Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-03-28
saw that my brother was specially uncom-

AOItauic, anu mdue al euOrt 70 CnAufe the
subject. Poor fellow! He never has been
haJ himself since he brought his young wife
home TO die! But the effort to change the
subject Of conversation only succeeded 50 far
that 1t produced silence Father walked up,
and withdrew. Mother followed; and then
the rest, except Edward, who stood at the
window gazing out into the night. I went to
MN, ana placed my hand upon his arm. He
started, and then said,
"Oh, is it you, Gardiner
You were thinking Of her"
les. In my reverie had forgotten she
was dead and your quiet approach, so like
the manner in which she used 20 steal unon
me, made me turn to greet her, Caroline "
"Well!"
"IfO one could believe what they saw Of the
presence of the loved and dead near ms ~
my dear brother"
"Don't argue. Don't ridicule. know
such thing is contrary to all reason.
know it is opposed to all experience. know
that to indulge such thoughts is folly, and
worse. But cannot be reasoned with.
cannot hear such things lightly spoken Of
My recent affection makes me sensitive. 1t
is wonderful how many advocates the delusion
has :"
"Did il never occur TO you, Edward, that
in your own self you may read the solution Of
the wonder! Who has not lost a friend, par
ent or child, brother or sister, wife or hus-
band! And who does not incline to wish that
true which might preserve to us continued in
tercoursc with these loved ones2 In this
playing upon our sensibilities, and making
traito;s of our affections, is the secret of the
too ready faith which we listen to impossi-
bilities."
cit may be, indeed"
II is curious how, when once we let our
minds run upon forbidden subjects, they
haunt and perplex Us. Icould not divest my
self of the feeling of superstition which had
been called. up, and was not at all sorry 10
find that Angeline had taken possession of q
spare bed in my room. She had retired be-
fore me, but when L entered she was not vet
asleep. II have taken liberty, Caroline, but
you must excuse it. The edifying conversation
IN which We have been engaged has made a
complete coward of me. / was really afraid
70 sleep in my own room alone.'
l smiled, and told her she was welcome. L
did not tell her how welcome, or how much Of
a coward / was myself. 1 am afraid of the
observant witch Besides, if 1 was glad,
heartily glad to find her in the room, soon
wished ber away. She talked, talked, talked,
till past midnight, and still on the same theme
[ wished she would be silent, but still listened
III sort of fascination, and even made her re-
peat the words and sentences which I did not
at first catch. Tired nature at length gave
way, and L fell asleep, leaving Angeline still
III NAo ecfSAtu spleIe-OE III sCmt Sucn lnueu-
mite position.
1 dreamed. I dreamed of spirit-rappers
and spirit-rsppings, and never In my life did
hear sounds Iaore distinct than the tap-tap
tap on the foot board. walked in tremor
Of fright and felicitated myself that it was a
dream. There il no more delightful sensation
in the world than the feeling that you are
really broad awake. and that the terror with
which you still tremble were not realities, but
merely the sleeping fancies caused by an over
excited mind. A sceptre could not be held
with more ecstasy than you clasp the bed
post
Such was my triumph-but, alas short
lived The conviction that was indeed broad
awake ceased to be a satisfaction, when upon
my waking ears distinctly fell the tap-tap-
tap. Now / was sure il was ne dream. but q
distinct and not to be doubted reality, let it
come from whence it might. L buried my
head in the bed clothes-and still came, dis
tinct though muffied, the tap-tap-tap
IF you intend to open a communication
with me, )" thought L, "you shall be dissppoin-
ted " 1t is wonderful with what philosophy
L acted in my fear-fOr afraid 1 was, and I
confess. lay awake, wishing for day OF for
sleep, l cared little which, for L was exceed
ingly fatigued. slipped from the bed with
the first gray streak of light, and finding that
Angeline was sound asleep, and in perfect
composure, l became convinced that 1t was
ali delusion, and prepared to compensate my
self for sleepless night by taking a long
morning nap.
TcoyCIusIoS ro.ynPpou