Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-11-29
MISCELLANEOUS.
A Strange Visitor.

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In 1913 1 had been in business a year or
so. and was beginning to pick up stray cases.
| One night in the small hours the night bell
rang faintly over my head. wanted work in
those davs, and its clamor was not quite so
altogether horrible as it become in after years;
so | jumped up, and putting on my wrapper,
opened the window and called aloud to know
who wanted me. Hearing no answer, and the
night being utterly dark, slipped on my
| clothes aud went down to the door. To my
surprise there was no one visible, and the
street was black and silent. Annoyed at the
impatience OF my visitor. went sullenly back
to bed. The next night, at the same hour of
two o'clock, the bell rang again. and as before.
family, like the ring of child. The night
was cloudless and the moon hrilliant but no
one was on the steps or near them. Instantly
| was possessed with strange impression of
terror as closed the window and stood mos
ment thoughtful before going back to bed :
had scarcely fallen asleep when the bell rang
once more. On this occasion dressed in
stantly and went down to the door. As be-
fore. there was no one in sight. Still in
doubt, went out and explored in vain the
dark side of the street and TIE nearer shad-
ows You may laugh. Colonel but the thing
was not pleasant The next night resolved
tn sit mp and catch the disturber. Providing
myself therefore. with good stick. I left the
street door unlocked. so as to be easily opened,
and then lit cigar and settled to read in my
office. Precisely as the clock struck the door
hell rang. In moment | had opened it. ex-
claiming SO I've got YOU nt last ~ Then l
paused in my wrath. On the steps stood n
wee little figure of child about nine years
old as judged barefooted. although the
night was cold and muffled up in something
like the torn half Of a ragged coyerlet.
Come in out of the cold, +" l said, sand tell
me what you want"
Without saying n word. the child walked
into my office. As it faced the light l saw
the wanest and wearicst little visage, with
great brown eyes. long tangled yellow hair,
and white lips. which said, feebly:
Mamma is dying. You come along quick.
sir"
Iput on my overcoat and went out with her,
saying:
this dress ?" For the little thing seemed to
be in short white petticoats and without
gown. .... ... ...
She made NO reply except to repeat, "Come
quick. sir" Out we went.
What's your name,' said I.
"Susy" .n
Aren't you cold"
"No."
"Were you here last night?" said, on a
sudden.
'Yes'
"Who sent you? ?"
Don't know"
"Why did you run away?"
"Don't know"
Meanwhile the little naked feet trotted
in front of me swiftly. and suddenly turned
into Crosby street. diving into dark court.
Here she opened door and | followed her up
stairs We climbed three stories Of mean.
ill-smclling staircase. till she suddenly stopped
before door in the attick which she opened
in turn, so that we went into wretched garret.
The room was deadly cold. and | saw by
Pickering tallow candle freless stove, bare
floor and wall, and every sign of the deepest
misery. On a straw mattrass lay a woman
with features pirchcd and haggard. her feet
bare, because she had drawn the scanty cover
ing mp about her chest.
"What can do for you ?" said, arousing
her with difficulty,
Nothing said a weak voice husky and
broken. "Im starved -that's all" Then
relapsing into the delirium from which my
words had called her for moment, she began
to wander anew.
Upon this turned to the child. To my
surprise. she was gone leaving me alone with
the dying woman Kneeling beside her.
called aloud in her ear and shook her gently,
when again she grew partially sensible.
"Where is the child ?" l said. "I want
her TO call some one in the house, so as to get
little help"
Child ~ she said "What child?"
"Susy." said I. recalling her name.
At this the woman suddenly sat up, pointed
across the garret and exclaimed. '.Susy, she's
over yonder-been dead these three days =
Starved too. guess; :" and so saying she fell
back. groaned, struggled an instant, and was
dead
Shocked at the horror of the scene. slowly
got mp from my knees. and taking the failing
candle walked over to the far corner where
confused leap lay on the floor covered with
a torn cUunterpane. l raised the corner. and
bending over. saw that the heap was dead
child, and that the face was that of the little
warderer who had summoned me few min
utcs before. As looked the candle sputtered
and went ont and the cold, pitiless moonlight
fell through the broken panes on the floor
] got out and went home That is my story.
Colonel.-AH Episode from "7He Ghost of
Ten Brock oan der Hcyden." in the October
number Of LippineoHs Magazine.
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