The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-04-25
Written for the New Era
A GHOST ADV ENTU R L

noisy set, as, helter SHELTER, mana over
hand, we came down that long winding
stairway that led, from the very attic OF
that lofty structure, to the LOBBY below,
which opened on three sides TO the spa
claus grounds surrounding the college
buildings. There was a score or more
of us, and if, on that particular night,
we We're noisier than wont, it was that
we might dispel, Or, at least, enliven the
gloom which, after nightfall, reigned in
undisputed possession, in those silent,
and now, to us, aimostspectra corridors.
We had no occasion, surely, for merri-
ment. Ii was TO be, for time at least,
and it might be forever, the last time
our feet should tread that stairway, or
echo in those corridors. 1t was the week
before Commencement, and we, the
members OF the Star society, had been
up in our Hall. holding our last meet
ing, preparatory to adjourning, sine
die, Or till next term, which had just
been done. This room, where we held
our weekly meetings, and got rid Of our
superHuous gas" was as high up in
the building as it could have been with
caution, doubtless taken by the project
ors of the institution, who may have
imagined that the professors, whose
rooms were, for the most part, on the
lower floor, had no particular yearning
to be deafened by the defamation OF
ambitious Freshmen and Sophs. BE
this as it may, there the hall was, APP
parently hung up-or, rather, suspended
between the two gigantic towers which
stood at the north side OF the building,
and could only be reached by the ascent
of what seemed to me, on my first trip
roofward,an interminable flight ofsteps;
but when you once made landing, you
were richly repaid for all the tolls of the
upward journey.
Through a window, in the north end,
which must have been Gothic, though [
do not pretend to be master Of arcli-
lecture, was presented to the eye of the
lover OF the beautiful and romantic q
scene calculated to inspire him with the
most delightful emotions. This window
overtopped ali surrounding objects; and
the very attitude of the point of obser-
walton, infinitely enhanced the beauty
Of the scenery below. On that particular
night, it had taken on, if net more
majestic, q more enrapturing robe OF
beauty. The moon, full, and unspeclled
by a single cloud, rode majestically in
mid-heaven, enveloping all below in a
mellow radiance. The lawn, just beneath
the window; the Presidents house,
without the inclosure; the village, with
its steepIes and shrubbery; the "Gleno
beyond, through which poured and
foamed a noisy stream, and still farther,
clearly defined against Il range OF hills
in the extreme back ground. the Old
Cemetery, with its glistening marble
and modest pillars-all these had the
sOftened, vet definite outlines, and the
indesefibahle charm, which a mid-sum-
np1.T rrix SiJt this
moonlight panorama, as striking as it
might be to the eye OF the novice, | am
afraid, lost some OF its imposing effect
ON the crowd who had gathered there
this night in question, though they may
have east a regretful glance on the IA
miliar landscape they mightRever again
behold. | remember we'll some of the
proceedings Of that evening, though it
is not pertinent to the subject under
consideration, that I should retail them.
Each had his parting word, and even |,
proverbially modest as l then was, ven
tured to suggest, when the subject of re-
moving the carpet, for the accOmmO-
dation of the Delphian Society, who
wished to hold a public meeting in our
hall, and whom we cordially detested,
both on account Of their pretended su-
periority, and their niggardness; for
UlltN lIdO Il IIdll, UCCOCl tIidll OutS III GSCly
respect; when this subject, therefore, of
removing the carpet, for their accommo-
dalton, wasdiscussed, ventured to sug-
gest, that, if they were particularly desi-
rouso of having it removed, the most expe-
ditious way of getting it down, in my
opinion, was to throw it out the WIN
dow; and / pressed motion, and Sc
cured its passage, that any member of
the committee appointed by our society,
to confer with similar committee from
the Delphian, in reference to the afore-
said removal, who would consent to any
other mode of transportation, should be
fined, not less than five, nor more than
fifteen dollars, at the discretion Of the
society. This amicable and neighborly
arrangement being completed to the
satisfaction of all, saving the conference
committee, we We're in better temper to
appreciate the eloquent valedictory of
our honored President. And with the.
tones of his inimitable voice still ring
ing in our ears. and thrilling along our
nerves. and vibrating in our hearts, we
came down the stairway to which have
already alluded. We fingered not long
in the dark and forsaken lobby, but,
passing quickly out into the moonshine
havOnd SpDarated into different orOllnS