Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-04-22
The Haunted Bed.
BY MARK LEMON.

waiter at the - hotel on the evening preceding the
regatta
"Mr. Ponsonby you don't say so and I'd given him
up and just put that weak-mnded gent come at ten
o'clock in Forty-two-Mr. Ponsonby's room as call
and there's not bed to be had in Cowes for love or
money"
What's that you say, Betty?' said the new conner
not another bed but mne eh ?"
That it, sir, replied Betty; kept it for you till
the last train; as that has been in hour gave
you up, sir. What will you do?'
Awkward" exclaimed Ponsonby the old clock
in the room will break its heart; but must sleep
sofa'
Not one dsengaged, sir" said the waiter.
"No sir" added Betty, not one sir There are four
small children put to bed in chest of drawers in
Twenty-four We let everything before we ncouH let
FOrty-two.
"That's the gent that's got your room," whispered
john he ushered Mr.. Ponsonby into the cofeeroom.
The person alluded to very mild milky-looking
young gentleman of twentyone. His present position
evidently one for he constantly employed
in pulling up his shirt collar and using his toothpick
John said Ponsonby, I" must have bed. Bring
broiled bone and glass Of brandy and water and
put them on the table next to the young gentleman,
whilst | speak to Betty"
| What the nature of Mr. Ponsonby's communication
to Betty was don't mean to reveal but she laughed
consumedly and was shortly afterwards entering
No Forty-two with a warming pan and then returning
without it.
The bone and brandy and water duly served and
Mr.. Ponsonby took his place at the table. The mild
gentleman pulled his collar more frequently and piled
the toothpick with increased energy.
Waiter" cried Ponsonby, " here-take this thing
way
Capital bone SIR said John, somewhat astonshed
Don't tell me capital bone p exclaimed Ponson-
| by. 1.-The bus driver complaining of the morta
ty among his horses Take it away"
The mild gentleman looked alarmed, and paused in
the act Of pulling up his left collar.
"Wretched house, this, SIR, said Ponsonby confden
TALLY never come here if | can avoid it but at re-
gatta time glad to get in anywherep'
Yes, SIR" said the mild one
"They served me a rascally trick once, and | shall
never forget it. wonder who sleeps in that room to-
night-poor devil
=" May inquire what the trick was ?"
"Oh certainly" said Ponsonby, " though | hardly
like to tell the story in you should doubt my verac-
ity."
ooh sir -
Well it seems absurd to talk of haunted chambers
in the nineteenth century - and POnsonby paused.
Not at all, SIR said the mild one, encouragngly
" But that there is one in this house l am ready to
swear exclaimed Ponsonby; room with large Old
fashioned clock in it,
mo. Forty-two!" gasped the mild one " that's my
room y
Hush, for Heavens sake!' said Ponsonby " had
known that wouldn't have said word for the world
"My dear sir, don't say that pray go on, sir. I'm
not superstitious, neither | ooshly incredulous
and the mild wiped his forehead, and emptied his
tumbler at gulp.
"Well as you desire it. l will narrate my story said
Ponsonby. 1t was exactly three years ago. this very
day. that and my luggage found ourselves in No. For
tytwo the last room $50 the chambermaid told me IN
let in the house,
Exactly what she told me-a cOckatrce. inter-
rupted the mild one.
Z" was tired of my days Journey and went to bed
exactly the clock struck twelve Though tatigued,
felt disposition to Sleep placed my candle on the
bedsteps and began to read. | had read about five
IL,
in the stomach and the clock struck quarter. start
ed up there was no one-nothng to account for the
phenomenon. At last l concluded it must have been
fancy. read on for another quarter of hour, when
received two blows of greater violence than the form
er one jumped out of bed resolved to secure my as
saant. No; there no one the clock chimed
the half hour"
Another glass OF brandy and water ~ cried the mild
one
1t was brought and Ponsonby proceeding
g" seized the bell-rope, but sense Of shame would
not let proceed therefore resolved to keep watch
for short time AS | sat up in the bed my eyes fell
upon the face of the old clock in the corner. could
not help thinking that in way connected with
the annoyance had suffered. AS l looked the minute
hand gradually approached the II on the DIAL and the
moment it arrived there, received three distant and
particularly sharp raps the OF my head. The
clock struck the three quarters. was now convinced
that there was something wrong. What was to DO
If disturbed the house and told this story should be
| resolved to brave the worst got out of bed, and
gently opening the clock case stopped the vibration Of
the pendulum
"Come, that must prevent the striking" thought |
and laid myself down with something like chuckle al
my own brilliancy.'
=" A chucke ~ murmured the mild one.
a had not been in bed above five minutes" resumed
Ponsonby, when heard the door Of the clock-case
open slowly. felt, confess, a tremor-"
" [ should think sou
"And | saw the pendulum throw somerset on the
floor, and deliberately the bed
1t paused for moment, and bending its round brazer
face full upon me, said -"
"Spoke?" gasped the mild one
Said, CONTINUED Ponsonby; not needing the inter
ruption) Sir, very much obliged to you for stop
ping my labors. People think l want any rest
but that can stand being perpetually wound up anC
kept the 60 With your PERMISSION III get int
bed and without waiting for an answer, into bed i
got"
Il suppose" continued the pendulum, you are no
aware that this is our room.'
Our room ?" said |.
Yes mine and the rest Of the works. The MAI
who made us died in this bed and left it to us as leg
acy. You found something rather unpleasant didn't
your
EYES," answered. every unpleasant"
"Ah that the striking weight; he always serves
intruders that way when we are going. When we art
not, and come to bed, he is quiet enough But as
am likely to be set going again in the morning. and 1T
now nearly halfpast one, I'll wish you good night
Good night sir" I replied, quaking from head tt
foot So, thought l. whoever sleeps in this bed must
either submit to be thumped black and blue by the sri
king-weight or accept of this horrible monster for
bed-fellow. At this moment the pendulum, suppose
fell asleep for it commenced innocent 'tickck tick
tick that rendered all attempts at forgetfuness on my
part impossible"
Another glass of brandy and water p cried the milo