Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1868-04-16
slLEcTED MISCELLANY.
TnG-USsPOKEE wARNlsG.

am no believer in the supernatural.
never saw any ghosts, never heard an
strange noises, none, at least, that coul(
not be accounted for ON natural principles
never saw lights round the bed, or hearC
knocks on the head-board, which proved
to be 'fOre-runners" Of sickness or death
| never had even dreams "come to pass, ,
and to spirits, in the common acceptatior
of the term, since the days of the FoS
girls, my very presence has been always q
damper. am not one of the sort who are
always on the lookout for signs and won.
ders; and if want of faith in spiritualism
is sin, / ought to have been the last
one to look for so marked a - you
may name it what you please, 1 call II di-
vine iDterposition, as the one am about
to relate, all the witnesses to which-and
they are moi few-are still living;
One bitter cold day in winter a merry
party of us, nestled down under furry
robes, went to meet an appointment with a
friend living few miles distant, with
whom we were to spend the afternoon, and
in the evening to attend a concert to be
held near by. The sleighing was delight
full, the air keen and inspiring, 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
chartered like magpies, and not little of
the coming concert which promised
rare treat to our unsophisticated ears. ALI
went merry as marriage bell, and mer-
rier than some, till just before tea, when l
was seized with sudden and unaccount-
able desire to 60 home, accompanied by
dread or fear of something, / knew not
what, which made the return appear, not
matter of choice, but thing imperitive.
tried to reason it away, to revive antici-
pations of the concert; | thought Of the
disappointment it would be to those who
came with me to give 1t up; and running
over in my mind the condition In which.
things were left at home, ! could find no
ground for alarm.
For many years part Of the house had
been rented to a trusty family; our child
Ten 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 10 bring in
wood and kindlings for the morning fire,
take supper alone or with little Clara -,
as he chose, and otherwise pass the time
as he pleased, only that he must not go
into the street to play or on the pond to
skate. He had been left many times In
this way, and had never given occasion for
the slightest uneasiness, still, as this name
less fear grew upon me, it took the form
OF conviction that danger Of some sort
threatened this beloved child.
| was rising to go and ask Mr.. A
to take me home, when some one said,
"You are very pale, Are you ill?"
mo" l answered, and, dropping back
in the chair, told them how strangely
had been exercised for the last few
minutes, adding, 81 really must go
home"
There was a perfect chorus of voices
against it, and for little time, was ST.
lenced, though not convinced. Some one
laid the matter before Mr.. A., who
replied, Nonsense Eddie is good boy
to mind, and will do nothing in our alb
sence that he would not do if we were
there, and is enjoying himself at this mo-
ment, pll warrant.
This answer was brought to me in tri-
umph, and Iresolyed to do as they said,
mot to think about it.u But at tea nv
trembling hand almost refused to carry
food to my lips, and / found it utterly i'm
possible TO swallow mouthful. A DEATH
like chill crept over me, and l knew that
every eye was on me as left the room.
Mr.. A. arose, saying, In changed
voice and without ceremony, "Make haste
bring the horse round; we must 90
right away. never saw her in such A
state before; there is something in it.n he
followed me TO the parlor, but before he
could speak ] was pleading for dear life
that not moment be lost In starting for
home. II know" said /, "it is not ali
imagination, and, whether it is or not, j
shall certainly die if this dreadful incubus
isnot removed shortly"
All was now confusion; the tea table
deserted, the meal scarce tasted, and mS
INV words wero % as On onn;as a. ny looks as a
off as they had before to detain me. tt
vat @ 9 sm asonrod oT ,ho. "eo.s Gu. ssemea hours
an hour elapsed from IJS tbe Te tme ,nen n a1 ma.
FIRST found expression before we were OF
what noted sor Tso,Onae noe' n q nolse some
With onIv to W. IN nVI'eSS ,ba wss Velore u.s. ant
10 the M onoor, 80 wy o1..ei5-1,le ne rest s'aic
nronisa I I ,bo, o 70 no,t;nu anu ihaSe Ls1 mI. 4
TouId 'T 1o,rr su~S mO'ng LILY, hau happened We
rand nsce Tnsw ~V"s sro,n orer te tEe rGao AZ
repetition of a necnliar a;gnol tho, A.,