The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-05-05
Mlistfllnntous.
THE CHAMBER OF MYSTERY.

sion to visit the country-house of no
bleman of that city, accepted the hospi-
table invitation he received, and deter
mined to remain as guest for several
days. The first day was passed in busi-
ness, and he retired 10 bed somewhat ex-
hausted, but his thoughts still occupied
with the Improvements in the house that
were contemplated. He could see. how
ever, that the room allotted to him was
handsome and commodious, though not
large;-and at length he suffered his
head to sink upon the pillow, with the
sigh Of satisfaction with which we take
leave of the world for the night.
"And draw around a wearied breast
The curtain of repose."
But when he was Just sinking to rest,
an uneasy sensation, he knew not of what
nature, stole over him. He persuaded
himself that the air was close-that he
perceived faint smell; and he lay for
some time considering whether he was
not suffering from fever. The question
was speedily answered, for the bed be-
gan to move. Presently it was near the
window-so near, that he could look out
could see the trees in the garden below,
and could observe the outlines of a sum-
mer-house, which had attracted his atten-
tion by its classical proportions in the
forenoon. He was of course surprised, f,
nay, terrified; but when he stretched to-
wards the window in order TO ascertain
that all was real, the scene grew DINNER
and DINNER, and at length disappeared.
And no wonder for the bed was reced-
ing to its old postion-and did not stop
there. He was presently at the door,
He might have touched the pannels with
his hand. He felt his breath come back,
and the air grew more confined. He
would have got up to ring for assistance,
but persuaded himself that he was too
weak, and would fail down before reach
ing the bell.
The bed again moved; and this time it
took up its position in the very middle of
the fire place. This was sheer frenzy of
fever, forth fire place was Of course not
fourth part the size of the bed ITSELF
Yet he saw distinctly tho walls of the
chimney surrounding him; and he even
felt that one Of the feet of the bed rest
ed upon dog iron, so as TO disturb its
level. But he had no time for minute
observation; for presently the bed emerg-
ing from the chimney, began to rise with
slow undulations towards the roof; and
there it continued to swing, as he imag-
ined for hours together, till his alarm
sunk gradually into lassitude, and he fell
into deep, though short and unrefresh-
ing slumber
The next morning the visitor appeared
at the breakfast table pale, wearled and
dispirited He was not well. What
was the matter? What could be done
for him? Nothing" he replied to all
their inlerrogatories, He had not slept
but the air would revive him He would
take heallhful exercise during the day,
and that would be better than medicine.
1t turned out as he expected. He ie-
covered his spirits; he was delighted with
his hosts, and they with him; and he was
thankful that he had been prevented by
shame from mentioning the absurd fan,
cies. At the usual hour, he retired again
to bed, comfortable in mind and body, but
feeling the want of sleep, and looking
forward gratefully, by anticipation, to al
least eight hours of sound repoSe.
He did not enjoy one. The same fe-
YER, the same fancies, the same inexpi,
cable movements of the bed-these were
his portion during the night; and in the
morning, the same dead eyes, the same
coIorless cheeks the same listless atti'
tudes betrayed to his sympathising friends
that he had passed another wakeful and
wretched night But he still preserved
silence as to the details. He was thorough
ly ashamed of his absurdity. The first
impressions of the first night had doubt
less remained to scare him on the second
He had gone TO bed thinking of his for
mer sulerings, and they had been renew
ed in his imagination. In this way he
accounted for the continued illusions tha
/, had perplexed HIM; and he determined
at a third trial to grapple with them man
fully, and compel repose by the aid o
reason.
All was unavailing, and on the thirc
morning his entertainer, alarmed by hi
giastIy looks. determined to bring him t
an explanation.
"You can no longer conceal it," sale
he; "you have found something disagree
able in the room; and | reproach mysel
with having allowed you to be put int
an apartment which certainly bears a bat
name in the house"
"What do you mean by bad namel'
asked the guest.
II mean that it is famous for its sleep
less lodgers, for its waking dreams-anc
worse than that. There is not servan
in the house who would enter it alone
after night. fall for a years wages"
"Thati is all very we'll for the servants
3 but know you laugh at these ignoran
fancies; and you know me too we'll to sup
pose that | would treat them otherwise
? than with contempt. Tell me at ono
what you believe; but first listen to a mar
: alive of my adventures" and the CUES
related to his host at full length, the stor
of his three ill-omened nights.
II cannot tell you what | believe re
, piled the latter, after musing some time
for in point of fact, | do not know wha
l.. I oil "a