Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1839-04-25

10 dluerent paris oil the house, had, on high
days and holydays, been used as an anti-cham-
Der. There were no old pictures--no Gothic
(urniture-no tapestry--to predspose the i'm
aginaiion to superstiious feelings, or to foster
in the mind melancholy forBodings
"The windows we're sashed--fire-place good.
but neither Gothic nor over.lerge-and the
room itself, though Of usual dimensions, had
disappearance OF antiquity, unaccompanied by
any thing sombre. We had been dancing, and
| went 10 bed IN high spirits 1t was between
Two and three in the morning, when awokeI
with start, and saw distinctly female figure
passing through my room. inquired, with
out fear, who was there. There was no an
swG.R The figure proceeded slowly EDWARDS,
and disappeared at the door. 1t struck me as
being singular; but knowing the house to be
filled with company, and that the grlter part
were strangers 10 the endless labarynth Of stair
case and anti room which overrun the man
sion, concluded some needless gust had mista.
ken my chamber--or that one OF the servants,
forgetting the circumstances OF its being inhab-
tied, had literally put it TO its old use--a pas
sage-room. At all events, thought |, it will be
cleared up at breakfast; and without feeling
any alarm, or attaching any importance TO the
incident, struck the hour by my watch and
fell asleep The next morning was some
what startled by finding both the doors locked
on the inside, and by recollecting with what
care had turned the key on the preceding eve.
ming. The breaklas-beIl, however, disturbed
the train Of my nominations. hurried hasti-
ly down stairs, and thought no more on the
subject. In the course of conversation, my
kind hostess, inquired how had slept! Very
soundIy,' said |, except that | was rather sur
prised by some one who, no doubt, by mistake,
passed through my room at two this morning
AIRS Mannering looked earnestly al me--seem-
ed on the point OF asking the question-check-
ed herself, and turned away.
"The next night | went to bed earlier, and,
at nearly the same hour, the figure Appeared
But there was no doubt NOW upon my mind
1t was spirit! On this occasion saw the
face. Its pale CONFERENCE.-The large, melan-
choly, black eyes--its step noiseless, as it gil
ded over the oaken floor, gave me a sensation
that can never forget. Terrified as | was,
fixed my eyes on it. 1t stood before mc--then
slowly receded when it reached the middle oil
the room, stopped-and while | looked at it,,
vanished INTO air. own it affected me strange
ly. Sleep for the remainder OF the night was
impossible. And though endeavored 10 forti-
fly my mind, by recollectng all had heard
and read against the theory--to persuade my
self that it was illusion, and that should see
no more Of i'll half determined 10 conclude
my visit at once, or at all events, TO change my
room Immediately. Morning camc-bright
sunny morning--and the race-ball of the NOR
row, and the dread ofthe ridcule which would
follow my determination, overpowered my res
olution. was silent, and--l stayed.
"The third night came. | confess, as the
evening drew in, shuddered at the idea Of 60
ing to bed made eXcuses--l talked over the
events of the night played--l SUNG frit-
tered away minute after minute--and so well
did my stratagem succeed, that two, the dread
ed hour, was past long ere entered my room.
admit that had retired TO rest, on the FIRST
evening Of my visit to Ashly, with the impress
sions that, in spite Of myself, forced themselves
upon me on this imagination might then have
claimed part i'll what | witnessed But the
feelings were wholly distinct. On the first
night, had seen nothing-knew nothing. On
this, was steeing my mind against the worst.
cater determined and minute investigation
of the room--atter thorough examination OF
every close! and corner--alter barring and boil
ting each door with beating heart-a woman's
fears (shall confess it) stole over me; and
hastily hinging myself on the bed, mufiied up
my face entirely ia the clothes After lying in
this manner for two honrs in state OF agony
that battles all description, venlured TO cast a
hurried glance round the room. 1t must be,
thought |, near day break Ii was SO; but by
my side stood tho fgure-her form bent over
me, so that my slightest motion would have dis
composed it: looked again 10 CONVINCE my
sell that it was no deception, and--have no re-
collection OF any thing further.
"When came TO myself ii was nearly noon.
The servants, and indeed Mrs. Mannering her
self, had repeatedly knocked at the door; but
receiving no answer, were unwilling TO disturb
me. Ny kind hostess was alone al the break
fast room when entered, and was preparing to
rally me on my early hours, she inquired if /
was we'll. Not particularly said ialntly );
'and if you will allow me, | will return home
this morning.
She looked at me in silence for some mo-
ments, and then said with cmphasls-'Have
you any particular reason? Nay, | am sure
you have she continued, as her keen penetra'
ting eye detected an involuntary trcmor. 4
have no conceaments,' was the reply; and i'm
mediatcly detailed the whole transaction. She
heard me grayely, without interruption, or ex-
pressing any surprise. q am grleved beyond
measure, my dear young friend, for the event +:
certuinly have heard strange and unaccouni-
able stories about that room; but always trea-