The mountain Democrat., 1863-09-12
THE sPRCTER's VISITS.

them betrayed the secret
&SAS%
THE SPRCTER'S VISITS.
Toward the close of the year 49,, I
went with my children to spend some
time at the quiet watering place Of s.;
had Just recovered from a dangerous
illness, and had been recommended by
my medical advisers in London to pass
the ensuing winter in the mild climate Of
the southwest Of England. At s. |
found a house which in all respects suited
me, and | took it by the month, promis-
ing to give the place trial before fixing
myself there for the winter. The house
| hired was handsomely furnished and
fitted up. pleasantly situated, with Slo-
pirg lawn in front, and garden, shell
tered by some fine old trees. behind, and
the rent was, all its advantages consd-
cred. uncommonly low. soon eStab-
lished myself in it, much to my satisiac-
tinn. But the weather was becoming
cold, and found it necessary to have a
fire in nv bedroom. Unfortunately, the
one had selected, from its being cheer
ful, airy apartment, smoked, and the art
Of the chinney-Sw eeper was resorted to
in vain. I am rather Asthmatic, there
fore was compelled to evacuate my 9TH
erwiSc pleasant room, and to take posses
sion of large gloomy y.looking apartment
in what seemed to be wing Of the house.
This remote chamber was situated at the
extreme end Of long, narrow passage; !;
it was spacious, and opened into an inner
room, or dressing room, which again COM
municated with private staircase.
The windows of these rooms were in
gothic style, high and arched, the paper
ing was Of dusky hue, and the curtains
Of the bed were of the darkest shade Of
green. In short all around was so som
Der that felt a corresponding tinge Of
gloom as returned to my new apartment
for the night; but | stirred the fire, it
blazed brightly, and was free from my
enemy-smoke committed myself to
my pillow, and soon found the repose l
sought. How long | slept soundly do
not know, but after time my dreams be-
came dreadfully disturbed; l started up,
and thought | heard the door Of my
room, which led to the dressng.room and
to the back staircase, open and shut. |
listened-there was no repetition Of the
sound-all partook Of the deep, dead still
ness Of night; felt extremely drowsy,
and soon slept again. Again my fancy
was busy with horrid things. I dreamed
that a Withholding, bloody figure was
standing by my bed and glaring with
fiery eyes at me from 6eshless sockets
| was sensible Of intense agony, and /
thought l tainted from absolute fright.
After q time | seemed to come to myself;
the dreadful figure had vanished; ] at
tempted to scream out, but the power of
utterance seemed denied to me. At length
after long struggling with what after
wards concluded was an attack OF night
mare, shook off my uneasy sleep, and
hailed, with sense of transport and Sc
curity, the first faint dawn of day | rose
unrelreshed, but after breathing awhile
the pure morning air, its viyifying influ-
ence restored my harrassed spirits to their
usual equanimity, and the little dnties
and occurrences of the day baniShed
from my mind the painful impression Of
its midnight vision. As nightapproached,
however, | felt the same reluctance to re-
tire TO my gloomy. and distant dormitory,
but | was not so weak as to give way to
such folly, and conquering my unpleaS-
ant sensations, again took possession n
the couch with dark green curtains. |
slept calmly and we'll and after occupy
ing that apartment for few days, | be-
gan to forget altogether my singular
dream.
About this time was invited to spend
an evening at the house Of the oldest med
ical practitioner i'll the town. lie had
been called in previously to attend one Of
my children who was unwcll, and his
wife had, in consequence Of this introduc-
ton, paid me visit. | was n stranger in
S.. and DR.. and Mrs Graham were no.
ted for their hospitality, which they were
50 good as to extend to me On arriving
at their house found about fourteen per.
sons assembled, 20 some of whom | was
introduced. Cards were the order of the
evening, for the good people Of S-were
invcterate card players, and whist was
the favolitc game. ! never play at cards
anu WHlSl - u IDc dll uHIdtJouIdpic tutS
terry so, after much entreaty. many ex-
cuses, and repeated prOteStationS Of my
utler incapacity to take hand" |
made good my escape from the card Ia
hlcs, and was permitted to join two ladies,
who, like myself, preferred conversation
or silence even if there were no other re-
sources. My companions were not very
similar in age or appearance ; the one was
an old lady, who had assurcdly passed
the whole of that underlined and undetin-
able period known BY the uncertain name
of a "certain age;" the other was
young married woman. whose Hebe coun-
tcnance and laughing black eyes plainly
told that she was little acquainted with
care, and that she preferred II Allegro to
II Penseroso. After discussing the pref
ty scenery and the pretty walks around
S., the accommodations it afforded for
strangers, and the prices and qualities Of
It's market, the advantage Of its climate
I'm mentioned. ~ don't know" said
the black eyed lady, III can not quite
agree in the mildness Of its climate-at
least, we don't experience it where we
live, on the top of that horrid hill"
L" 1t is a very airy situation," observed
the old lady.