The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-12-06

In the Carhusian Convent. Of which
| was prior, said Father A. TO me one
evening, there lived monk of meIan-
choly humor and gloomy disposition, who
was known tO be somnambulis,. Some
! times he would come ont of his cell, when
the fit was upon him. and go IN again
alone and sometimes he would wander
away and require to be conducted home.
Medical advice being obtained, some re-
medes were administered and his relapse
becoming Of less frequent occurrence, pco-
pie no longer thought Of him. One eve
ming that | sat up rather later than usual,
was busy at my desk examining some
papers, when heard the door Of my
chamber open, from which the key was
never Withdrawn, and in a moment this
monk entered in state of absolute Som-
nambulism. His eyes were open, but
fixed he had nothing on but the tunic
in which he had gone to bed, and he held
in his hand long bladed knife. Know
ing where my bed stoed, he went straight
to it, and seemed to ascertain, by feeling
with his hand, whether actually was
there. Then three several times he
struck with such force that, after piercing
the blankets, then penetrated very deeply
into the mattress or rather mat, which |
used instead. When he passed before
me, his features were contracted and his
brow knit but when he had done the
deed, he turned on his heel, and noticed
that his features were relaxed, and had an
air of satisfaction dil'used over them.
The light of two lamps which were stan
ding on my desk, made no impression on
his eyes, and he wen, back again as he
came, opening carefully and shutting the
two doors which led into my cell and in
little time assured myself that he had
gone directly and quietly to his apartment.
The state into which this terrible appari-
ton threw me-, continued Father A.,
'mav by conceived. | shuddered with
horror at the danger that had escaped,
and offered up my thanks to heaven hut
such was my state Of excitement, that
could not close an eye during the remain
der of The night. On the following morn
ing sent for the somnambulisl, and in a
tone of seeming Indifference, inquired
what had been the subject of his last
last nights dream. This question rather
disconnected him. Father said be, Il
dreamed so strange a dream, tina. | feel
some reluctance to tell you; it is perhaps
the work of the devil, and - COM
mand you to tell it, said |. Dreams are
always involuntary--and merely deln-
sive, Speak out the truth Father
then said he, scarcely had | laid myself
down, when dreamed that you had XIX
ed my mother, and that her bloody
ghost appeared TO me, crying out for ven
geance. This so transported me with
fury, that ran like a mailman into your
cell, and, finding You in bed, stabbed you
there. Shortly afterwards | awoke, per-
spring at every pore, with a perfect hor-
ror OF my wickcdn9ss, and blessing God
that so great crime had not been com
mited.' More has been committed than
you think said | in quiet and serious
manner Then related to him what had
happened, and showed him the marAs of
the blows which he intended for me; at
the sight of which he threw himself at my
feet, suh'used with tears. bitterly lamen-
ting the involuntary misfortune that had
so nearly taken place, and impored me
to innct such penance as might think
suitable for the OCCASION. No, no, l. x-
claimed, | will not punish you for an in
voluntary deed but hereafter your aiten-
dance at the night service shall be dlspen
sed with aud | warn YOU that your cell
shall be locked on the outside after the
evening meal, and shall only be opened
to let you on, to the family mass at the
dawn Of day. Oh Nt