Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-11-07
NOV VEMBER 7, 1850.

could brace my back against the door so as to
hold it against any human assailant who had on
ly his arms for lever
The perspiration of mortal fear started thick
upon my forehead, as heard the supernatural
tread of that strange vsitant approaching the
spot. 1t seemed an uge before his measured
step brought him to the door. He struck it;-
the blow was sullen and hollow, as if dealt by
the hand of a corpse. 1t was like the dull sound
OF his own feet upon the floor He struck the
door again, and the blow was more feeble and
the sound duer than before, Surely, thought
the hand of 10 living man could produce such
sound.
| know not whether it struck again, for now
its thick breathing became so loud that even
the meanings that were mingled with every sus-
piraton became inaudble. At last they subsi-
ded entireiy-b becoming at first gradually weak
er, and then audible only in harsh sudden sobs,
whose duration could not estimate, from their
mingling with the blast that swept the hillside.
The long, long night had at last an end, and
the cheering sound of the awakening farm-yard
told me that the sun was up, and that might
venture from my blind retreat. But if it were
still with slight feeling of trepidation opened
the door of the closet, what was my horror when
human body fell inward upon me, even as
Enclosed it. The weakness; however, left me
the moment sprung from that hideous embrace
stood for an instant in the fresh air and the re.
viving light Of the hall, and then proceeded tc
move the body to place where could exam
inc its features more faeorably Great heavens
what was my horror upon discovering that they
were those of the interesting stranger whom
had met on the evening before
The rest of my story is soon told. The house
hold of the inn were rapidly collected, and hal
the inhabitants of the hamlet identified the bod,
as that of gentleman well known in the coun
try. But even alter the coroner's inquest wa
summoned, there was no light thrown upon hi
fate until my drunken landlord was brought be
fore the jury. His own testimony would hav
gone for little, but he produced documer
which in few words told the whole story.
was a note, left him the evening before, by NJ
rive at the inn. 1t briefly thanked me for tt
slight courtesy rendered him at the blacksmith
and mentioning, that notwithstanding all precal
ton, his horse had fallen dead lame, and |
should be obliged to pass the night at Wolf
wald he would still further trespass upon II
kindness, by begging to occupy the same roo
with me. 1t stated that owing to some organ
affection of the system, he had long been su
iect to the most grievous fits of nightmare, du
, ing which he preserved sufficient powers of v
lition to move to the bed of his servant WI
I being used to his attacks, would of cuorse Ia
the necessary means to alleviate them. T
, note concluded by saying that the writer had lie
, difidence in preferring his request to be II
room mate, inasmuch as owing 10 the crowd
state of the house, was sure of being thrust
upon some one.
, The reason why the ill-fated gentleman h,
been SO urgent to press homeward was now b
, too apparent, and my Indignation at the drum
t en- nn-keeper in neglecting to hand me his not
knew no bounds! Alas in the years whit
have sincegone by, there has been more thi
, one moment, when the reproaches then LAWS
, ed upon him have come to myself, for the piteou
: y appealing look of the dying man long haur
: ed me; and sometimes hear his moan in t
autumnal blast that walls around my cascmen