New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1867-05-19
a Strange StO y.

n strange StO y.
The following We clip from an exchange
paper. We know nothing Of its origin, and
give it for what It is worth. 1t is very
realistically told story, and, We suppose,
nothing more
On the night of Chr ltmas Eve, as | was
returning home after attending divine
service III certain church i'll Boston, on
nearing my residence, | became suddenly
aware that II stranger was walking close
behind me, and keeping step with me IN II
manner which | considered to be somewhat
familiar aud offensive. Influenced by the
sacrcduess Of the place had just left, feel
iug that | should soon be relieved OF such
desirable company, | SAID nothing, but
hurried my pace until | reached the steps
leading to my own door. AT that point
halted "a moment with the intention OF
scrutinzlng the stranger more closely AS he
passed when became sensible at
once, that although it was showing
rather fast from the time became CognlZant
of the strangers proximity up to the time
that reached home, none of the snow Tell
upon either side of us, but seemed to have
been rrpelled about two all around from
each of Us, We both, AS il We're, walking III
"A sort of vacuum. Although saw this pal
pabiy AT the time OF It's occurrence, and was
quite aware that not particle OF snow
touched either of us while We were together,
vet, strange TO ay,ItueYtr struck me as helng
singu, ar unIIl had mounted the steps ana
found the flakes falling on me once more.
At this juE 'ture | became very much
alarmed, aud the more so from The fact that
when turned round, ON the upper step OF
the flight, to eudcavOr to get peep AT the
strangers face, he was gone! He had DIS
appeared with the velocity of light, and
undrr circumstances the most Incompetent
sIbie, leavit g II strange Impression that |
had seen him before, but AS to when or
\ Ia ,I1 IN l4f
Completely astOni,hed at an adventure so
strange, entered ny residence, where, to my
surprise, found All old friend seated IN my
study beside cheerful coal lire that burned
in the CRATE, and whom | had not seen for
wears, although was in the habit OF CON
stAntiy corresponding with him. We Were
mutual v delighted at the meeting, and was
happy at making him a home in my bach
elor Quarters-I having passed into the sere
and yellow leaf without having been fortu-
nate enough to make "A favor able impression
upon any one of the fair sex. At the novelty
of my position and the qualification II at
fDrded mt, all remembrance OF my adVeh'
ture in the street was completely lost sight
of, and / addressed myself to conversation
and the Inequalities that Gould offer nm
at 50 late AN hour of the night, my house
keeper having gone to bed.
Alter supper and single glass OF ale
| each, we retired to our respective apart
ments to renew our conversation at break
| fast aud spend u happy Christmas day to-
gpther. Somehow Ci other did not sleeI
very we'll; but as | am rather abstemious
and quite unused to late suppers, fancled
| that my restlessness was occasioned by ever
| the single glass of ale and the few mouthtul.
| had eaten. As the day began to dawn
| however, | sank into u deep refreshing
| slumber, from which | was aroused abou
| four o'clock by the well known voice OF m,
| aged domestic announcing the oreaktas
| ready. | was soon up and, rs was Away
| NV wont, passed into my study before &c
| lug down stairs.
| Here, to my utter surprise, | perceived
| standing on the table at which my frtent
and had supped, two glasses-one empt
and the other tiled with ale-beside plat
the contents of which appeared not to hay
been touched. / was astonlshed and cor
| fused beyond measure at this; for betor
retiring TO rest had locked door leadin
out into the hall at the head of the stairs
| which effectually cut off both my study an
| nv bedroom from all intrusion. Unable I
account for this strange condition OF tn
table, instantly fastened to the apartment
| of my friend, and knocked at the doOl
Receiving no reply | entered the room
when lol and behold it was empty, Will
his bed bore all the evidence of its not ha'
ing been slept in the night previous. IA
| down stairs In great CONSERVATION, an
learned from my housekeeper that she ha
not made up any beds that morning, an
that not soul had left or entered the hous
that morning.
Utterly be wildered, | was about to max
some inquiries, when my attention WAS a
rested by knock At the hall door. IL WI
the pnstman. He handed me letter.
opened II and sank In chair. Itcontaine
the announcement OF my friends dealt
which had occurred at Washington n fe
DAYS previous. After having perused tn
lad eontents, the recollection of my strang
) adventure b. the street rushed in with grei
force and distinctness upon my memor.
while my subsequent experience in III
study absolutely, for the time being, pa
4iyzrd all my reasoning faculties, althoug
am very far from being "a stranger to my
ierious sights and sounds in the reality
which | never believed, nor DO fully ye
But what conclusion can | arrive at in th
Instance, A. may be presumed, the subje
| aAs been present with me ever since, amt
| now give 1t 10 the public in the hope III
some explanation may be offered In come
: ion With it. rather than from ANY desire
| make IL notorious.