The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-10-11

stricken servants sat dumb and notion
less in their chairs, when the light began
to diminish, and, much more quickly
than it had come, disappeared altogether.
Another consultation was now held.
Mrs. Mortimer, whose courage was
scarcely equal to that of the high race
whose name she bore, insisted that mis-
tress should be told, without more delay.
The connsels of the cooler Thomas, how
ever, prevailed, so far as to give the
think as he affected to call il, a still
further trial, and this was done.
Twice more had the incident REQUIRED,
when Mrs. Mortimer, 'wore out, as she
expressed it, finally struck her colors, and
on the fifth appearance, Mr.. Gauntrell
was warned, as described.
II further appeared that. this last time
the light, instead of exhibiting steady
increase, had some what vaccilated, wax
ing and waning, Withdrawing almost en-
tirely, then returning with greater power
yet never attaining its maximum brillia-
cy, until before Mr.. Gauntrell descended
it vanished altogether. Such was the
history.
The most minute examination of the
room, extended to the sculery, adjoining
revealed nothing to Mr.. Gauntrell that
could, in any wise, point to solution of
the singular phenomenon. The window,
secured with one huge strong shutter, Of
fercd no perceptible crevice through
which even a thread of light could pene-
trate, still less the mighty food that had
been directed into the apartment The
too genuine to be mistaken The integ-
rity of Thomas was beyond suspicion.
All that could be done was to be in
readiness for the next recurrence of tho
event and, for this purpose, Mr.. Gaun-
trell ccntrived an apparatus by means of
which he might be warned, at any in
stant, from the kitchen, of the approach
of the phenomenon. This was, next day
continued to other apartments above, for
Mr.. Gauntrell, aware Of the frmness and
calm good sense which characterized the
members of his family, made no scruple OF
relating to them. at breakfast, all that
had occurred
Bv reason Of the early habits of Grise-
wood cottage, the expected siona, when
it was at length given, found the mas er
of the house alone in his study. Hastily
tecgraping to his son, who was reading.
still dressed, in his own apartment, AMI
/ ioinaJ hin, ~, instant NJ Eaun,r,ll
descended to the haunted precinct.
Thomas was there, alone. One can
die was burning on the table; but, already
its light was overborne by the mysterious
glow, and when Mr.. Gauntrell extinguisb-
ed it, the sole result was to give to the
growing luster a purer and more siverv
tone. Clear and lucid as beautiful
dawn, the strange splendor grew into the
room, lighting up every speck and crevice
with ray as searching, though not 50
warm in color, as that of noon.
Young Gauntrell rushed to the shutter,
and drew it down. All without wa.
pitchy darkness, nor (strange to say was
any portion of the luster that prevailed
within, projected in the obscurity.
In vain did the two cool investigators
search in every direction for possible
nucleus of this strange tount of light IL
was dispersed, with enc uniform power,
| throughout the room. After the lapse
of minute, or minute an haf. the
radiance began to diminish, first slowly,
then rapidly, vanishing at last, so to speak
as if some one, bearing lamp, had sud-
denly closed the slide.
1t would be neelless to dwell upon the
efforts made by Mr.. Gauntrel, aided by
his family, to arrive at some solution Of
this enigma, which, puzzing as it was,
they one and all believed to lie within the
province of discovery. Philosophical
conjecture, no mere ttan material inves-
tigation, was able TO suggest ,he slightest
clue. Appeal to the agent proved tha;
the phenomenon described was Identical
in character, with those which had cost
Griscwool cottage its good name Still
Mr.. Gauntrel did not abandon the hope
OF dispelling the singular mystery.
The incident began now to rccur 50
frequently that the domeslics-Mrs. Nor
timer excepted-grown familiar with it,
discarded their terror, and even began 10
regard it as a curious performance, pro-
vided for their amusement. Mrs. Nor
timers nerves, however, were not proof
against the strain The kitchen was
hers she was responsible for all that hap
pened there; and TO have that queer
fire burning when it wasn't wanted, and
making her hair stand up on end, on ac-
count of the kitchen tiue was more than
cook could bear. As, however, Mrs.
Mortimer was an excellent servant, and
attached to the family, an arrangement
was effected, by which leave of absence
would be granted to her for the remaining
months of Mr. Gauntrelrs tenancy, and
her place temporarily supplied. There
upon, Mrs. Mortimer departed.
Now became manifest the disadvan-
tages of an evil reputation. The party
who had been relied upon to discharge
the offices of cook, positively declined Ia
remain in the house later ,han nine Of the
clock, evening. This being attended
with inconvenience, she was dismissed in
. a day or two, and another substitute WAS
sought The inquiry seemed truitless.---
Far or near, no one could be found will
ling to undertake the culinary depart
ment, with residence at Grsewood cot