The Lincoln County herald., 1869-11-11

versatiou. All my attempts, however
were futile. A very short answer was oil
l could gain and, % one and oil were
constantly looking around % for the com.
log Of some one whom they oxpsetsd, 70,
dreaded, could not refrain from asking
"Are you looking for eompsny tonight r
mo, no but"
Still the same confusion, and sudden
breaking Of.
"Perhaps your husband is-"
"No-oh I" And she shuddered ter.
terribly. 1. .'l
"If there 10 any one to fear" oonsiu.
tinusd, II will protect you." And I die.
played my pistol rather ostsntatiously.
ut isn't no mortal" mumbled the old
grandmother, speaking for the iirst time.
Ut isn't no mortal it's spirits"
"Spirits3 Pshav you are not afraid
Of spirits2
MAY be You dont know anything
about them, cir ?" ..., ~, :
had to eonfsss not only ny ignorance,
but disbelief, and was attempting to prove
logically that such things could not exist,
when the storm, that had boen long gath.
eriug, burst 10 fury, shaking the house to
the very foundations.
"There! I told you co." whispered
the old woman. II knew he was com.
ing"
"He7 Who is be p
I was going to ask again for the father
Of the children but the pleading look
Of the poor woman restrained me. I
could not believe her guilty Of any crime,
and 80 waited for further developments.
And come they did, with vengeance.
First, the rocking, jarring of the house
was renewed, although the storm had
lullcd for . moment; then . dog ap.
peared to howl directly under the win.
dow then the shutters were slammed,
and the doors opened and shut violently ;
then there was hollow, mocking laugh
in the chimney, and then humping di.
rectly beneath my chair, as If some ono
was bounding with huge sledge.
"Don't sit there, sir for heavens sake.
don't + g.sped the poor mother, drawing
herself and the children away. I
"Why not ?"
ut is always on that SPOT"
rs there q cellar under the house 2"
"No."
l could not understand this. I would
have sworn that heard dog, and that
the knocking was beneath the floor. But
even while thinking Of it, my chair was |
shaken so violently that could hardly |
keep my seat, hold on as I would. Then
as if for mercy, and shrieks
and groans, followed each other in quick |
succession and, brave as I supposed my.
self to be, my nerves began to trembie,
and cold sweat began to start out upon my |
forehead. In vain I tried to reason that
i could not be from supernatural causes
laat the spirits Of the departed are not
allowed to revisit the earth. There were
'he effects, whatever the cause, and they
we're entirely beyond my reheusion.
"Was there ever . MURDER" I was
about to ask, "committed in this house ?"
Rhen was interrupted by the screaming
If tho younger woman. -:
"Murder | Oh, heaven have mercy
upon me II
At the same instant, tho light that
'tood upon the table was oxtinguished.
hough no one was near it; and tho house
shook, and the raPpings we're renewed
nth tenfold violence. Evidently. H.
thought, I had touched the keynote Of
he mystery, when I heard . terrible
'roan, and saw, or thought l saw, (Which
70: isO, form rise through tho floor,
md stand directly in front Of mo.
"Was there ever murder committed u u
his house" I asked again ; though 1 !;
airly shuddered At the trembling and
unnatural sound of my voice. II
"Murder "Look-there he stands T.
eplicd the mother, prostratiug herself
pom the floor, and hiding her face. |,
"1ts bis spirit" groaned the old wo.
nan. u told you he'd come" II
Proof positive this to my mind that I
'as not mistaken-that others saw % l
id. Spirit or mortal, there was some.
ody there. ! closed my eyes to be Ger. !
no that i was not an optical dslusiou, ,
nd when I removed my hands and opened
hem again, II still stood there. |,
1t was the form Of au old man, with !
'ng gray hair, strongly marked features, {
eep.set eyes, Of peculiarly cunning OF. Z
ression-iox like, would be The most !
roper term and 10 one hand be held . |v
sper that ratified % II blown about by q
lropg wind. Ris head was uncovered.
nd bis neck bare, and both we're hacked
nd bleeding, great drops trickling down, 4
nd falling with spstter upon the Aoor. q
'nee or tvies be opened his mouth a. II Q
speak but there Was only horrible 4
urglipg sound-that which We call the Y
.ath rattle. How long ws retained our .
'lativs positions ! cannot tell. To me ?
seemed On ags. Stir I sould not. III
- completely under the power Of ths .
'rrible fascination. At length, however.
10 ghost, spirit, call it what you will, q
'pearsd TO step toward me, and stretch &
hand ~ II to lay il upon my head. Ip
hen oil my manhood deserted mo. '
lith . great groan, shrauk back, and 0