Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1869-03-18

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651;aisled i footing anu ong the mass of the
people fifty years ago have been driveu to
| take refuge in the minds of the most ig-
a6fant portion of our population The
: Hiads of both nv brothers and myself
were remarkably free from any feelings
of the kind
| l mention this fact to show that my
thoughts were not at all interes ted in the
images Of such objects. At the age of
nineteen, having returned homs during
vacation at College. the following event,
singular in itself, and fearful in its conse-
quences, occurred:
Lived with my parents, abolt mile
from the town of W. Oar horso
was an antiquatcd and roomy structure.
built by my ancestors years before the
Revolution. The front entrance opened
Immediately into two large halls. counec-
ted together by folding doors, whilst on
both sides of the min building exten led
long, low, ivy-coverod wings. We, that
is my es.::,ner. mother and tlree bro;hers,
had been sitting in small parlor discus
sing the expected return Of an Uacle, who
had been travelling in the SJuth. As
was our custom, wc retired to our cham
bers earl y; my apartment was in a wing
of the building, winch was else uuoccuplcd:
it was entered by long corrilor. at the
extremity OF which was small oriel wiz
dow. The Internal arrangement of tie
room WAS in no wise remarkable; wood
fire burnt briskly in large open fireplace;
white cambria curtains surrounded the bed
extending from the high post with which
it was furnished. Iwhiled away an hour
in silent meditation and then retired un-
Intentionally leaving the light burning
| soon fell asleep. Restless and f.verish
unpleasant dreams continually disturbed
me. After me hours I was awakened
by diff i;ulty in breathing. Looking
around perceived dull. hazy appear
ancc in the room, which seemed TO be cs-
pecia(ly cnncentrated near the door
Somewhat surprised, gazol more stead
lily and perceived dim, shadowy ontline
Of 4 human figure; its face WAS cone 'alcd
by the mist, but it beckoacl towlrl the
door with one hand, while the other WIS
elevated above its heal. A,t)nish ID bat
alarmed, | ros, AMI approlclcd the
strange apparition it slowly retreatod
out Of tie door VII ch W., open, al
though I distinctly remembered hav-
iny bolted and locked it. | follow
ell the figure as it retreated until it
reached the door Of what was called the
''ltrge spare 70 m" This it entered, my
self f,lIowins There WIS no light in the
room. vt the dali. misty g.are that en-
circed the figure, to 5ethar with the light
OF the moon, s.nt a feeble gleamiu5
throughout it. There was placed at ths
end OF the room larg, mirror reaching
from the ceiling to the floor. Towards it
the II cure wh,ca I'd now ceased becko1-
ing. pointed. Looking thither I psr
ceived, not ref ,ction Of the room, but
long avenue througa 4 pine forest. Tac
pal, moon rode higa and majestically in
the heavens myriads Of stars glitt,red
brightly; /; not clouI WAS to be s,.n.-
Suddenly, in the direction of the mirror,
heard noise as Of approaching hooss.
Gazing down the avenue. gracefully arch
ed by the outreaching branches of the
trees on either side. perceived horse
man slowly approaching; as he came
nearer, recognized the form anu lea
lures of my uaclc. He sc med lost in
thought, when four man leapt fro q
place of concealmsn at the crossing of
two roads and attacked him. Protected
by the darkness of the woods they had
not bteu seen, and their unhappy victim
was taken by surprise bat snltching a
pistol from tac holster. he discharged IT.,
anI one OF the ruthaus fell dead on the
spot Ere he could tire another, howev-
er, he was knockci senseles, from his
horse The Williams drew their weapons,
but stayed L moment to discuss whether
murder or only ROBBERY should be com-
mttcd with my senses preternaturally
sharpened, | could panty hear their
co 4usels Murder seemed 10 be uaani-
.Uously agreed upon, aud In an instant
seyet~l woIuls were Iuflttel upon tlc
person ot their victim | essaye1 to cali
lor help, bu. could not; every muscle
seemed paralysed a cold icy feeling
overspread my whole frame. [ WAS as
cold and motton,es. as d statute | knew
no more.
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