Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-08-28
MISC Z l. L A N Y
TFrom the Dublin University Magazine.l
A NIGHT IN THE BELL INN.

Ahmt G,ur.and thirty years ago travelling through
Denbioshre upon mission which needed dispatch. had,
in fact in nv charge some papers which were required for
the LEGAL preliminaries to marriage, which was aSou to
take place in family of consideration, upon the borders OF
that county.
be season was winter but the weather delghttuthat
is 10 saw clear and frosty and even without foliage, the
country through which posted beautiful The sub
;ec of nv ;ourney was pleasant one. anticipated an
agreeable visit and cordial welcomes and the weather
and scenery were precisely of the second the cheer
f associations with which my excursion had Oeen under
taken. Let no one therefore, suggest that preds
posed for the reception OF gloomy horrible impressions
When the sun set we had splendid moon, at once soft
and brilliant and pleased myself with watching the al
tered and if possible, more beautiful effects of the scenery
through which we were smoothly rolling Twas to put up
FOR The ninh at the little town - and on reaching the
bioyer which the approach to it is conducted about
short mile from its quaint little street. dlsmoun'ed, and
directing the position walk his aded horses eisurey up
the winding road Od before him E the pleasant moon
light and sharp, bracing air little by path led directly
up the steep activity while the carriage road more gradu
ally ascended by wide sweep this little path, leading
through fields and hedserows, followed intending to an
tcpate the arrival Of my conveyance at The summit OF the
hill.
had not proceeded very far when found myself close
10 pretty old church, whose vied tower, and countless
diamond window panes, gltterng in the moonbeams
"A hch irregular hedge overtopped by tall and ancient
trees inclosed it, aud of funeral yews showed black
and mournu among the array OF headsoneS that Kept
watch over the village dead, was struck with the
impse had caught of the old church yard that could
mot bear mounting the little ste that commanded lt-no
scsne cond be IMAGINED more still and solitary Not hu-
man habitstion was nearevey sign and sound oil life was
reyeeny remoe and this old church. with Its silent con-
repaton of the dead marshaed under its walls, seemed to
have spread round circle of Stiffness aud deSeron that
pleased while it thrilled me-
No sound was here audible but the soened rush of wa
ters and that Of home and safety, the distant
HAVING of the Watchdog and then broken by the shar-
per rattle of the caragewheels upon the dry road But
while looked upon the sad and solemn scene before me,
these sounds were interrupted by which startled and
indeed, for moment, roze me with horror. The sound
was cry, or rather howl of despairing terror such as
have never heard before or since uttered by human voice.
Il broke from the stiffness Of the church yard but saw
no FIGURE from which it proceeded-thOugh this circum-
STANCE indeed was scarcely wonderful. the broken
ground the trees tall Weeds and tomb stones afforded abun
dant cover for any person who might have sought conceal
nent This cry of unspeakabe agony succeeded by
Silence and confess, my heart throbbed strangely when
the same voice arculaed in the same tone Oragony,
"Why will you trouble the dead? Who can torment
us before the time? will you in my flesh, though
after my skin worms destroy this body-and you shall
speak to me, face TO face"
This stranqe address was followed by another cry OF de-
spair, which died away as suddenly as it was raised
never could tell why 1t was was not more horror
stricken than really by this mysterious and all thOgs
considered terrible Interpolation. 1t was not until
the silence had again returned and the faint rustng OF the
frosty breeze among the crisp weeds cept toward me like
the steathy approach of uuearthy influence, that
fell supersous terror gradually inspire me which hur-
red me at an accelerated pace from the place few mi
mites and heard the friendly voice of my charoteer hal
looinq to me from the summit OF the hul
.Reassured, as approached him, Noated my speed
81 saw YOU standing the Sie, sir, oy the church
ward - he said as drew near and ask your pardon for
not giving YOU the hint before, but they say 1t Is not lucky;
and called TO YOU loud and usy TO come away S Out
see you are nothing the worse OF IT."
''Why what is there 10 be afraid Of there, my gOoo lei
low p! asked, affecting much Indifference as was aOe
''Why, sir" said the man. throwing an uneasy loon u"
the dectiOn they do say there's bad sPitit hapn'S ~
and nobody these pas would go it after dark 0f
love or money"
"Hauuled" repeated "and how does The spirit show
hmsell?" asked,