Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-07-24
Gaurtester 9ailg Spy.
A HAUNTED LIFE.

HAUNTED LIFE.
1t is a relief inexpressbe that the man is
dead. AS looked upon his face and saw the
fierce, terrified expression which even in the
repcse of death still fingered about the half.
closed eyes and rigid blue lips, and though in
that presence l could have no hope that his
spirit had found rest gave thanks that his
life on earth was ended. What was there in
this man more than in others that the punish
ment OF his crime should be so much heavier
than that of other sinners, that it should be
taken out of the hand OF man, and inflicted by
whom, or what, l cannot tell?
1t is three years since first made the ac-
quaintance Of John Temple. We met in trav-
cling. was a stranger in a strange land,
and his perfect knowledge of the route
made me gratefully accept his offer of assist
ance and companiorship He was many
years older than l, possessed of great deal
of general information, and able to converse
pleasingy and intelligently upon any topic
that presented itself during our journey.
While willing to speak on any subject of gen.
eral interest, he was extremely reserved about
himself; and though before long had told
him most of my personal and family history,
he made no return of confidence. From his
conversation l gathered that he had either
lived abroad or travelled very extensively /;
and this was literally all that learned of him
ter travelling together for nearly a week and
when gave him my address and urged his
visiting me, he accepted the invitation, but did
not return the compliment. 1t was during his
visit that witnessed for the first time the in
explicable phenomena of one OF his attacks of
illpess
/ was then, as now, a bachelor, and had
lodgings in the Albany, and, the evening prov.
ing violently stormy, l had little difficulty in
night. l offered him my bed, but he prefer
red the couch by the fire, saying he would
throw himself down upon it when weary
without the trouble Of undressing. This ar
rangement made, locked the outer door (my
rooms open one within the other) and, light
ing fresh cigars, we seemed to take a new
lease Of the evening,
K The tempest still howled outside, and, as
gust fiercer than any before shook the window
frame, | turned to congratulate my friend on
being under shelter, instead of being exposed
to The storm on his way home. When had
last observed him he was laZly reclining on
the couch in posture between sitting am ly.
ing +; now as looked he sprang suddenly to
his feet and stood gazing intently at the oppo-
site wall while there gathered in his face
fierce expression of terror such as had never
before seen. Instinctively l rose and looked
at the wall, but saw nothing in its blank ex.
panse to account for Temples intensity of
gaze. Next moment he advanced two or three
steps across the room, and threw himself into
an attitude OF defence, as though warding off
q blow. With his left arm raised to the level
of his eyes, he appeared to strike something
with the clenched fist of his right hand l say,
to Strike something" for though could see
nothing in the space before me, the blow was
certainly not given in the air, but stopped
short with tremendous force, as though met
by some opposing object
was too much appalled, to speak, and stood
blindly staring at my friend, who began to
breath heavily, / could have imagined from
the way in which he rceled backward that
from time TO lime he received violent blows,
and still the fight continued tor that it was
fight deadly struggle, l soon became con-
WINGED, though could see only one of the
COMPLAINTS Before long it was very plain
that Temple had the worst of it his blows
we're feebler, his breathing more oppressed,
and his face became livid as death. Wrought
up 10 the intensest pitch of excitement and
agitation, felt spell bound unable to move,
moment, and he went down as | have seen
man 90 down before a heavy blow on the head
and as he fell he broke the silence, hitherto,
undisturbed except by his laboured breathing,
bv veil of what seemed to me mortal terror
rather than pain.
/ sprang to him, and, finding him insensl-
BILE, dragged him upon the couch, and tried 10
revive him. But the swoon was an obstinate
one and a sudden fear that he was dead sent
me out into the stormy night for medical help.
Physicians abound in that neighbOrhood, and
/ was fortunate in speedily obtaining one with
whom was slightly acquainted.
Merely telling him that a friend who was
spending the night at my rooms had been at.
tackled by fainting, and that my efforts TO re-
cover him having proved unayaIling, had
sought his assistance, | hurried with him to
my lodgings.
Temple lay on the couch as l had left him,
pale and nsensible. Dr. Simpson felt his
pulse, and l thought looked puzzled. Bring
pillow, Mr. Johnson" he said, land raise
his head"
l did as he requested. could have sworn
that the man was dead and l will confess
that my pulse quickened as the thought of an
Inquest crossed my mind, and how impossible
it would be for me to explain the eXtraordlna-
ry scene that had witnessed l was reused
from my thoughts by the physicians voice,
sharp and quick
"This is hot mere fainting. He has had
blow upon the head. You should have told
me of this at once, the wound may lie danger
GUS"
The wound And l saw upon the pillow
dark crimson stains of blood. ] was petnhed;
for / was certain that in his fall his head had
not struck az inst anything likely TO produce
such a wound as the one / now saw. 1t was
nearly two inches in length, and of rough,
jagged appearance.
Dr. Simpson went on sharply. as he busted
himself with preparations for dressing the
wound, Chow long has he been in this state,
and what has done this 2"
answered, upon my soul l do not know.
He seemed to me, when this taintlng attacked
him, TO fall on the floor without striking against
anything"
'Impossible Did lie strike the fender?
tell YOU Mr.. johnson, that this is not fainting
at all, but dangerous state of insenslbillty
brought on by this blow on the head"
stood by the fire lost in confusing thought.
l was sure that this wound was caused by the
blow which had Frustrated him at the close of
that glastly fight; but had not seen the blow
given, though had seen 1t received; and
appear like a mailman, and complicate an at.
fair already sufficiently puzzing, especially
as DIR. Simpson seemed satisfied that the wound
had been produced by striking against the
sharp iron work OF the fender i'll his fall. l
was reused again by the sharp voice:
tThere, MIR. johnson, that will do. never
saw such a wound from such cause. Now
I'll give him five minutes, and 1t my remedies
produce no effect in that time, then l must
bleed him, and he took his ancets from his
pocket selected one, and laid il on the table /;
-"You say he tainted and fell 2"
EYES," answered doggedly. l was in no
mood for COW 4rsation about it.
He seemed to observe my unwillingness to
speak, and, turning towards the couch, SAID,
rs thouph sneakiuu TO himself.