Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-09-30
A Strange visitor.

year or 80, and was beginning to pick up
stray cases. One night in the small
hours the night-bell rang family over
my head. WANTED work in those days,
and its clamor was not quite 80 altogeth.
er horrible as it became in after years;
so jumped up, and, putting on my wrap.
per, opened the window and called aloud
to know who wanted me. Hearing NO
answer, and the night being utterly dark
/ slipped on my clothes and 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
brilliant, but no one was on the steps or
near them. Instantly was possessed
with strange impression Of terror as I
closed the window and stood a minute
thoughtful before going back to bed. /
had scarcely fallen asleep when the bell
rang once more. On this occasion I
dressed instantly and went down to the
door, AS before, there was no one in
sight. Still.in doubt, / went out and ex-
plored in vain the dark side of thestr
and the nearer shadows. You may laugh
colonel, but the thing wasn't pleasant
The next night resolved to sit up and
catch the disturber. Providing myself,
therefore, with good stick, / left the
street door unlocked, so as to be easily
opened, and then lit cigar and settled
down to read in my Office. Precisely as
the clock struck two the door bell rang.
In a moment had opened it, exclaim-
ing, so I've got you at last then I paus-
ed in my wrath. On the top step was
a wee little figure of child about nine
years of age, as ! judged, barefoot, al.
though the night was cold. and mufled
up in something like the torn half Of
ragged coverlet
"Come in out Of the cold" I said,
and tell me what you want.
Without saying word, the child walk
ed into my Office. As it faced the light
/ saw the wanest and weariest little Wis
age, with great brown eyes, long tangled
yellow hair, and white lips which said,
feebly--
Nanny is dying. You come along
quick, sir"
Iput on my overcoat and went out
with her, saying
Good heavens, child who sent you
out in this dress y for the little thing
seemed to be in short white petticoats
without gown. H
She made no reply, except to repeat,
"come quick, SIR" Out we went.
What is your name?" asked.
"Susie."
"Aren't you cold p
'iNo."
"Were you here last nights'' I said,
on sudden.
EYES,"
"Who seut your
Don't know"
"Did you run away?"
"Don't know"
Meanwhile the little naked feet trot-
ted on in front of me swiftly, and sud-
denly turning into Crosby street, dived
into dark court. Here she opened .
door, and | followed her up stairs. We
climbed three stories of mean ill-smell-
ing staircase, till she suddenly stopped
before a door in the attic, which she op-
ened in turn, so that we went together
into wretched garret. The room was
deadly cold, and l saw by a fickering
tallow candle a fireless stove, bare walls
and floor, and every sign Of the deepest
misery. On a straw mattress lay wo-
man with features pinched and haggard,
her feet bare. because she had drawn the
scanty covering up about her chest.
What can l do for your I said, ar
rousing her with difficulty.
Nothing, l am starved-that's all"
said weak voice, husky and broken.
Then relapsing into the delirium from
which my words had called her for .
moment.
Upon this turned to the child. To
my surprise, she was gone, leaving me
alone with the dying woman. Kneel-
ing beside her l called aloud in her ear
and gently shook her, when again she
grew partially sensible.
Where is the child r. I said. "I
want her to call some one in the house,
60 as to get little help.
"Child, what child 7" she said.
Susie" said I recalling her name.
At this the woman suddenly sat up,
pointed across the garret and exclaimed,
Susie,-she's over yonder-been dead
these three days. Starved too, l guess"
and SO saying she fell back, groaned,