Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-21
[From the London Packet.2
REAL EXPERIENCE,

tricities OF that nature. refuse credence
to the best authenticated ghost story, (mind
you, ghost story pnr Ct simplex
can sleep in the gloomiest haunted room,
in the gloomiest haunted house, without the
slightest fear Of nocturnal visit from the
other world.
But, although sooff at white ladies,
bleeding nuns, ct hoe genus onne, there is
species Of supernatural occurrence in which
1 am, confess, an unwilling and hesitating
believer.
The circumstances ! am about to relate
are of this nature, and we're told me by an
intimate friend Of mine, as having lately
occurred to a relation of his own.
give the story as he gave it to me,
namely, in the words MS nearly as possible
Of the principal actor in it.
Two years ago, toward the end of the
London season, weary of the noise and
hustle that for the last three months had
been ceaselessly going on around me, de-
termined upon seeking few days rest and
quiet in the country. The next evening
saw me comfortably installed in pretty
farmhouse, about two miles from the ca
thedral town of Y. The little cottage
in which had taken up my quarters be-
longed to an old servant Of my fathers, and
had long been favorite resort of mine
when wishing for quiet and fresh air.
The evening of the second day after my
arrival was unusually close and sultry,
even for the time of year. Weary with the
heat, and somewhat sated with the two
days experience had enjoyed of a quiet
country life, I went up to my bedroom
about halfpast ten, with the intention of
taking refuge from the ennW which was
growing on me, in good long nights
sleep. Finding, however, the heat an in
superable obstacle to closing my eyes, got
up, put on my dressing gown, and lighting
a cigar, sat down at the open window, and
dreamily gazed out on the garden in front
of the cottage. Before me several low, fiat
meadows stretched down to the river, which
separated us from the town. In the dis
tance the massive towers of the cathedral
appeared in strong and bright reliefagainst
the sky. The whole landscape, indeed, was
bathed in flood of light from the clear
summer moon.
was gradually getting sleepy and be-
ginning to think of turning in, when heard
a soft, clear voice, proceeding apparently
from some one just beneath my window,
saying;
George, George, be quick You are
wanted IN the town..
l Immediately looked from the window
and although the moon still shone most
brilliantly, somewhat to my surprise could
see no one. Thinking, however, that it was
some friend of my landlords, who was beg
ging him to come into the town upon bus
mess, turned from the window, and get
ting into bed, in few minutes was fast
asleep.
must have slept about three hours, when
l awoke with sudden start and with a
shivering goose-skin" feeling all over me,
Fancying that this was caused by the morn
ing air from the open window, was getting
out of bed to close it, when l heard the same
voice proceeding from the very window it.
self
George, be quick You are wanted in
the town"
These words proSuccd an indescribable
effect upon me. l trembled from head to
foot, and with q curious creeping about the
roots of the hair, stood and listened. Hear
ing nothing more, walked quickly to thC
window, and looked out. As before nothing
was to be seen. | stood in the shade of the
curtain for some minutes, watching for the
speaker to show himself and then laughing
at my own nervousness, closed the window
and returned TO bed.
The gray morning light was now gradu-
ally overspreading the heavens and day
light is antagonistic to all those fears which
under cover Of the darkness, will steal al
times over the boldest. In spite of this,
could not shake off the uncomfortable feel
ing produced by that voice. Vainly tried
10 close my eyes. Eyes remained obstinately
open ears sensitively alive to the smalles
sound.
Some half hour had elapsed, when agliI
felt tie same chill stealing over me. Witt
the perspiration standing on my forehead
started up in bed and listened with al
my might An instance of dead silence
and the mysterious voice followed:
George, be quick! You must go into the
town"
The voice was in theroom-nay, more, by
my very bed side The miserable fear that
came over me can not attempt to describe
felt that the words were addressed to me
and that by no human mouth.
Hearing nothing more, l slowly got out o
bed, and byevery means in my power con
WINGED myself that l was wide awake, anC
not dreaming. Looking at myself in th
glass on the dressing table, | was at frs
shocked, and then, in spite ofmyself, some
what amused, by the pallid hue and scared
expression of my countenance.
/ grinned a ghastly grin at myself
whistled bit Of polka, and got into be(
again.
| had horrible sort of notion that SOM
one was looking at me, and that it wOulC
never do to let them see that l was the leas
uneasy.
soon found out however, that bed, un
der the circumstances, was mistake, and
determined to get up, and calm my nerve!
in the fresh morning air.
l dressed hurriedly, with many look
over my shoulder keeping as much as pos
sible to one corner Of the room, where no
body could get behind me. The grass il
front of my window was glistening will
the heavy morning dew, on which no foo
coaid press without leaving visible trace
searched the whole garden thoroughly
but no sign could l see ofany person having
been there.
Pondering over the events of the night
which, in spite Of broad daylight and com
mon sense, persisted in assuming some
what supernatural aspect, wandered acros
the meadows, toward the river, by foot
path which led TO the ferry. AsI drew nea
10 the boatmans cottage l saw him standing
at his door, looking up the path by which
was approaching As soon as he saw me
he turned and walked down to his boa
where he awaited my arrival.
"You are early on foot, my friend, TIL
morning" said /, as Joined him.
Early, sir" answered he, in a SOM
what grumbling tone; "yes, it is early, 81
r. a.