Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-10-21


the dear objects whom he had left there but an
hour before, as he thought, and how was all SO
frghtfuly changed, as in the wild vagares OF an
extravagant dream The poor man rubbed his
forehead, he shut his eyes and opened them again,
to convince himself that he was not mistaken,
and tottered like one who is on the point of
swooning. The noisy jewellers, on perceiving
him, laughed aloud at the pale stranger for COM
ing into public house when he seemed 10 be al
ready intoxicated.
" Good Heavens - all at exclaimed the
landlord; why it is the lost senator =
At this exclamation the guests were seized
with panic, set down their glasses, and stared at
the door, as though they had spectre
The stranger advanced and seated himself at the
end Of one of the benches. Those who occupied
it moved as far from him as they could. The land
lord alone had the courage to go up to him.
i" Mr. Senator cried he, where have you
been For these three years search has been
made for you to no purpose
"Three years p repeated Beerlein, staring at
the landlord.
"This house, continued the other, I" is no
longer yours. Your widow-your wife, ! would
say-sold it to me in the second year, as you did
not come back, and now lives in small town in
the neghborhood."
"And my grandmother" asked Beerlen.
"She died few weeks after your disappear
ance.'
"And my children -
"Dead, too. A disease which made great hav-
oc in our good city carried them off,
| At these answers, the head of the unfortunate
senator dropped lower and lower no tone hor
ror or of grief escaped him; but his whole frame
denoted heartbreaking and unutterable anguish.
He left the room as quietly as he had entered it.
The landlord followed him, stopped him on the
stairs, and asked in cloud and sharp voice, 'But
where have you been all the time, neighbour 20
"Ask me not replied the wretched man (;
g God has been pleased to try inc in wonderful
way. | feel that | shall die"
With these words he fell into deep swoon.-
Care was taken to convey him to his wife, and
one may conceive the fright and Joy of
Catherine when she saw her long lost husband
return. She received him IN her widows weeds,
which she put off Immediately, but only to re-
sumo them in few weeks, and this time with
sufficient occasion, for Mr.. Sebaldus Beerein de-
parted this life, as he had foretold with pious re-
sgnation but before he died he communicated
to the clergyman who attended him the extraor-
binary circumstances of his absence, and this
document is still preserved by the family. 1t is
attested and signed by several witnesses living at
the time, who were well acquainted with the SEN
ator before his disappearance, and who saw him
return, and the seal of the city authorities was af
fixed to it, This narrative was, in substance, as
follows:
On Trinity Sunday, in the year 1749, relates
the senator, between eight and nine in the eve
ming, was sitting quietly, and occupied with the
most pleasing thoughts about my family, which
was collected around me, when distinctly heard
rap at the door. took no notice of it, conclu-
ding that Aplevert, my servant, who close
to the door, would see who was there, or that the
person who had knocked would come in, when he
found his signal disregarded Instead of that,
however, the knocking was thrice repeated, and
very loud. was surprised that not crea
ture in the room seemed to hear it: all quietly
kept their seats. All at once it was as fla voice
said to me, " Rise, take thy hat and cane and go"
| strove to silence this extraordinary inward
Injunction, but was seized with such an anxiety,
oppression, and fainness of heart, if had been
ever so ill., This painful sensation became at last
so unbearabe, that | forced to take up my
hat and stick and 90 to the door.
When was in the passage, there found
man who eyed me with steadfast look, and again
the words sounded in my ears, Come, follow
me-
knew not the man, neither did know what
he wanted with me but felt that from the
moment had crossed the threshold Of my room
he had power over me, and followed him.
We descended the back stairs and went through
Il passage IN the next house, Of the existence of
which had never befoie been aware. 1t was
vaulted, and as far as can recollect, casks and
empty chests were piled against its dark walls
Itbecame lower and lower, so that at last was
obliged to advance STOPPING after my guide, who
went just before me. We came to dark water.
which took to be covered canal the water
looked black and unnatural. A couple of crazy
planks, which served for bridge, swayed much
as was passing over them; but my guide NOV
ed light feather and without the slightest
noise, over this dangerous crossing.
We got at last into the open air, and saw the
starry frma ahoye No The evening rod