The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-09-17

vehicles, there was no resource for me,
except to occupy the lonely building,
which had first caught my eye upon enN
tering the hamlet. Upon inquring as
to the accommodation it afforded, learn
ed that though long deserted by any per-
manent occupants, is was still occasion
ally, notwithstanding its evil reputation,
resorted to by passing travellers, and that
one or two rooms were yet in good re-
pair and partially furnished. The good
woman of the house, however, when !
expressed my determination 10 take up
my abode for the night in the haunted
uin-though she tried, Intellectually, to
rouse her sleeping husband to guide me
thither. Mine host had been luxura-
ting too freely in some old Monongahe-
la, brought by return wagon from
Wheeling, to heed the jogging of his
spouse, and ! was obliged TO act as my
own gentleman usner.
The night was dark and gusty, as
with IN, saddle. bags in one hand, aud a
stable lantern in the other, ! sailed from
The door of the cabaret, and struggled
up the broken hill! in its rear to gain my
uninviting place Of rest. A rude porch,
which seemed to have been long uncom>
scious of Il door admitted me into the
building, and tracking my way with
some difficulty through long corridor,
Of which the floor appeared to have
been ripped open here and there, in or
der to apply the boards TO some other
purpose, came to a steep and narrow
staircase with out any balusters Cau-
tiously ascending | found myself in
large hall, which opened on the hill side
against which the house was built.
|, appeared TO be lighted by couple of
windows only, which were partial, glaz-
ed in some places aud closed up in 9th.
ers by rough boards. nailed across in
lieu of shutters 1t had evidently, how
ever, Judging from two or three ruinous
pieces of furniture, been inhabited. A
heavy door whose oaken latch and hIn>
ges, being incapable Of rust were still
in good repair, admitted me into an ad>
Joining chamber. This had evidently
been the dormi,ory of the establishment,
where the guest, after the gregarIous
aud most disagrecable fashion of our
country, were wont to be huddleh to-
gether in one large room. The waning
moou, whose brigh, autumnal crescent
was just beginning TO cast shadows a.
boye the hills, shone through high cir
cular window full into this apartment,
and indicated comfortable looking
truckle he'd al the farther end, before
the rays Of my miserable lantern had
shot beyond the threshold.
Upon approaching the pallet, OBJ
served some indication of that end Of
the apartment being still occasionally
occupied The heavy beams which
traversed the ceiling appeared 10 have
been recently whIte-washed. There
was small piece Of carpet on the floor
beside the bed, aud decrpit table, and
an arm chair whose burly body was pre-
cariously supported upon three legs,
were holding an innocent tete-a-lete in
the corner.
I've had rougher roosting place than
this, thought |, as | placed my lantern
upon the table. and dePosiiing my sad
dle-bags heneath it, began 10 prepare
myself for rest.
My light having now burnt low wa:
compelled to expedate the operation o
undressing, which prevented me iron
; examining the apartment, and indeed
had, when first welcoming with some
pleasure the idea of sleeping in haun
ted house, determined fully to explore
> for my own satisfaction, before retiring
for the night, yet fatigue or caprice
made me now readily abandon the in
tention, Just when my means for carry
ing it into execution were being with
, drawn for the candle expired while
was opening the door of the Ian
tern, to throw lis light more fully upon
a mass Of drapery which seemed TO be
suspended across the further end of the
chamber. The complete darkness that
momentarily ensued blinded me entire,
ly; but IN the course OF few moments
the shaCows became more distinct, and
gradually by the light of The moon,
was able TO make out that the object op-
posile me was only large old fashioned
bedsiead, prodigal!y hung with taltered
curtains. gave no further heed 10 the
subject. but turning over, composed my
self to rest.
Sleep, however, whom Shakespeare a.
lone has had the sense to personlly as a
woman, was COY in coming to my couch.
The old mansion wheezed and groaned
like a broken-winded buffalo hard press