The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-03-11
WASHINGTON THURSDAY, MARCH II, 1852.

~ 81 a t.u. sdf 90 4u.la4a sGi
ashes, M if legion of spirits were coming after
them. Legree had been casting up accounts
and reading newspapers for some hours, while
Classy sat in the corner. mllenly looking into
the fire. Legree laid down his paper, and see-
ing an old book lying on the table, which he
had noticed Classy reading the first part of the
evening, took it up, and begun to turn it over.
1t was one Of those collections Of stories Of
bloody murders, ghostly legends, and super
natural visitations which. coarsely got up and
illustrated have strange fascination for one
who once begins to read them. ia5af4
Legree poohed and pished, but read, turning
page after page till finally, after reading some
way he threw down the book with an oath.
"You don't believe in ghosts, do you, Cass ! "
said he, taking the tongs and settling the Ere.
81 thought you'd more sense than to let noises
scare youp .
"No matter what believe" said Classy, sui
lcnly.
Fellows used TO try TO brighten me with
their yarns at sea-" said Legree Never come
it round me that way, I'm too tough for any
such trash, tell ye.o -.----.--
Classy sat looking intensely at him in the
shadow of the corner. There was that strange
light in her eyes that always impressed Legree
with uneasiness.
Them noises was nothing but rats end the
wind said Legree. Rats will make devil
of noise used to hear 'em sometimes down
in the hold of the ship; and wind-Lords'
sake, We can make any thing out o wind" "a
Classy knew Legree was uneasy under her
eyes, and therefore she made no answer, but
sat fixing them on him with that strange, un-
earthly expression as before.
Come, speak out woman-don't you think
SO? said Legree. l..a ...,I
I" Can rats walk down stairs, and come walk
ing through the entry and open door when
you We locked it and set chair agaipst it?o said
Classy; Sand come walk. wun. walking right
- : -. I'D, and pat oat their hsnd, 50 ~
Classy kept her glittering eyes Fixed on Le-
gree as she spoke, and he stared at her like a
man in the nightmare, till when she finished
by laying her hand, icy cold, on his he sprung
back with an oath.
Woman, what do you meana Nobody
did ?n-
aOh, no--of course not---dd | say they
did?' said Casey with smile Of chilling de-
rision.
But-did-have you really seen--come
Cass, what is it now-speak OUT
You may sleep there yourself" said Classy,
"if you want to know
" Did it come from the garnet, Cassy?"
"H-what ?" said Classy.
Why, what YOU told Of
g didn't tell you anything" said Classy, with
logged sullenness
Legree walked up and down the room un-
easily
Pll have this yer thing examined I'll
look into it this very night I'll take my pis-
''Do,n said Classy; sleep in that room I'd
like to see you doing it. Fire your pistols
Lcgree stamped his foot and swore violently
T" Don't swear said Classy "nobody knows
who may be hearing you. Hark What was
thatap
"What? said Legree, starting.
A heavy old Dutch clock, that stood in the
corner of the room, began, and slowly struck
twelve.
For some reason or other, Legree neither
spoke nor moved--a vague horror fell on him
while Classy, with keen, sneering glitter in
her .eyes, stood looking at him, counting the
strokes.
Twelve O'clock-well, n0p we'll see," said
she, turning and opening the door into the pas.
sage-way, and standing as if listening.
"Hark What's thatan said she, raising
her finger. al
(" It's only the wind y said Legree "Don't
you hear how cursedy it blowsaN
Simon, come here,n said Classy in whis-
per, laying her hand on his, and leading him
to the foot of the stairs; I" do you know what
that sl Hark!'
A wild shrek came pealing down the stair
way. 1t came from the garrett Legree's knees
knocked together, his face grew white with
fear.
Hadn't you better get your pistols +" said
Classy, with sheer that froze Legree's blood.
It's time this thing was looked into, You
know. I'd like to have you go up now; they're
at it,"
al won't 60" said Legrec, with an oath,
"Why nota There amt any such thing as
ghosts, you know! Come !" and Classy fitted
up the winding stairway, laughing, and look
ing back after him. Come ON
IL believe you are the DEVIL said Legree.
"Come back, you bag; come back, Cass. You
shant go.r
But Classy laughed wildly, and fed on. He
heard her open the entry doors that led TO the
garnet. A wild gust Of wind swept down, ex-
tinguishing the candle he held in his hand, and
with it the fearful, unearthly screams; they
seemed to be shrieked in his very ear.
Legree fed frantically into tho parlor,
whittier in a few moments he was followed by
Classy, pale calm, cold as an avcnging spirit, and
with that same fearful light in her eye.
az hope you are satisfied said She
"Blast you, CASH. said Legrec.
aWhat for!r said Classy. III only went up
and shut the doors WHAT'S the matter Nth
that garrett Simon, do you SUPPOSE" said she.
"Noue of your business said Legree.
"Oh, it amt WELL" said CASEY "at any
rate. Pm glad don't sleep under it'
Anticipating the rising Of the wind, that very
evening. Classy had been up and opened the
parret window. OF course, the moment the
doors were opened the wind had drafted down
and extingushed the light
This may serve as specimen Of the game
that Classy played with Legree until he would
have sooner put his head into lions mouth
than to have explored that garnet. Meanwhile,
in the night when everybody else was asleep
Classy slowly and carefully accumulated there
q stock of provisions sufficient to afford subsst-
ence for some time; she transferred, article by
article. greater part Of her own and Emme-
lines wardrobe. All things being arranged
they only waited fitting opportunity to put
their plan in execution.
BY cajoling Legree, and taking advantage OF
q good interval, Classy had got him TO
take her with him to the neighborng town,
which was situated directly on the Red River.
With a memory sharpened to almost prefer
natural clearness she remarked every turn IN
the road, and formed mental estimate OF the
time to be occupied in traversing IL.
At the time when ail was matured for action,
our readers may perhaps like to look behind
the scenes, and ace the final coup detat
1t was now near evening. Legree had been
absent on ride to ncighboring farm. For
many days Classy had been unusually gracious
and accom-, M od tiusy n, has huroors and eVree