The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-09

without the slightest fear Of u nocturna
visitor from the other world.
But, although | scof at white ladies'
bleeding nuns, et hoe genus Omne, there i.
a species Of supernatural occurrence IL
which AIN, | confess, an unwilling ant
hcsitating believer.
The circumstances ! am about to relate
are Of this nature, and were told inc by an
intimate friend Of mine, as having lately
occurred to relation of his own.
give the story as he gave it to me
namely, in the words as nearly as possible
CT the principal actor in it.
Two years ago, towards the end OF the
London season, weary of the noise and
hustle that for the last three months had
been ccaselcssly going on around me,
determined upon seeking few days rest
and quiet in the country. The next eve.
ming saw me comfortably installed in O
pretty farm house about two miles from
the cathedral ". The little cottage
in which had taken up my quarters be-
longcd to an old servant Of my fathers
and had long been fav0iitc resort oI
miEc when wishing for quiet aud fresh
air.
The evening Of the second day after my
arrival was unusually close aud suliry
even for the season Of the year. Weary
with the heat, and somewhat satcd with
the two days experience had enjoyed ol
quiet country life, ! went up TO my bed
room about halfpa> ten, with the inten.
ton Of taking refuge from the enhui which
was growing on me, in good long nights
sleep. Finding, however, the heat an in,
>uperable obstacle to closing my eyes,
got up, put on my dressing gown, and
lighting n cigar, sat down at the open win
dow, and drcamily gazcd out on the gar.
den in front Of the cottage. Before INT
several low Hat meadows stretched down
to the river, which separated US from th,
towa. In the distance the massive towers
ol the cathedral appeared in strong ant
bright relief against the sky. The whol,
landscape indeed was bathcd in flood o
light from the clear summer moon.
was gradually getting sleepy, and be
ginning to think Of turning in, when
heard soft, clear voice, proceeding appa
rcntly from one just beneath my window
saying,
"Gcorgc, George, be quick You ART
wanted in the town"
Immediately looked from the window
and although the moon still shOne mos
brilliantly, somewhat to my surprise
could see no one. Thinking, however
that it was some friend of my landlord!
who was begging him to come into towI
upon business, | turned from the window
and getting into bed, in few minutes wa'
fast asleep.
must have slept about three hours
when awokc with sudden start, ant
with shivcring gooseskin" feeling al
over me. Fancying that this was caused
by the morning air from the open window
| was getting cut of bed to close it, wh.I
heard the same voice proceeding from
the very window itself.
George, be quick! You are wanted
in the town."
These words produced an indcscribabl
effect upon me. ! trembled from head L
foot, and, with curious creeping abou
the roots Of the hair, stood and listened
Hearing nothing more, | walked quickl.
to the window, and locked out, As be
fore, nothing was to be seen. stood il
the shade Of the curtain for some min
utes, watching for the speaker to shoV
himself, and then laughing at my own ncr
vousness, closed the window and returnc,
to bed.
The gray morning light was now grad
ually OverSpreading the heavens, and day
light is antagOniStic to all those fears tha
under cover OF the darkness will steal Il
times over the boldest. In spite Of this,
could not shake off the uncOmiortaOl
feeling produced by that voice. Vainly
tried to close my eyes. Eyes RENAME
obstinately open ears sensitivcly alive
the smallest sound.
Some half-hour had elapsed, when agai
| felt the same chill stealing over mt. =
With the perSpiration standing on IN
forehead, ] started 0p'in bed, and listene
with all my might. AN instant Of dea
silence, and the mysterious voice +"
lowed:
"Gcorgc, be quick! You must go int
the town."
The voice was in the room-nay, mor'
by my very bed side. The miserable tea
that came over inc, cannot describe.
felt that the words were addressed to m'
and that by no human mouth.
Hearing nothing more, l slowly got OF
of bed, and by every means in my POwc
convinced myself that was wide awake
and not dreaming. Looking at myself
the glass on the dressing table, l was I
first shocked, and then, in spite Of mysel
somewhat amused, by the pallid hue an
scared expression of my cOuntenance.
grinned a CHASTITY grin at mysel
whistled bit Of polka, and got into be
again.
l had q horrible sort Of notion that SON
one was looking at me, and that it woul
never do to let them see that was tt
least uneasy.
soon found out however, that bc'
under the circumstances, was a mlStak
and determined to get up, and calm M
nerves in the fresh morning air.
Idressed hurriedly, with many loo
over my shoulder, keeping Hs much I
possible to one corner'Of the room, whcI
nobody could get behind me. The gra
in front of my window was glistening vii
the heavy morning dew, on which no to
could press without leaving very visib
trace.
searched the whole garden thOroug
ly, but no sign could l see Of any pcrs'
having been there. .
Pondcring over the events Of the nigt
which, in spite Of broad daylight and col
mon sense, persisted in assuming a som
what supernatural aspect, ! Wander
across the meadow towards the river,
q (ootpath which led to tho ferry. As
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