The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-05-26


recomotre. Not far from him lowered
the turrets of venerable castle. around
which clustered trees of an immense
growth and height. whose thick trunks
gnarled and overhanging branches, and
sombre foliage seemed as if anxious to
keep out the gaze of prying stragglers
and prevented the main body of the
building from being seen A slopng
lawn led down to deep, silent lake, so
still and so CLASSY that not a ripple dis
turbed its calm surface Beyond were
piled ledge of mountains, rising in bold
relief against the murky sky, and adding
additional wilderness to the landscape.
Altogether, the aspect of the place was
so repelling. and spoke so strongly of
desertion, that the clergyman involunta-
rily turned away. Meanwhile,the dark
ness increased apace. and no other habi-
tation was in sight but one-that of
person whom he we'll knew by report to
be an implacable hater of religion and its
ministers. Alternative. therefore. there
was none, between seeking admission as
an unwelcome guest. from which his III
nate delicacy shrunk, and remaining ex-
posed to the fury of storm which gave
warning of being in preparation by hoarse
boomings of thunder, the mighty sub
bass of the elements, and lurid CLEANS of
fire. lie hesitated for some time. but
determined at length to try whether the
voice of hospitality might not plead his
cause, and gain for him. at least, the
shelter Of a roof. whatever might be his
subsequent treatment and entertainment.
any refuge appeared preferable to expos
ure to the peltings Of the storm His
horse also, began to exhibit unequivocal
symptoms of dissatisfaction at the exist
ing state of affairs, and plainly intimat-
ed disposition to seek better quarters.
by impatient stampings and neighincs.
Mr. E accordingly rode up to the
door of the house and knocked; a tall.
dark-ysaged man appeared Mr.. E
introduced himself. apologized for the
intrusion, and solicited accommodation
for the night The gentleman replied
that he would with pleasure furnish him
supper, and find room in the stable for
his horse, but regretted that there was
not in the house a vacant chamber.
" But are you coward ?" he demand
ed. abruptly
Il hope notn
Because, if you are not, yonder is
the castle across the park, of which | am
agent no one is in it, as the owner is
travelling on the Continent. | will
not disguise from you, however, that
strange tales are told of its being haunt
ed, which was, in fact the principal rca-
son for the desertion of the Earl of
lis family If. as you say, your are
not afraid,and feelwilling to incur the risk
OF midnight vstants, you are welcome
'" r d" sctmang to notice the sneer wnlcn
accompanied the last words, Mr. Il. ac-
cepted the offer with thankfulness, re-
marking that, however he might prefer
society. yet as minister of the gospel,
he had no cause for fearing crc,, the pow
ers of darkness, should they league a
gainst him
Very well, then" said the host, whom
we may designate as Mr. D., will
order supper, and whilst you are partak-
d ing of it, send servants over to the cas-
tie to prepare a room and light a fire
T. and lest you should be in any doubt as
, to the sincerity of my intentions, | will
r attend you there myself, and assist i'll
5 searching your room and the adjoining
:. ones
. After supper, having ascertained that
+ his horse had been well attended to, Mr.
r E-expressed himself in readiness tt
; attend his host to his destined lodgings
5 as he was much fatgued with his journey
: and longed for repose. The rain had no
yet commenced. but the flashes of light
i ming and the howling of the wind through
4 the stately oaks and elms, presaged it
f coming violence, and suggested to the
y imagination of Mr. E the fitness o
5 just such night and place for deed 0
5, crime and he shuddered as they travers
ed the gloomy park, as many a tale o
a murdered traveller that he had heard il
= boyhood came forward in his mind T,
e the best of men sudden death has an appal
= ling aspect, but under such circumstance
# as these, apart from all that he loved
d alone and unpitied, it seemed tenfolt
t. terrible Then, again, he would thin
5 ON the unexpected hospitality of MI
IL D., and smile at the horrors whic
r busy fancy had conjured up
i As they drew near the castle. its DIES
c olate appearance was not much calculat
is ed to re-assure him, or calm his drooT
4 ing spirits Mr. D carried Ian
$ tern, the faint glinmering of which onl,
d served to make darkness visible, as it fel
e ON the grass-grown walks and old gra
d stones that paved the courtyard III
h noise of their steps and voices disturbe
ID crazy congregation of owls, bats an
le rocks, the time-honored inhabitants {
t. the turrets, which, startled and alright
* ed, flew about, tapping their wings, an
If uttering dismal cries at the unwonted il
G. vasion of their premises. A chill ia
ID through Mr. E. How he wishe
Iy for even the neighborhood of his hors,
is or anything that had life; the compan
e of dog would have been invaluable
he fain whould he have stretched himself
lg the stable; but, dreading to awaken ii
IS sarcasm of his grim host, he said notl
lie ing They reached the grand enteranc
n On opening, the door grated harshly an
-ic complainingly on its rusty hinges and
* rush of night-winds moaned bodingly
us they entered While ascending Il
ry staircase, dim shadows seemed to gat
rit er and troop around them, with fanta
to tic gestures beckoning them onward
* thousand spirit-eyes peered inquisitiye
1t out of the arches and frets in the ce