Nebraska advertiser., 1859-02-17


my roomI'
Hush, for heavens sakev said Pom
sonby had known that, wouldn't have
SAID a word for the world
My dear sir, don't say that; pray go
on sir. I'm not supsrstitious, neither am
| foolishly incredulous : and the mild one
wiped his forehead, and emptied MS tum-
bier at gulp
well, as you desire it, l will narrate
my story said Ponsonby. II was exact.
Iy three years ago this very day, that |
and my luggage found ourselves in No.
42, the last room, $50 the chambernaid
told me unlet 10 the house.
Exactly what she told me-a coclla-
trice!' interrupted the mild one.
i was tired by my days journey, and
went to bed exactly as the clock struck
twelve. Though faligued, l felt no dis
position TO sleep, so placed my candle on
the bed-steps and began to read. | had
read about five minutes, when suddenly |
received most violent blow in the stom-
ach, and the clock struck a quarter.
quarter. l started up; there was no
one-nothing to account for the phenom-
enon. At last l concluded it must have
been fancy. read on for another quar-
ter of an hour, when | received two
blows, of greater violence than the for
mer one. | jumped out of bed. no one
was there the clock chimed the half
hour
Another glass of brandy and water,
cried the mild one.
1t was brought, and Ponsonby then
proceeded:
i seized the bell-rope, but sense Of
shame would not let me proceed. l re-
solved therefore, to keep watch for a
short time. AS sat up in the bed my
eyes fell upon the face of the old clock in
the corner. l could not help thinking
that was in some way or another connec-
ted with the annoyance | had suffered.
As looked, tue minute hand gradually
approached the TX on the dial, and the
moment il arrived there | received three
distinct and particularly sharp raps on
the crown of my head. The clock struck
the three quarters. was now convinced
there was something wrong. What was
TO do? If | disturbed the house and
told the story, | should be laughed at
aud set down as either drunk or dream
ing. IresoIved to brave the worst.
got out of bed, and gently opening the
clock case stopped the vibrations OF the
pendulum.
Come, that must prevent the striking
thought l, aud laid myself down, with
something like chuckle at my own bril-.
liancy.'
, a chuckle" murmured the mild one
i had not been in bed more than five
minutes resumed POnsonby, when
heard the door of the clock case open
slowly, felt, confess, a tremor'--
i should think So
AS saw the pendulum throw SON.
ersault on the floor, and deliberately hoI
op-hop-towards the bed. 1t paus-
ed for a moment, and bending its rouud
brazen face full upon me, said
Spoke . gasped the mild one.
Said continued Ponsonby, rot heed.
ing the interruption, Sir, am very much
obliged to you for stopping my labors.-
People think never want any rest, but
that can stand being perpetually wound
up and kept on the 60. With your per
; mission, III get into bed;' and without
waiting for an answer, into bed 1t got
Il suppose, continued the pendulum
: you ale not aware that this is our room.
i ''Our room y said |.
Eyes, mine and the rest of the works
a The man who made US, died in this bed
and left il TO US as legacy. You
found something rather unpleasant, did
you not!'
Yes, answered, very unpleasant
5 'Ah that was the striking weight; he
: always serves lntruderS that way whel
: we are going. When We are not, and
a come to bed, he is quiet enough. But a.
| am likely to be set going again in the
morning, and It's now nearly half
z one, I'll wish you good night"
$ Good night, SIR replied, quahing
n from head to foot. So, thought |, who
d ever sleeps in this bed must either sub
: nit to be thumped black and blue by III,
strikIng-weight, or accept Of this horri
e bic monster for a bed-fellow At thi
moment the pendulum, suppose, fel
: asleep, for it commenced an iucessan
'tick-tick, tick-tick,' that rendered all at
: temRis at fOrgetfuIness On my part. i'm
i possible
: Another glass of brandy and water
cried the mild one.
!, No, no, said Ponsonby. 1 would ad
IS wise you not. Hare your chamber can
die and go to bed
+ Go to bed in No. 42!' exclaimed tn
e mild one 'Nevern
e My dear fellow, matters may hav
changed since the period | have bee
talking of. Go TO your room, and if any
=, thing occurs. il is easy 10 ring the bel
II Come I'll see you to the door, And ia
If king their candles the pair proceeded I
No. 42.
5. Here we are, good night;' said Por
sonby.
b The mild gentleman could only way
u his head in valediction as he entered th
haunted chamber. In "a minute he utter
ed shrill cry, and rushed into the lobb1
4 his haiE literally on end with terror.
!, What's the Hater!' said Ponsonby.
Its the Pc lin bed-fast asleep-I'y
A. seen 1.-THE pendulum I'd moi slee
there for a thousand Doundsp