Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-08
village priests only laughed and said that mine

Nonsense" said my uncle, 'sdon't call i
 kindness to save friend a miles walk i,
 weather in which it is not fit for dog to pu
 his nose out of his kennel"
 Bah! the weather will not penetrate ou
 thick greatcoats; so, if that is all you fear
 good night!'
 "Ah ]! but, argued my uncle, 'tbat is not al fear. You know how many persons have
 lately been pulled up by highwaynien, and have
 their pockets rifed, and been seriously discom
 forted in many ways. Come, give up the idea
 of going home, asd stay here instead"
 "Ha, ha, ha" laughed the attorney; "so we
 are to be pickpecketed during short mile's walk, which we have taken hundreds of times
 on many darker nights and at later hours, too
 No, no I:reafly believe you are nervous your self, and want us to stay and help to frighten away the bogies. Is it not so ?' a '-
 .-"No, indeed," retorted nay uncle "I am far too matter of fact to trouble my head about bogies, material or imu,ateral, until they really make their appearance at the chateau." | My uncle's manner seemed, however, to be- lie his words: for he gave a nervous little cough which he tried to convert into laugh as he finally shook hands with his friends and thus they departed. 4.
 1 It was indeed fearful night. Every mo- ment the wind rose higher and higher, and blew around the old mansion with such violence that it seemed to threaten destruction to the very walls. It was about eleven o'clock when my uncle retired to his room This was large old fashioned chamber, quite in keeping with the rest of the castle; it's walls were gloomy with the tapestry of an ancient date j; the door was hung in such manner that it was difficult to detect whether it opened from within or without, or indeed whether any door existed at all. Opposite was fire place, which instead of a stove contained iron dogs on which blazed bright wood fire.
 Between the door and the fireplace was large bay window, in which stood the dressing. table; oil the table was large looking glass, gloomily refecting the heavy looking four-post bed. As may be supposed from what has al- ready been said, dressing his head for the night formed no inconsiderate portion of my uncle's toilet. To night he seemed depressed appa- rently by the moaning of the wind, and he moved uneaslly about the room first he walk. ed to the window and looked into the darkness: but not being able to detect anything there, he turned to the fire, and after gazing moodily for a few nome! ts at the burning logs, commen- ced the important business of assuming his night gear. First came the scarlet flannel can. which was carefully drawn on over the ears. and the strings tied. Suddenly my uncle as, sumed a listening attitude.
 Did not hear laugh P said he to him self. "Surely l heard something. Oh but nonsense! Bah what am l dreaming of 2" And he took up his second nghtcsp and pro- ceeded to place i. gravely over the other, and then. lastly, gorgeous one, of black vel vet embroidered witt, beads.
 Again my uncle started, for he distinctly seemed to hear some oEe lau hing. He plan- ced uneasily around; all was still saxe, the noise of the wind rl>ting through the trres.- Again he tried to quiet his fears, an,i once more riveted his attention on tha mirror before him. The figure therein reflected Was certain ly to excite smile. for it was curious to see such benevolent, kind face in a huge velvet cap with ringing of black. yellow, and red. to say nothing Of the ear Iappets and strings. It is often the case, when looking in mirror, that one does not look at the object one seeks to see, but the eye wansiers to other things re feeted in it. This was the case with my uncle tonight. His eye wandered from himself to the bed and from the bed to the floor which seemed strangely distorted it appeared to form steep hill, as seen in the glass But what was that black thing on the apparent hill, be- tween the bed trimmings and the carpet? He leaned forward to examine the glass more close ly, but as he did SO, he started back with slight scream, for the blacklooking object on the carpet was the heel of a mans boot. He turned quickly round to ascertain if theie real ly existed such thing and there was nothing to be seen the valance just touched the carpet and seemed perfectly undstnrbed. He then begun to reason that it must have been an op- tical deusion; and the noise of the elements had made him nervous. And then he almost resolved to lit the valance and look if there were man under the bed. This however. proved too nervous task for eveu my brave uncle. lf," he said to himself, "a robber really be there, ho will endeavor to put me horS de consbt.t, which would not be pleasant in the mildest form" So at last my uncle de cided on getting into bed as though nothing unusual had occurred, and ring for his man servant Jacques, and try and make him ac- quainted with his perilous situation. My therefore, put out the candle. and then ex- claimed aloud, "Oh have forgotten to order my carriage for tomorrow morning, and there. upon rang the bell. In few moments Jac- ques appeared, somewhat surprised at being summoned at so late an hour
 cheques" said my uncle, T have been ob- liged to ring for you"-laying a stress on the word obliged. and at the same time pointing uOWuWdfuS Wltu HIS ndnu-''aS IOrgOC to tell you that shall require the carriage tomorrow morning at eight o'clock. You must go to Pierre to night and tell him to prepare the hor ses for 8 long drive" My uncle again pointed downwards, and then raised his hands in an at titude of distress. Do you understand me, Jacques r
 ''Mais, oui monsieur replied Jacques. But no; Jacques did not understand the dan ger yet-what was to be done 4l Jacques said my uncle, Git is a very bad night, is it not ? An just the night for high waymen to attack unprotected travellers, or for l housebreakers to rob the larders of exposed houses. Do not forget to go toPerre immediately' Saying this, my uncle again made downward sign, and again raised his hands in supplica- | tion.
 "Good night, Jacques Do you understand me about the carriage?'
 For moment Jacques stood hesitating on the threshold of the door, but in an instant a I brighter look came over his face as he answer cd
 Il understand very we'll what monsieur wishes tosay." i He then retired. and my uncle tried to com. pose himself until help should arrive but eve. " moment his anxiety grew deeper; he could not but believe there was man under the bed on which he was lying, for even had the heel of the boot been a mistake the laugh could have been no dslusion. Again, If man were
 really theIe, 1t could be for no good purpose it might be to rob his house or it might hk