The Richmond palladium., 1869-07-13

i
there. though all my thoughts were con-
centrated on the bottle. AT last raised
it to my mouth.
Scarce had the bottle touched my lips
when again experienced that terrible
feeling. @
My throat was seized, this time more
violently, more fiercely, as if by some
power which had already warned me,
and was enraged at having to repeat the
warning. My throat was compressed
painfully in that fierce gripe; there was
anger in it. A thrill of horror again
shot through me. Again the bottle fell
from my trembling hands and was
crushed to fragments upon the stony
pavement.
Again raised my hands to my throat,
though in a deadly fear, but the motion
was mechanical-a natural and involun-
tary effort to tear away the thing that
had seized my throat--to free myself
from the pain and horror of that mystic
rious grasp. Again, then, raised my
hands, and again felt there under my
touch. plainly and unmistakably the
long, hard, bony hand which I had felt
before. One touch was enough. My
hands fell down. ! tried to shrek, but
in vain. I gasped for breath, and tho't
that would be suffoeated.
But at length the grasp slowly and
unwillingly relaxed breathed more
freely. At length the touch was no lon.
ger felt.
I paced the streets for long time
At first every vestige of my appetite had
been driven away by the horror of that
moment. AS time passed it began to
return. Once more felt the craving
True, fear of another attack was strong,
and for long time deferred me but at
last the craving grew too strong for the
fear.
Nerving myself up to desperate
pitch of resolution, I rushed back to the
shop where had last purchased the liq.
uor.
See herer I cried; I'm crazy for a
!
glass, for Gods sake-only one glass =
Something in my face seemed to ex-
cite the mans commiseration. He pour
ed out glass for me in silence.
With trent bling eagerness I reached
out my hands to seize it. With tremb-
ling hand I raised it toward my lips
The grateful fumes already entered my
nostrils. My lips already touched the
edge of the glass.
Suddenly my throat was seized with
tremendous grasp.
1t was though the Power which was
tormenting me had bee ONE enraged
by repeated acts of opposition, and
wished now by this final act to reduce
me to subjection forever.
It was as if this Power was using with
me the means Of coercion which one
fuses with dog, viz beat him for each
offense, and each time harder till he is
cured.
This time the grasp was terrible, j,
was herccr than ever, quick, impetuous
In that dread grasp my breath ceas.
ed.
I struggled. My senses reeled. ]
raised my hands in despair. felt again
the bony fingers. I moved nay hands
along its bony arms.
In my madness struggled. I struck
out my fists wildly. They struck agains,
what seemed like bony ribs.
The time during which I thus strug
gled seemed endless. The horror tha,
was upon me cannot be told.
At last all sense left me.
When I revived found myself Eyins
on rude bench in the bar. 1t was eur
ly dawn. No one was near. AlE my
bones ached. I rose up confusedly, MOI
knowing at first where was, but soor
the terrific event which had overpowere6
me came to my memory.
/ rose to my feet and tried to get out
The noise that male awakened som.
one inside. He called out to me-
Hello there! Are you OFF,
Yes said.
wait, I'll let you out
He appeared in a short time.
You had a bad turn,' said he, rot un
kindly. You had better take care Of
yourself and not be out at nights.
/ thanked him and left.
When reached home my wife walk.
ed up and looked half fearfully at me-
Amusement came on her face as she
saw that was sober. l kissed her and
sat down in silence.
She looked at me in wonder. Tears
fell from her eyes. She said nothing,
but saw that she was praying.
As soon as the shops we're opened ]
went out and managed to procure some