Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-02-12
SUPERNATURAL VISIT TIoN OF A
-I BROTHER To HIS SISTER.
BY WILLIAM HowITT.

memories; having occurred, ABOUT tue tlne
of my birth, at my fathers house az Heanor,
in Derbyshire, when | myself was porn;
irncomnon one, which do not recollect TO
have met with, except in q story of Miss
LesIie's. MY mother had two brothers,
Francis and Richard. The younger, Richard,
/ knew well, for he lived to an old age. The
elder, Francis, was, at the time fhe occur
rance am about to report, gay young man,
about twenty, unmarried, handsome, frank,
sffectionate, and extremely beloved by all
classes throughout that part Of the country.
He is described, in that age of powder and
niOtails. as wearing his auburn hair flowing
IN rinpiets on his shoulders, like another
Atsalom, and was much admired as well for
his personal grace as for the life and gaiety
of his manners. ID
shortly after confinement but perfectly
convaiescent, was lying in bed, enjoying
from her window the sense ofsummer beauty
and repose; q bright sky above, and the vii
lace before her. In this state she was glad
dened by hearing footsteps which she took
to be those of her brother Frank, as he was
faniiArly called, approaching the chamber
door. The visitor knocked and entered.
The foot of the bed was toward the door; and
the curtains at the foot, Notwithstanding the
season, were drawn, to prevent any draught.
Her brother parted them, and looked in upon
her. His gate was earnest and destitute of
its usual cheerfulness, and he spoke not
word.
.lssMy dear Frank" said my mother, show
glad am to see you! Come round to the
bedside; wish to have some talk with you."
He closed the curtains as complyingi but
instead of doing so, my mother, TO her aston
ishment, heard him leave the room, close the
door behind him, and begin to descend the
stairs Greatly amazed, she hastily rang,
and when her maid appeared, she bade her
call her brother back. The girl replied that
she had not seen him enter the house. But
my mother insisted, saying, HE was here
but this instant Run, quicki Call him
back must see himP
The girl hurried away, but after a time re-
turned, saving that she could learn nothing
of him anywhere, nor had any one iu or
about the house seen him either enter or de-
part.
tom of the village, and close to the high
road. which was quite straight 80 that any
one passing along it must have been seen for
much longer period than had elapsed. The
girl said she had looked up and down the
road then searched the garden-a large, old
fashioned one, with shady walks. But
neither in the garden nor on the road was he
to be seen. She had inquired at the nearest
cottages in the village but no one had seen
MIN pass. a # .I. ......
@My mother, though very pious, woman,
was far from superstitious; yet the strange
ness of this circumstance struck her forcibly.
While she lay pondering upon it, there was
heard sudden running and excited talking
in the village street. My mother listened; it
increased, though up to that time the village
had been profoundly still and she became
convinced hat something unusual had oc-
Cured. Again she rang the bell, to inquire
he oauea of the .diqfnrhauea This TINA n
was the monthly nurse who answered it.
She sought to tranquilize my mother, as a
nurse usually does patient. "0h, it's moth
ing particular, ma am" she said; "some
trifii1g affair."" which she pretended TO re-
late, passing lightly over the. particulars.
But her Unsurpassed agitation did not
escape my mothers eye. Tell me the truth"
she said, Sat once. am certain something
very sad has happened" The woman still
Squivocated, greatly fearing the effect upon
my mother in her then situation. And at
first the family Joined in the attempt at
concealment. Finally, however, my moth
er's alarm and earnest entreaties drew from
them the terrible truth that her brother had
Just been stabbed at the top of the village
and killed on the spot.
This melancholy event had thus occurred +:
Ny uncle, Francis Tantum had been dining
at Sbipley Hall, with Mr.. Edward Miller
Aundy, Member of Parliament for the
county. Shipley Hall lay off to the left of
the Villuge, as you looked up the main road
from my fathers house, and about mile
distant from it; while Heanor Hall, my
fathers residence was situated to the right
the road from the one country. seat TO the
other crossing, st nearly right angles, the
upper portion of the village street, at a point
where stood one of the two village inns
the Admiral Rodney, respectfully kept by
the Widow H--ks. remember her WE'LL
tall, hne-lOoking woman, who must have
been handsome in her youth, and who re
tained, even past middle age, an air superio
to her condition. She had one only child
q son, then scarcely twenty. He was good
looking, brisk young fellow, and bore yer
fair character. He must, however as tn
event showed, have been Of very hast
temper.
Francis Tantum, riding home from ShiI
ley Hall, after the early country dinner tha
day, somewhat elated, it may be with win
stopped at the widows inn and bade the 80
bring him a glass of ale. Az the latt,
turned 10 obey, my uncle, giving the Youi
smart switch across the back with
ridiDg-whip, cried out in his joking wa
NOW be quick, Dick; be quickP'
The young man, instead of receiving Il
playful stroke a. jest, took it as an insu
He rushed into the house, snatched up
carving knife and, darting back into &
street, stabbed my uncle to the heart, as
sat on his horse, so that be fell dead on 4
instant, in the road. ~
The sensation Throughout the quiet villa
may be imagined. The inhabitants, vi
idOiized the murdered man, were prevent
from taking summary vengeance on I
homicide only by the constable's carryil
him OF TO the efice Of the nearest mag
tTate.
Young H--ks was tried at the ne
Derby assizes and (justly, no doubt, TAXI
into view the sudden irritation caused by I
bloW) he was convicted of manslaughi
returned TO the village, where, notwithstaI
ing the strong popular feeling against hi
be continued 70 keep the Inn, even after
mothers death He Is st.n present to l