The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-07-20
The Haunted Bed.

7
given him up. and just put that weak minded
gent. come at ~ o'clock, into 4e Mr.. Pom
sonby's room. as l call it, 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 mine, eh?"
That's it. sir. replied Betty: kept it for
you ill the last train; now rs that has been in
an hour, gave you up, sir. What will you
do?"
"Awkward,' exclaimed Ponsonbv; "the old
clock in the room will break its heart; but |
must sleep on the sofa
mot one diScngaged sir, said the waiter.
"No. sir, added Betty; mot one. sir. There
are four small children put to bed in a chest OF
drawers, now in "a. We let everything before
we would let a.
That's the gent that's got your room, ;"
whispered John, as he ushered Mr. Ponsonby
into the coffee room.
The person alluded 10 was very mild. milky
looking Young gentleman Of twenty one. His
present position was evidently n new one, for
he was constantly employed in pulling up his
shirt collar. and using his toorh-pick
John" Ponsonby, Il must have bed.
Bring me a broied bone and glass OF brandy
and water, and put them on the table next to
The Young gentlemen, while I speak 10 Betty"
What the nature of Mr.. Ponsonbs's cum,
munication to Betty was don't mean 10 reveal:
but she laughed consumedy," and was seen
entering No AZ with a warming pan, and then
returning without it,
The bone and brandy and water were duly
served, and Mr.. PonSonbv took his place AT the
able. The mild gentleman pulled his collar
more frequrnly. and piled his toothpick with
increased energy
"Waiter," cried Ponsonby, "here. take this
away"
Capital bone, sir' said John, somewhat
astonShed
Don't tell me-a capital bone!" exclaimed
Ponsonby; 1.-THE buss driver WAS complaining Of
the mortality 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
eonfdcniially; never come here if l can avoid
ii;but Al Regatta time glad to get in anywhere" !"
Yes, sir, said the mild one
They served me Il rascally trick once. and
| shall never forget it. l wonder who sleeps
in that room 10 night-poor deyil!"
| 81 may inquire what The trick was, sir?"
"Oh. certainly" said Ponsonby. Though
hardly like to tell the story, in case you should
doubt my veraciry."
"Oh sir"
"WelI--it seems absurd to talk Of haunted
chambers in the nineteenth century," and Pom
sonby paused.
Not at all, sir, said the mild one, encour-
agingy.
But that there is one in this house am
ready TO swear. exclaimed Ponsonby, ~ room
! ! 4. 4. -,
mo. 42!' gasped the mild one; that's my
room!'
Hush. for Heavens saker' sail Ponsonhgs
chad known that wouldn't have said q awsil
for the world"
MY de'r sir, don't say that; pray go oh'sfa
I'm not superstitous, neither am | tooIishb
ncredulou>;" and the mild one wiped his fore
head. and empIied his tumbltr at 4 gu p.
"Well, as you desire it. will narratc my
story" said Pun>onby. 1T was rxactl, thre,
yeals ago this very day, that and my luggage
found ourselves in No AZ. the last room ( st
the chambermad told mel unfet, in the h"use
'ExlctIy what she told me-a cOck%tiice!
in errupted the mild one.
Il was tired Of my days journey, and wen
to bed ex ,ctly AS the clock struck twelve
! Though talgued, l felt no disposition to sleep;
So placed my cAn lie on the bed steps, and
began 10 read. h td read about five minutes
when suddenly | received violent blow in III,
stomach, AMI the clock struck a quarter.
started up; there was no one-nothlng to ac
count for the phenomenon. Al last concluded
ii must be fancy | read on for another quar-
ter Of an hour, when | received two blows, 0
greater violence than The former one. Ilumpet
out of bed resolved 10 secure my asSaIant. No
there was no one!-the clock chimed the hal
hour"
Another glass of brandy and water!" criet
the mild one.
1t was brought and Ponsonby proceeded.
Il seizcd the bell rope but sense OF shame
would not let me proceed. /. therefore, re
solved to keep watch for 4 short time AS
} sat up in the bed, nv eyes fell upon the fac'
uf the old clock in the corner ! could not he'll
thinking that WAS in some way connected will
, the ANNOYANCE had suffered. As | looked
the minute hand gradually approached the y
! ON the dial, and the moment it arrived there
received three distinct and particularly shar
t raps on the crown Of my head. The cIoc
) struck three quarters. was now convince
that there was something wrong. What was
TO do? If disturbed the house and told thi
story, should be laughed at, and set dow
( either as drunk or dreaming. l resolved
brave the worst. got out Of bed and gentI
t opening the clock case, stopped the vibratlo
: ot the pendulum.
= Come, that must prevent the striking,
+ thought l. AMI laid myself down with some
q thing like chuckir at my own brlliancy.''
5 "A chuckle murmured the mill one.
Il had not been in bed above five minutes,
resumed Ponsonby, when l heard the door
the clock case open slowly. / felt confess
tremor-"
Il should think sol"
As SAW the pendulum throw somers'
on the floor. and deliberately hop. hop, hol
towards the bed. II paused for moment, an
bending its round, brazcn face full upon mi
said"
"Spoke?" ga<ped the mild one.
Sill" CONTINUED Ponsonby, not heedin
the interruptions 'Sir, am very much obige
To you for stopping my labors. People think
never want any rest, but thai can stand, ber
perprluaIly wound up. and kept on the g
If Wi,h your permission, II get into bee" /" An
e without waiting for an answer. into bed 1t go
e Il suppose, continued the pendulum, you Al
: lot aware that this is our room.
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