M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1861-02-28

restless O night. OOme one III TIE
house, or next door, kept up con-
tinual moaning, and the strange part
Of it was that when | arose to listen,
fearing some one was i'll or dying, tho
sound ceased, until ! once more placed
my head upon the pillow, when they
were resumed more loudly than before.
at one time thought the other tel-
lows were trying to frighten me about
the hand, but there was no chance Of
that. You remember my little pet
hand, Greystockl | have II bottled in
spirits in q private cupboard, where
my laundress, who once tainted at the
sight of a skeleton, will never be
alarmed by IT."
He spoke merrily, but there was
something about him different FROM
his usual manner, | thought, as we
went out to breakfast together. 1t was
ioggy morning, and the streets were
very dreary. There weie but few peo
pie abroad, but as we turned corner,
we came face to face with a woman,
whose head was bent upon her bosom,
and who was moaning bitterly. She
wore no bonnet, and was dressed in
white, but the mud and rain had
drenched and drabbled her until she
was pitiable object to behold. |
paused and spoke to her.
What is the matterl' asked. Can
| do anything to help you9'
AS ! spoke, the weman raised her
eyes, and showed me a face, the beau
tiful features OF which were Of an ash
en- pallor; then, without speaking,
held both her arms toward me. Upon
the left there was NO hand. In my as.
tonishment stepped aside, and, as
did so, the white robed figure glided
past me, and vanished in the fog. In
vain we looked for her. She was gone
beyond our sight or hearing.
That is strange said, turning tc
Robert. How miserable the rool
creature looked
And my poor friend turning from
me a cheek of ashy paleness, mutteret
between lis teeth: The left hand
too. Good heavens!'
We breakfasted together, bu
throughout the meal Robert Redla,
was utterly unlike himself. No merr
! jests passed bis lips, no laugh ran
, out upon the air, and, every now an
then his eyes fixed themselves upoI
| vacancy, as one whose thoughts ar
far away are prone to do. AS 70
: myself was also strangely low.spir
+ tied and distracted.
For a week subsequent to that da
t | saw nothing of my friend, but at til
end of that time | went to call nqol
him. Bob was standing by the mantl
when | entered the room, but he turn
t cd toward me, and came forward wit
| both hands outstreched. 'My dea
Greystock,' he said: Il am 80 glad t
| see you. should have come afte
you to-day if you had not found you
way here. DO you know have bee
i'll since we last metz
Il am sorry to hear that Ireplied
Yes, extremely illP continues
Robert. 4 caught cold that nigh
in the damp grave yard, and have bee
} fegerish and delirious. | believe
would not pass such another week
Greyttpck, Tor all the diamonds of tn
Golconda.' 20. ..'.s.
He paused a moment and then
, drawing closer to me, placed his han
upon my shoulder, Don't mention ]
to the other fellows he said: but
absolutely imagined that saw fac
looking at me from your window, an
A that a tall womap's figure, dressed i
white, and having only one hand-th
g left one was gone = stood upon til
! parapet of the next roof, and wave
a her arms toward me. Such a ma
. idea, you know, for there is scarcely
!, foothold upon it for a monkey, !,
r alone woman. r. t'.
e But these fancies have left 20
8 now,' | said. y
Yes, l hope they have replie
:, Robert; 4 have suffered from no o.
r tical delisior for two days, but
e wish that that terrible groaning coul
p be put a stop to. lhear it every mig
e but | cannot persuade myself that it
|. the work of my imagination, yet I
one in the house is i'll, and my Ian,
| lady will not confess that she has ov,
n heard the slightest noise Greystot
it must be a terrible thing to be il
G sane t-g
9 Put such fancies out of your min
}, Robert 1 said. The truth is, yc
IS have been feverish, and the rerneml
}. rance of your silly piece Of work wit
n that hand has acted upoun your min
s and caused these apparitions. TAX
my advice, my dear fellow, and al
}, stain from the punch bowl and wiz
& cup; they will lead any one into con
d mitt;ng foolish if not criminal action
7. Come, let US 60 into the open air I