The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1859-03-04
THE HAUNTED HOUSE.


/ Weird and alone, amid the mighty works OF
Nature, stands strange, old castle.
1 The tlmid peasant hurrirs past, a7t, half,
turning, shuIIering, muttprs-.'Tls the Haun-
/ T. d House -
/ Bailt near the border of an ancient forest,
whose lofty trees tower 10 the very Clouds its
position IS in harmony with It's appearance
/ Everything is grave and solemn no vo;tnce
! int,rmingles with the universal quiet.
| In the dark background stands the venerable
wood, noble specimen of Natures haDdlwork.
adding grandeur 10 the dreary scene.
The gnarled, old oak, true king of the forest,
spreads far aud wide his giant arms, shading the
meek and lowly Cover from the scorching
rays OF the noon-day sun.
The wide avenue Of tall, straight poplars
remains as landmark OF mans proximity.
TIE pathway, once 50 neatly gravelled, are
covered now with the raukpst weeds.
No rppl. disinrbs the bosom of the dark,
o'ershaiowrd lake, which lies 50 placidly amidst
hght-hrarted maiden and joyous youth, dances
along on its Tiny bilovs.
The gaunt and lonely bttern, wandering
with stately st.ides along lis dark, cold margin,
now hold the sovereignty Of the Haunted
Lake
In the midlle-dstance stands giant oak,
upon whose devoted form the thundrr-bolt has
spent lis fearful power. The stricken tree
holds high into the chilly air lis charred and
naked limbs, a,lmonishing humanity ofthe folly
of expectation in mutablp, material world.
Decay has seized the delapdattd mansion
As the dying light of the glorious sun clothes
creation in most gorgeous hues, the warnest
that cold, gray stone. The crunbng OF stones
has wirnrd the ancient portal, yet there are
few who will eotcr e Haunted H)use Those
cold and gloomy walls, echoing frarluly 10 the
sottrst tread upon the slmy floor, wear an as
pect so wild, repulsive 70 the genial heart Of
man, that no regret will minsle with the
satisfaction, when lraving this weird abode of
unseen spirits, TO reyel il tht JOYS OF SUMMER
spots.
The massive stairs, down which ths patt-r-
ing feet of merry children once skipped in inno-
cent delight, now seem to echo dull, mysterious
sounds Of quickly passing steps.
All IS loae no foot trerdS upon the marble,
vet, surely, strange noises hold mockIng rryel
The light trip of mad-n n fair, the slow najes-
tic pace OF ancient lady, the quick tramp of
sreef Utasr KudgHt, tie heavy foot-faii oi
caparisonrd steed, the rush ofservants, the clank
OF armor, all Join seeming chorus.
Bat no form is seen in the twilight dim, and
these sounds are the orgies OF departed spirits,
children of Imagination, nursedb by superstition.
Raise one corner OF the gorgeous curtains
that adorn the the high, archtd windows, and,
from thr folds Of costly lace designed tor the
delicate hands of couriIy danes, flies the trem-
bling and atTrghted bat. Oa the brightest point
of the crumling tower, where the green old
iey creeps along, sits ''the solitary m0ping owl, y
filling the air with her mournlul whooP.-
Troops of duSky bats are seen, ever and anon
fading away in the distance, or fitting through
the llovpr-drrSSed easements, where once
frightened the smile of many maid, as she
welcomed her knight from distant tour.
Tn. banqnrt-room is large .and grand, but
the chairs are empty, the table bare, for the
Lord of the Mansion no more shall meet with
gay companions in midnight revel.
Clouds OF dust obscure the trescoed walls,
and none but the spiders, now consult on the
nlerils OF Ancient Art.
Th,, glorious statue of immortal Ftnns, at
the shrine Of whose brauty the Arl-worli has
bowed, now covers her form with a co5-web
veil, resolved, n her .pridc, like a hermit TO
live, rather than degrade her world-knoHn
features by exposure to the rude, insulting gaze
of scrseching owls and wandering bats.
The extensive grounds where once heauti-
ful garden smiled, are but now wetdy wilder
ness, unnhabitpd, save by the dark-eled ser
peni and the Shiny snail.
All the merry hearts that once beat happily
within that old grand mansion, are now LAID IN
the cold and silent tomb, bot superstition in
,tnvsterious Whispers, tells that sprctres grim.
'hnd evil spirits wild, now revel in the halls OF
The Haunted House."