Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-05-04


good humor, and occasionally joined to-
gether in the chorus of several excellent
old songs Wolfe listened, or seemed to
listen, in truth, without perceiving ANY,
thing that passed around him; but when at
last his next neighbor started up, and said,
'Now it is time, every one must to his
quarters" his heart began to beat, and his
knees tottered under him, so that he could
hardly support himself. His comrade,
however, had been observing him for a
long while, and believed that he was GER
tainlyslll ne.w sssizeslir by the arm, and
they loltered along for considerable dis
tance together. When they had come, at
last, to the neighborhood of the butchers
house, Wolfe suddenly stood still, and, in
wardly shuddering, heaved a deep sigh
"No p said he, to himself, II shall no lon
ger bear undivulged these obscure and hor-
rible thoughts, which have rendered my
conduct so reserved and extraordinary, and
which, buried in my heart, torment me to
death! 2:
"Now then," cried the other, 'only re-
solve boldly. Gomez out with it from thy
heart, fresh, and without any reserve or
qualification. What have you to tell?"
'Don't laugh" said Wolfe; 'it was a
dream, such as might render you and me
and every one insane that hears it I"
The wild eyes and faltering voice of our
hero involuntarily startled. his comrade
both looked fearfully and pale at one an
other. When, at last they had arrived at
the butchers house, and entered together
the mysterious apartment, "Here, then, -
said Wolfe, "look attentively around you.
In this room has appeared to me now, for
these two nights past, a gray-white spec
tire, with features blood-stained and ema-
ciated, worn and gna$n away by the moul-
dering damps of she grave. This appari-
ton seats itself in that chair before nv
bed, and, with its head leaning on its
hands, looks at me imploringly. | wake
not sleep mott feel and see, and vet
cannot move limb. After awhile, the
figure makes signs to me, and points to
that garden, which you may perceive yon-
der over the walls. The spectre moves
not its lips, and yet it appears to me as il
L hear voice directing me: "Ihere, near
the ruined ace-house, uoder the taUo linae
trees gro0ing out Of one stem, shalt thou &c
and search!" 1t ceases not to make signs
and to supplicate, till daylight once more
glimmers on mine eyes; and | awake,
cannot saw to a"lf E-~--'' nj, ~" '''~-'o II 0'
rble impressions are indellible."
Both, for some time, remained thought
ful and in silence, while, from the doubt
and perplexity of his companion, Wolfe
found himself, by contrast, growing more
energetic and resolute SHOULD it appea1
again tonight" said he, Il shall follow th'
ghost must cut this mysterious kno
with one bold stroke, otherwise it will con
tinue to enervate both soul and body"
"Indeed! are you determined?' ?' said hi
comrade.
"Why not?" said Wolfe.
"This requires consideration" said tn
other. "Who knows what you may come t.
see there's"
''That's all one," said Wolfe; 81 mus
know the secret import of this visitation
otherwise | can have no rest"
His comrade played with the tassels {
his laced helmet, and was silent. 1t nov
lightened at distance, and began also t
rain. Wolfe stepped to the window
"You must go now!" said he to his con
rade, "for, at all events, your presence cal
not~be of any service to me in this affai
A ghost seldom deals with more than or
individual at time" He took leave
his friend, therefore, after having escorte
him to the door, and said at parting
'Have no fears on my accountable goo
ness Of Heaven will support mep' He hs
scarcely uttered these words when, Wi
great emotion, he recollected how wish
near to him Providence had frequent
been in battle; and how often, amid diff
Guilty and danger, short, tranquil pray
had stilled the anxiety Of his heart, and /
called his wandering senses. When
had returned from seeing his comra
down stairs, scolded Lynx into quietne
and summoned all his self-possession,
extinguished the light, kneeled in corn
of the room, and with heartfelt devotit
offered up prayer. After this his trs
guilty was perfectly restored. He b
even degree of pleasure in listening
the majestic thunder that sublimely roll
over the yet living town, and attracted
attention Of its varied inhabitants, VIII,
eyes, from time to time, were dazzled a
, blinded by the sudden and vivid lightni
Towards morning Though there was
: no duyight,) Wolfe began to close
4 eyes, exhausted and harassed. Not Il
! after, his nightly visitor placed itself n
f him. Its gestures were now more earl
\ and anxious; and it appeared to Wolfe
: his sleep, as if Lynx barked very loud,
d seized and dragged him by the arm
r. was fearfully agitated, in vain strife
is tween sleeping and waking, with the
: bility at first to break from his dream.
r last a frightful CLEAN of lightning filled
J. apartment, and forced him out of hi
D. most deadly combat. Instantly he spr
l. out of bed-rain and wind rattled viol
If ly on the windows-the garden oppC
m seemed wrapt in flames. Wolfe be
: nolhing around him but fire and dev.
e. ton, yet the loud thunder gave him c
" age He took his mantle from the
= wrapt himself in it, carried his sabre u
rs his arm, whistled for Lynx, who, teri
a by the thunder, ran moaning backw
" and forwards, and, trusting in God. pro,
nd ed on his way.
" In the house all, on account of the ST
ID, were awake. He found the door half
and stepped into the court. The low
Ve- clouds swept over hint seemed a