American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-09-24

| the door, as at last the sound ceased, and all
expected to see it fly open, when after mo-
mcnt's pause, during which the ponderous old
latch was seen to move slightly, the steps were
again heard slowly and softly as BEFORE re-as-
cendng. This seemed to break the spell that
had bound us, and Stanly, snatchng the can
die, sprang towards the door, and throwing it
open, held the light high above his head, and
| looked up. We all crowded to his side, and
strained our eyes also in the same directon,-
but nothing was to be seen,-nothing but the
tall half glazed window, through which the
wind was whistling sadly, and the long, damp,
dark walls, winding away up into the unpierc-
ed gloom. We turned away with pale faces
and gazed on one another in wonder. Truly
vengeance seemed TO have fallen on us for our
malicious attempts or Joe.
at was not only the wind or the rain, -
said Stanly. "See it is coming in through the
open window" The rain had, in truth, fallen
considerably on the stairs, and we endcavored
TO account for it in that way.
eve may as we'll 90 to bed, said Parker,
"there is no use in our staying here, except we
intend to sleep here, too.n
don't know but this hint might have been
listened to, only that an ndlstnct vision of the
woman and child glidcd before our imagnations
at that moment, and instantly settled the ques-
ton. We prepared to ascead-but bow? We
had-as have said before-but one light; now
it pretty generally known with " hat alaCrity
person Will ascend stairway with the cOnvic-
ton in his mind that there is an Undesirable
something behind him, eager to catch him by
the heels. Such, we felt, would be the stua-
ton OF every one of US on the present occasion,
and who we should cntrust the light to, seeing
that he wonld not have the prospect of dark
ness before him to keep him back--that was
the question. 1T length we decided upon Par
ker, and having placed Joe in front Of him,
from belief that there was small danger OF his
going too fast, Stanly and took each an arm
Of our torch bearer, and commenced the ascent.
What with our occasional drawbacks, his oc-
casonal stoppages, and Joe'S manifold starts,
which threatened several times to precipitate
US backward, it was sometime before we reach
ed the top. The toll Of ascending had the effect
of banishlng our terror, and we unconscously
found ourselves again cracking jokes at the ex-
pense OF Joe, when, just as we had managed to
raise something like laugh, n sudden puff of
wind extingGished the light. AS it was Deem
ed impossible to find our room among 50 many
in the dark, Stanly, after good deal of bick
erIng, consented to go down again and relight
the candle Accordingly, down he went, let
ting every foot fall with crash that woke up
echoes innumerable in every direction. Just
then, some imp of misunderstanding else could
have done it-insinuated an idea into my brain
to this effect: As if we had not been frightened
enough already, formed the scheme Of enscons-
ing myself behind some door or angle, and at
the proper moment salying forth on my alarm
ed companions. OFF stole, therefore, with as
much caution as if life itself depended on my
success. | laid my hand against door and
gently pushed it opcn-heavens. | cannot think
of it yet but with terror,-the pressure was re-
turned!-irst gently, then iorcibly, not sudden
ly, as if blown to, but firmly and surely on, till
it touched the Jams. | shall never forget the
sensations Of that moment. My hand dropped
as if stricken by palsy, my heart seemed to
sink within my bosom, my breath stopped, and
felt my very hair bristIing up on my head
With difficulty suppressed shriek--then
glidGd back nOlselessIy to my companions
Stanly came up with the light just as joined
them; lie remarked ny appearance, and hold
ing up the candle to NY lace, exclaimed
"Heavens, Sam! Why what is the matter
with you? have you seen any thlng?"
NO." said |, attempting 10 laugh "Why
do look trightened?"
"Well you do" said he, as he moved Oh
Come let us go in!'
We moved of in body, Stanly leading the
way-what was my horror when saw him 90
directly toward the door which had attempt
cd to enter, and which again stood partially
open He put his hand to it and pushed it
gently, 1t flew back with crash which actu-
ally made me jump foot off the ground.
"Confound it, said he, trimming the candle,
chow the wind blows; there must be some of
the windows open. 1t is we'll we are not left
in the dark again"
Here he once moro put his hand to the door,
but it was immovable, fixed as firmly as if fas-
tened with bars of iron.
"ls there spring lock on this door," said
he, addressing Parker, without turning.
mot the least fastening in the world, re-
turned he.
Here again Stanly put his shoulder to the
door and bent with all his might against it; it
opened slowly, about three inches, then flew
back again to its place, throwing him off into
the midst of us.
"What can be the natter" said he, turning
with blank dsmay OH his countenance.
With trembling lips faltered out my story
noise beside us made us turn. Joe had sunk
down oil the floor; he was the most vivid pic
ture OF terror had ever looked on. His lower
jaw hung down as if dislocated. His red hair
was writing like nest of snakes, and from
his blue lips were falling disjonted and broken
sentences, such as ooh, my God, have mercy!
Oh, Lord!-Oh, sweet saints-Heaven for
give us our slns!" and others such, while his
glazed and ghastly eyes glazing as if they would
start iiom their sockets, gave him truly hor-
rid appearance.
"Boys!" said Stany almost fercely, at may
be that some one is playing us trick though
how any person could have got in with every
thing fastened, don't know. Now if it be a
human being who keeps that door closed, he
cannot hold it against US three, so put your
shoulders to it both Of you, and III do the
same; if we do catch any one, don't care who,
we'll make it joke TO him that he will re-
member as long as he lives" He said these
last words aloud, as If to give the person a
warning OF what he should get. A low iend-