The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-12-02
BEDFORD, Pa, FRIDAY. MORNING, DECEMBER 2, 1864.

silvery brilhaney. could distinguish every
thing with the greatest minuteness.
In the centre Of the room stood slight spec
y trail form in its slenderness, with face whit
as marble, masses Of black hair flowing dow
over her sable garments-The shadowy hand
were locked together; the great, mild, dark eye
were fixed upon my face with an expression o
terror and wonder.
advanced to Inc side of the phantom form
Whether it was ghost or living wemaD Z knsp
not but was resolved to take no siop back.
wards
The sweetest, saddest voice ever heard, ad.
dressed me-
! "Jho arc you? Why are yon here
'!Why am here depends upon circumstan-
ces."
] paused, for I was uncertain whether | was
speaking to the flesh or the spirit
60 she cried, springing toward me and
taking my hand in both of hers SO soft and
warm, ''only say that you have come 60 take
me away from here! Only release me and
will be your slave forever"
The suspicion that had all along been form
ing itself in my mind, broke cut in the abrupt
question:
'Are you Margaret Hampton? %
''YearS ago [ was called So"
"Eood God and where have you been since
that Christmas night?"
''Here, always-Oh, sir, if ycu knew the
half have suffered, you would take me a.
way"
replied by taking her i'll my arms and bear
ing her down over the stairs to life and free
DON once Aore. 1t was the happiest moment
of NY existence when | stood with her on the
green sward in front of Hampton's Death, with
the silver rain of the obstructed moonlight fall
ing over US.
She shivered at the touch of the night air
How very long It had been since she had felt
tae free, fresh air. / took off my coat and but
toned it around her, placing her in the shadow
o. a tall fir tree, that she might have the sup
port of its rugged trunk.
You viii not be afraid to stay here while I
get my horse ?" l asked
''Where is 1t p
''At Carl Jansen's hotel
l thought she shuddered at the name-my
suspicious were fast taking tangible form
Yes, will stay--but, on you will not de-
1 think OF II - L eXcIauueu, anu
the fields to the hostlery. was young and en-
thusiastic then My plan was all formed. Plu-
to was strong and willing, he could carry US
both easily, and / got on his back, feeling for
the noble fellow an affection as strong as that
of man for his brother. He needed no ur-
oinc; he seemed wild to get away from the VI
cinity of the Black Bear and It was hardly
FIVE minutes before | had Margaret Hampton
mn before me. With one hand guided the
horse, and the other arm held the slight form to
NV side-I was afraid | should lose her if
did not hold fast
Half an hours brisk galop brought US TO
the little village of Lowridge, and soon after
had the landlord of the Globe House out ct
bed and very much at my service.
took Margaret into the parlor, and made
her tell me her story in as few words as pos
sible The landlord was magistrate, and
took down her statement Two hours after
ward was on my way to the Black BeaI, with
four constables aud warrant for the arrest OF
Carl Jansen on the change of murde-.
We entered the tavern without ceremony,
! aud took the guilty wretch in bed by the side
of his equally guilty wife.
/ He was lodged in the county JAIL and the
next afternoon a judicial examination took place
Marsarets testimony was amply sufficient tt
| convict him, and he was taken TO the place o
his confinement to await his trial at higher
court.
Three days after wards he was found dead II
his cell. He had died from the effects OF poi
son brought him by his wife; and the sam'
dav she too was seized with fatal Illness tina
in five hours ended her life. Justice vas De
frauded of its dues.
Jansen left writ en- confession in full. II
entered upon all the horrible details with fend
ish 1ainuteness; ard long and eloquently ol
the skill with which he avoided detection.
1t was as had expected.
Mrs. Jansen being the next her after Mar
Garet TO the Hampton wealth the wretche
couple had formed the plan OF numbering tn
whole family, in order 10 secure the property
+ A night when all the servants we're away at
+ Christmas festival was selected, and he dee
was done; only Jansen could not find 1t IN hi
; heart TO sacrihcs Margaret. There was a ter
der spot in the villains nature after al-Lon
I ago, in his early manhood, he had loved we
man of whose face Margaret's was the cour
terpart. This woman had died in her youn
:, innocence in her lovers arms, and for the saF
;. of that tender memory, the girl, who resemble
her was spared But she had been kept
E close prisoner; every one believed her Dead an
r SO she was, to all intcnts and purposes. JaI
g sen had carried her food at stated intervals
4 and encouraged the prevailing belief that Il
> old house wag haunted, to the best of his
y bility The young man who had gone to pa
I the night had been frightened by some diabc
NJ ical contrivance of Jansen's; and only csc
ped a similar fate by keeping my intentions
u going there a secret.
as took Margaret at once to my mother
er Boston, and then, as the associations of her ea
as ly home were SO painful 10 her, | sold ont t
property and placed the proceeds to her cred