Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-11-15

lsse clock struck or rather tolled out tweIye-ani
as the last stroke OF the bell aoated on the breeze
the hsure gradually raised Ws head, and fixed upor
"e pair OF hefro'e gIarins eyes that turned my
pOsite made me turn to look, aud the two PORTRAITS
lady, and an officer in blue uniform, appeared tS
he leaning out OF their flames and watehin no me in
tently. The figure then hastily pass cd ont of IN,
room, uttenng a screaming note, wilder than III,
morning wind. This was answered seemingly (,ou
the cellars by most hdeous long drawn how /
followed 10y the rafting oi locks, bolts, and chains
and confusion OF strange unearthly sound.
sprans up and seized my pistols There was a
dead silence. | could distinctly hear a whispering
not only on the siars but in the closets the door,
OF which were slowly pushed open, and more than
one pair OF eyes flashed upon me from the dark: IN
an instant the door OF the room ere ked slowly nd
behed two or three parchment faces with h.ry
eyes, gazing at me. made now a desperate effort.
and evelng a pistol either way, uttered a fierce
menace, threatening to hre, ft1ey advanced. THIS
threat was answered 10y queer Of titterng and
snuttng; IN desperation pulled the triggers. IN.
result vas double flash IN the PAN which over
spread the room like sheet of blue lightning Then
broke forth laugh-,en times more horrible than
the laughter OF a herd of hyenas-I could endure
no longer, and sank into the chair the pistols drnn
ping from my hands.
There was dead pause, and heard something
IKE The mewins OF a cat, ye. seemed 1t like the
voice ~ enid IN distress: and my attention was
attracted by the appearance Off black skeleton oT
n cat, who was setting up its back crown and
splitting. IL then slowly advanced and prowI.d
round the mr. place, aud sitting down opposite to IN.
nre with ITS back towards me; tLrned Us head ,pd
It's fearful green eyes me: mine. next heanj The
whelpins OF cur, and the distant, hollow Wi,
Ike bayIng OF i watch dog. The sounds snprn,cs
CO; the dos-chain ratified up stars tried 10 sei,.
my sword but was paralysed. | could Jus, sisnc,
towards the door, whence came a strange shutIliny
sound, aud the next moment saw an ex,r,ord,n,
~ ngurc enter, with large carving knit, ;n M,
manu- ne was dressed IN blue livery, with tags
a to1nu pAnneh-h,sh oony shoulders, and spindle
shanks-he wore a blue Welsh wi.-anj his nos.
which was OF enormous size and hooked was of ,
deep blue also; u was like burning birthstone H.
was followed by skeleton ike figure; also in live.
~ and armed like his fellow. These stood ana
stared NJ me. They were followed bv . 6,nr.
marching INTO the room with an AIR of cop.conrpe.
Tie was not prcposSeSslns: dun v Caring saur,,
eyes with decided cast IN them a small ninrbss
OH OF blue nose, spacious mouth, with tooth ar
TWO exposed, and look Of nge cIfTused oy., .U
tie was wrapped IN blue crossing Gown ana -
large curled blue wig. As he entered al ,pn.,r.d
blue-ihe candles, and the FIRE, whose flames rnreJ
themselves into the likeness of some ehast y mir,
The whole company, for there were NOW man, =
tsuders, seemed covered with blue nouJ. th.,
were the children Of Miide~ and Decly: tbev 49,
ed damp and slippery. The veteran IN the dr.ssiD.
gown advanced 10 the hreside with dignity md .
ooAed al I'VE with whitening Seowl. guessed at
once mat he was, or hsd teen, the master of the
and poiJeness prompted me 10 rise n
moiIoned Inc to be sc~ed, and then took q chair a
little by was al his side, and the stately f,ure of
LADY also stood near Elm-o,her fees ne.T.J o.
ms chair My venerable host then bent fn,yr,,I,
and placing his handS upon his knees looked src,nI
IN my face and SAID, IN sepuIchural tones "Pr,y
SIR d,d you ever hear ihi. this house is haunted}
! was thuudsrstrucA! What answer Could
make? No; moment was allowed me for 90.
lon, tor instantly iett violent tug al my pict,,
behind, ana the 6rnstoned- nose butter, leernS in
my upiurned face exclaimed, AM, you don't b.
iIeve Ia ghosts" My terror wa. al its be,gb,
heard 10 more; butl sate II saw the knife ,sbins
and felt that, though my head was not Off NV MS
tai was gomez Shouts OF eXullins malice rent n.
AIR" 'N
But here Mr Smith was INTERRUPTED nv , sb,r,
OF exu!uns laughter from one OF his listeners /,
was Mr. O'Bren. "Oh, ho!r screamed tb,t g.r
teman, III be kilt intirey. A mighty in,en,ons
tale you've made of ~ Mr. Smith! And ,ure |
must tell the TRUTH # you hate me for IT, Sur. and
wasn't It the day afer We had the stag-bun, .nd
didn't you get over head and ears in liounr tn,l
You went sleep walking about the bouse al,
n'sht aiIeri sure didn't tie your pigtaiI 10 the
oeII.roPe al the head Of the bed to keep YOU sill
or give US notice OF your rambles-and a nr.,,y
good notice we got, by the powers, for what yviy
the bell ringing and your Draw ling we thought the
house was on me. Pll never forget SEEING vo,
pulling one way and the bell pulling the olbsr~
and al VIC could do, we could not Keep Won sisv
ts' we undid your taiIi 50, faith, 1t was Betty, The
COOK remember, who vhpt out her scissors. ard |
cut the knot. Oh! Oh ochi-and ihaps the ibr,,,
way you lost your pgtaI., Mr. Smith"