Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1854-02-24
they carried of from the people of Muddy

they carried of from the people of Muddy
Hollow.
Marion Field was kept in constant state
of amusement; for old Mrs. Pancrust had
been most violently seized with the disorder,
and existence, to her, was one continual
knock. Mrs. Pancrust dropped into uneasy
slumbers under the mesmerism of myst eri-
Gus knockings-she opened her ears to
these sounds at early dswn--and she look
cd as though she were perpetually saying to
herself sst-f
~ hear knock you cannot hear"
How sften did she sit and count series
of knockings, and draw representations
therefrom-little suspecting that the mvs-
terious performers we're Marion, and po-
ker, in tho next apartment
Mrs. Pancrust labored in vain to make
convert of the mischievous girl she laugh
ed at all her theories, and boldly expressed
her opinion that the mysterious knockers
might find some better employment. The
old housekeeper was shocked at this ok epti-
cism and some dreadful warning from the
incensed spirits was the very least of what
she expected for such incredulity. Marion,
however, continued unpunished; and the
day approached for WaIlace's return.
Great were the preparations for the young
minister visit; but as the hour approached,
the heress became more and more nervous
while wondering whether her teachers man.
nsr would be as cordial as ever. What
would he think of the conservatory? Per-
haps it might look to him like self conceit,
puffed up by the consciousness of heiress-
ship. Marion roved restlessly around, and,
at first, resolved to meet him frankly at the
front door then she thought it better to
sit in state on the sofa; and finally, when
he really did arrive she ran to the room
opening into the conservatory and conceal
ed herself among the folds of the curtains.
Here, partly in mischief, partly in en-
barrassment, she stood, awaiting his en-
trance; and at the first sound of his step in
the apartment, it tseemed as though the beat
ing of her heart must be distinctly audible.
How she tried to control this agitation, and
how it weuldnt be controlled! And then
she thought of Mrs. Pancrust's predictions,
and wondered if this was ssMysterious
Knockings?''
Wallace Hampton passed on so close
that he seemed almost to touch her and as
he looked shout him, he appeared like one
bewildered. He entered the conservatory
but, having advanced a Few steps, he stood
still, with folded arms, and seemed lost in
reverie. Marion, half piqued that he had
not continued his search, emerged from her
hiding place, and stood noting the altera-
tions Of two years. His high. broad fore.
head seemed more lofty than ever his
mouth was graver than of old : and ne look
ed SO proud, and calm. and erect, that Ma
rion half feared to arrest his attention.
That troublesome heart, how it kept beat
ing And while sho stood there, undeci-
ded, Mrs. Pancrust entered the room in quest
of her.
"Why, Miss Marion ~ she exclaimed,
"what is the matter? Mr.. Wallace has ar.
rived, and gone to look for you"
'tHush = whispered Marion, 81 am lis
tsning to Mysterious Knockings.'"
Mrs. Pancrust was beth awed and de-
lighted; and in tie same low tone she re-
piled,
"How many kno ks were there?'
"Oh p said Marion, with laugh at her
companions eagerness, ssI really do NOT
know; they were so numerous that couldn't
count them."
Mrs. Pancrust stood few moments and
pondered. At last she had hit it.
"Miss Marion,' said she, solsmnly, ode
pend upon it that the spirits have deter
mined upon your being an old maid. You
have brought this upon yourself!'
But Marion received this communication
with such an outburst of laughter that
Wallace, reused from his contemplation by
the familiar sound, was soon standing he.
side his old papil with greeting as cordial
as In those golden times.
But as tho young clergyman glanced
around upon the handsome furniture, the
conservatory, and all the adornments of
wealth, he sighed at the thoughts of the
chasm between himself and heiress. She
could never again seem like the same simple
girl Of old and again that proud, lofty look
fell upon Marion's heart like chill. Was
this the meek charity that thinketh evil Of
none? Marion could have taught the cler-
gyman lesson that would have been of
more value to him than twenty sermons.
Wallace was, of course, feted and courted
by his old associates of Muddy Hollow but
he soon discovered that their minds were
en- crossed BY more important subject than
his arrival. "Mysterious Knockings' were
familiar words in every house and it was
probably owing TO their very slow natures
in receiving an ldea that they now clung
with spch tenacity to the spiritual rappers.
"This Is really too foolish," said Wal
lace, one evening, as he gavs . ludicrous
account OF visit that had been intsrru pteo
BY mysterious knocking, call the village
seem to have gone crazy!"
Notwithstanding her reverence for the
newly created clergyman, Mrs. Pancrust
could not quietly hear him denounce her
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