Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-03-25
THE UNSPOKEN WARNING.



saw lights round the bed, nor heard knocks ON
,be bcad.board. which proved to be d" fore |
r,nners of sickness or death | never had
even dreams come to pass and to spirits 4
in the common acoeptation Of the term, since /
the DAYS of the Fox girls, my very presence
has been always a damper ! am not one OF
The SORT who are always on the lookout for
sions and wonders; and if want Of faith in
splritualism or supcrnaturalism Is q sin, !
ought to have been the last one 90 look for so
marked --- YOU may name it what you
pease. | call it divine interposition as the
one am about to relate, all the witnesses to |
which--and they are not iew-arc still
living
One bitter cold day in winter merry
party Of us, nestled down under furry robes,
went to meet an appointment with a friend
living a few miles distant, with whom we
we're to spend the afternoon, and in the eve
ming to attend a concert to be held near bly,
The sleighmg was delightful, the air keen and
inspiritng, the host and hostess genial as the
cracking fires in the CRATES, and the invited
guests. of whom there were many besides
ourselves. in that peculiar visiting trim, which
only old-time friends, long parted can enjoy.
Restraint was thrown aside we cracked Jokes,
we chatted ike magpies, and not a little Of
the coming concert, which promised rare
treat to our uusophisticated ears. All went
merry as a marriage bell, and mcrrier than
some, TIL just before tea, when ! was seized
with sudden desire to go home, accompanied
by a dread or fear of something | know not
what. which made the return appear not u
matter Of choice but a thing imperative. |
tried to reason It away, to revive auticipa-
tons of the concert | thought Of the disap-
pointment it would be 10 those who came
with me to give it up, and. running over in
nv mind the condition in which things were
left at home I could find no ground for
alarm.
For many years a part of the house had
been rented to a trusty family; our children
were often rocked in the same cradle, and
half the time ate at the same table; locks
and bolts were things unused, and in deed as
in word we were neighbors. In their care
had been left boy of ten years, the only
one Of the family remaining at home, who
knew that when he returned from school he
was expected to bring in wood and kindlings
for the morning fire, take supper alone or
with little Clara -, as he chose, and other
wise pass the time as he pleased, only that he
must not 90 into the street to play or on the
pond to SKATE. He had been left many times
in this way, aud had never given occasion
for the slightest uneasiness still, as this
nameless fear grew upon me, it took the form
Of conviction that danger Of some sort
threatened this beloved child.
! was rising to 60 aud ask Mr.. A. to
take me home, when some one said, " You are
very pale. Are you ill?"
No." answered, and, dropping back in
the chair, told them how strangely | had
been exercised for the last few minutes, add
ing really must 60 home.'
There was a perfect chorus OF voices
against it, and for a little time was silenced
though not convinced Some one laid the mat
ter before Mr. A., who replied Nom
sense Eddie is good boy to mind, will do
nothing in our absence that be would not do
if We were there, and is enjoying himself we'll
% this moment, I'll warrant
This answer was brought to me in triumph,
and | resolved to do as they said, "not
think about it, But at tea my trembling
hand almost refused to carry food to my lips,
and found it utterly impossible to swallow
m0uthfu 4 death-like chill crept over
me- and knew that every eye was on me as
left the room. Mr.. A. arose, saying,
in changed voice and without ceremony,
Make haste-and bring the horse round
we must 90 right away. ! never saw her in
such state before there is something in it,
He followed me to the parlor, but before he
could speak | was pleading as for dear life
that not moment be lost in starting fol
home +" / know" said !, 3" ii is not all i'm
agination, and, whether it is or not, | shall
certainly die if this dreadful incubus is not
removed shortly
All was now confusion; the tea-table de
serted, the meal scarce tasted, and my friends
alarmed as much at my looks as at my words
were as anxious to hurry me off as they hat
before been to detain me. TO me those ter
rble moments seemed hours, yet am assured
that no more than half an hour elapsed from
the time my fears first found expression betor,
We were ON the road towards home \ hors
somewhat noted for heetness was before us
and with only two in the cutter-the res
staid to the concert and made Mr.. A
promise that if nothing had happened W
would return-we went over the road at
rapid pace. | knew from the frequent rept
tition Of peculiar signal that the beast wa
being urged to its best, yet grew sick wit
impotence at the restraint | wanted to fl,
All this while my fears had taken no deGnit
shape | only knew that the child was i
danger, and felt impelled 10 hurry to the re
cae. Only once was the silence broken
the three-mie journey and that was whe