knew, the heir OF all his property,
real and personal. For my part this circumstance did
not affect the ia the least had not had any expecta
SIOn oil inening the smallest portion; therefore could
not feel disappointed. Bat with the Others it diff
ferent; they had clung to him like leeches or
like the ivy to the old ruin, and with about much
Affection the two before mentioned things have for
1he object TO which they closely adhere. A most
appalling aud Disgusting took place among
the disappointed legacy hunters. They abused the
old man IN the mast shocking terms they taxed him
WIN injustice and villany, and proceeded call
down Tnprecatons upon his lifeless corpse. | shud-
drred at the conduct of the unprincipalsd villains
trembed al the iniquity ofmen who could at time the
most solemn and impressive to human being, act in
manner sufiC lent 10 call down upon them immediate
and divine vengeance. L was chilled with horror |
almost expected every moment TO the feless
Of my uncle start from the bed which law take
Vengeance the audaeious wretChes. Once indeed,
actually thought saw his bps culver with rage-hs
eyebrows knit tegetheT-and all the muscles of his
coGntenance contract into dreadful frown. j shud-
dered at the sight aad withdrew my gaze.
Al length they went into the kitchen, and once
more let alone in the chamber Of DEATH went the
bedside and the scene had just witnessed operated
- forclbly on my feelings that burst into tears and
uttered aloud INV lamentations eless relative.
When this ebulhtion had somewhat subsidized, l began
TOrenect little more where was, and sort Of midty
cane creeping There is an undefinable APP
prehenson which we feel while in company
with the dead We imagine in spite of the efforts of
reason, that the departed spirit is lowering near its
Aornaer tenement ltbeing quite dark, and having
useSe feelings IN strong degree IL is no wonder that
rather preferred the company Of the wreches in the
kitchen than to remain long where was.
accordingly proceeded thither where found them
all ohronslng round large table, which were placed
the fragments of the dinner and plenty oflquor.
minded them OF our promise to place my uncles old
two armed chair the head Of the table, as be had
qHested, which they had neglected to do, aud which
fAey now strenuOasy opposed my doing. was how
ever, TesOlueiy determined to have it done, and
lsngth succeeded. then retired the re-side where
sat- without taking part in the conversation in
any thing that passed during the whole evening.
shalt pass over the several succeeding hours the whole
oil which they SAT drinking till they all in greater
Or less degree intoxicated, and nerally brawling,
vranglng, and swearing in a loud and bostcrous
The night became stormy as il advanced. The
Wisd arose, and at intervals moaned, sighed, and
UhIstied shrly without, reared in the wide chimney,
and as II froasly bent the trees in which the house
was embOsomed made sound similar to the dashng
of the waves on the shore of the The rain fell
IN toHeats and the large drops battered against the
sTindO~ with eeaseless and melancholy cadence.
u was now getting nigh the witchng time of night"
and saw signs of the jewellers quitting the table.
On the contrary they grew loud and boisterous.
n obedience to their imperiOus commands, evident
ly with the greatest reluctance Peggy had kept replen-
ishag the exhausted vessels with liquor and their
demands increased IN proportion 10 the reluctance with
which they satisfied. At length, however,
eeivIng an intimafOn from that would interpose,
she absolutely refused to draw any liquor for
them, telling them thew had plenty and that il
time TO retire to bed The scene that ensued
such as IS impossible for describe maddened
and infamed with rage being the refused the wretch
Is began TO thIOw the furniture up and down the house.
break the glasses and Jugs and to abuse the servaaf
from whom they attempted to wrest the key of the
cellar, yelling out al the time the most hOrrd
Oaths and imprecations.
The table was shortly OVERSEE, and the lights put
an the seattle, and IN few moments we should in all
probability, have had blood she'd as felt myself reused
70 pitch of fury and advancing with the large
heavy headed hrepOkeF the assistance Of the servant
Who was loudly sbriekng for help; just then the old
leek struck twelve rapid strokes and the bell had not
ceased 10 vibrae, when heard three heavy knocks
as II given BY maet upon the WALL which separated
the ktclr from the parlour where uncle law
There appeared TO be something supernatural in this
The whole house seemed TO shake its foundation.
deep silence ensued. | stood STILL The wrerches
instantly became sOher We all gazed earnestly and
wildly AZ the place from whence the noise proceeded.
Scarce had recovered from the shock hen we were
again thunder struck with noise in the paror;
unlike any sound that had ever heard before. IL
seemed II all the furniture in the room was violently