Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1842-06-22

The gentleman snatched up lamp, and
went forth into the next chamber. 1t was emp
ty! but still the footsteps sounded loudly as
those Of person waiting in angry impaiience.
Bewildered and aghast, the friend returned
10 the bed side of the wrs,ch and could not
find utlerance to tell the nurse what had been
the result of his examination of The adjoining
room.
For the love of Heaven" exclaimed the wo-
man, speak! tell me what you have seen in the
next chamber Who is there! Why do you
look so pale? What has made you dumb'----
Hark!---the noise Of the footsteps grows louder
and louder"
90! how wish had never entered this ac-
cursed house, this house which is abhorred by
God and man."
Meanwhile, the sound of the horrld footsteps
grew not only louder but quicker and more I'M
patient.
The scene of their tramping was, after time,
changed. They approached the sick mans
room, and were heard, plainly heard--close by
the bed side of the dying wretch, whose nurse
and friend stared with speechless terror upon
the floor, which sounded and shook as the IN
visible footballs passed over it.
"Something is here something terrible--ln
this very room, and close TO US, though we can
no, see il" whispered the gentleman in painting
accents to his companion. "Go up siairs-and
call the servants--and let all in the house as
semble here"
81 dare not move" exclaimed the trembling
woman. "My bran--my bran!-I am faint
shall go mad!---Let us fly from this place.
the fend is here. Help! help! in the name Of
the Almighty"
"Be composed, beseech you" said the gen.
leman in a roice, scarcely audible. "Recall
your scattered senses too should be scared
10 death did not with a strong effort keep down
the mad throbbngs that torment me. Recol-
ect our duty. We are christians and must not
abandon the expiring man.---God will protect
US MercifnI Heaven!" he continued, with
frenzied glance into :he shadowy Tecesses OF
the chamber "Listen. the noise is stronger than
ever---lhose iron foo,sleps!--and still we can
not discern the cause Go and bring some COM
panions---some human faces---our own are
transformed"
The nurse thus adiured, left the demon
haunted apartment with vlsage white as snow;
and the benevolent friend, whose spirits had
been subdued by long watching in the chamber
of death, and by Witnessing the sick mans ag-
ony and remorse, become, now that he was left
alone, wild and frantic. Assuming courage
from the very intensity of fear, he shrieked out
in voice which scarcely sounded like his own,
What art thou, execrable thing! that comest at
this dead hour?---Speak if thou canst, show
thyself if thou darest!"
These cries reused the dying man from the
miserable slumber into which he had fallen.---
He opened his CLASSY eyes--gasped for utter
ance, and seemed as though he would have
prayed in mortal anguish, but the words died
in his throat. His lips quvcred and seemed
parched, as if by fire; they stood apart and his
clenthed teeth grinned horribly. 1t was evil
de!!t that he heard the footsteps; for an agony
fea frul TO behold came over him. He rose In
his bed---heId out his arms, as if 10 keep off the
approach OF some hateful thing; and having sal
lhus for few moments, fell back and with q
dismal groan EXPIRED