The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-08-16
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the night2 I am afraid my four
footed companion is hardly able to
carry Inc to the next inn.'
Il cannot promise you bed, SIR
said the host, 'for I have but one
spare bed in the house,
'And that?'-said the major.
Happens to be in q room that
does not enjoy very pleasant repu-
tation. In short, sir, one room of
my house is haunted; and that's the
only ,oac, unfortunately, that I can
place at your disposal tonight
My dear sir said the major,
springing from his horse, and tossing
the bride to the servant, you cnchant
me beyond expression A haunted
chamber! The very thing-and I
who have never seen q ghost
What luclsn
The host shook his head gravely.
i never knew q man. he said,
'to pass n night in the chamber with,
out regretting it.
Major Stanley laughed, as he took
his pistols from the holsterpipes.
with these friends of mine, he said,
Il fear neither ghost nor demon
Colonel Rogers showed his guest in
to comfortable parlor, where
sca-coal fire was burning chccrfnlly in
CRATE, and reircshment most wei
come to weary traveller, stood upon
Il table.
Mine host was an old campaigncr,
and had seen much service during
the war of the American Revolution,
and he was full ofintcrestng anecdotes
and descriptions of adventures But
willie Major Stanley was apparently
listening attcntvcly to the narrative
of his hospitabIe entertainer, throwing
in the appropriate cjaculations Of sur
prise and pleasure at the proper inter
vals, his whole attention was in reality
absorbed by charming girl of TWEEN
ty, the daughter of the colonel, who
graccd the table with her presence.
Never he thought, had he seen SO
beautiful, so modest and SO lady-like
a creature; and she, in turn, seemed
very tavorably impressed with the
manly beauty and frank manners Of
their military guest.
At length she, retired. The colonel,
who was three bottle man, and
had found Il listener to his heart, was
somewha, inclined to prolong the
session into the small hours Of the
morning, but finding that his guest
was much fntigucd, and even begin
ming to nod in the midst ofhis choicest
story, he felt compelled to ask him
il he would not like to retire. Major
Stanley replied promptly in the ac:
iirmalive, and the old gentleman, talk
ing up 4 silver cand!cstick, ccrcrnon-
ionsly marshalled his guest to q
large old-laS!.ioncd room, the walls of
which being papercd with gree, gave it
its appclation Of the green chamber
y comfortable bed invited to rcposc:
cheerful fire WAS blazing on the
hearth, and every thing was cosey and
quiet. The major looked him with
IL smile of satisfaction.
4 am deeply indebted TO you, col
oncl,' said he, 'ior atfording me such
comfortable quarters. shall sleep like
a top
4 am afraid not answered the col
oncl, shaking his head gravcly. 4 ncv-
cr knew a guest ofminc to pass quiet
night in the Green Chamber
j Shall prove an exception said the
major, smiling. But | must make
one remark he added seriously. III,
is i'll sporting with the feelings of
soldier; and should any Of your
servants attempt to play tricks upon
me, they will have occasion to repent
it, And he laid his heavy pistol on
the lightstand by his bedside.
My servants, Major Stanley said
the old gentleman, with an air, of
offended dignity, 'are too well drilled
to dare attempt any tricks upon my
guests. Good night, major
Goodnight, colonel.
The door closed. Major Stanley
locked it. Having done so, he took
a survey Of the apartment. Beside
the door opening into the entry, there
was another leading to some other
room. There was 10 lock upon this
second door, but a heavy table pla.
ccd across, completely barricaded it,
4 am safe thought the major,
unless there is q storming party Of
ghosts to attack me in fastncss. /
think shall sleep we'll
llc threw himself into an arm
chair before the fire, and watching the
glowing cmbcrs, amused himself
with building castles in the air, and
musing on the attraction of the fair Ju.
lia, his hosts daughter. He was far
enough from thinking of spectral vis-
ltanls, when very light noise struck on
his ear. CHANGING in the direction of
the inner door, he thought he saw
the heavy table glide backwards from
its place.-Quick .as thought, he
caught up pistol, and challenged the
intruder. There was no rcply-but
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