The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1870-01-20
rHE nov wIrm srRoxe NERVES.

/ ton school he found all the boys in such
state Of excitement that his arrival
+ as new scholar was hardly noticed
! Jack had never been to boarding school
before, and, of course, did not see any
thing strange in the fact that the other
boys left him to himself; nor would
he have ever found out il was unusual
if Tom Finch had not told him so, the
evening after his arrival. Tom was
Jacks cousin, and as soon as he could
get away from his classes he came 10
give Jack welcome, and help him ar
range his room.
"W hat! this ,"
+ This was the exclamation uttered by
Tom as he crossed the threshold of
Jacks chamber and looked around
with CONSERVATION on his face.
whats the matter, Tom ?" asked
Jack, in surprise.
Matter" cried Tom, do you
mean to say that this is the room
they've given you?"
YES"
"Whe-e-e e-e -e-e-e-ew!''
''What in the worlds the matter Z?
/ What are you whistling abou ?''
"O-nothing Its nothing only
was thinking-that they would give
/ you another one, somewhere else"
Tom stammered and hesitated while
saying this. but Jack did not remark
/ it.
"Well, it's not bad room, said he;
''I'm glad l have 50 good a one"
Tom had 10 leave pretty early, and
promised, as he left the room, to be
back on the following evening.
On the next evening, as they sat at
supper. TJm suddenly changed the
! conversation with
80, Jack, forgot to ask you how
you slept last night"
Sound as top" said Jack.
"Hem! Didn't you hear any-any
I disturbance >"
mo"
: mo noises ?'
"My dear Tom, / was so far away in
the land of Nod, that no sounds, from
this world could reach me-"
"And you like the room stin?"
1.-THE room? Like it? Of course /
do. It's frst-rate room. But ex-
plain what all this means. You have
a peculiar look whenever you speak a.
bout that room. What's the matter
with it? Has any one died there with
the small pox ~
No"
"Weli, what's the matter with it ?''
80, never mind"
''But / want 10 know"
''IIl tell you some time.
why not now?n
There's no necessity. I'd rather
not. I'll tell you in week or so, if
you wish bat you won't need me to
tell you. You'll find out soon enough
yourself"
Several hours passed, and Tom was
in Jacks room, telling a ridiculous
story about one fthe boys, when sud-
! denly he stopped short, and stared at
Jack, with his face ghastly white.
why, Tom, cried Jaek, ,. "what in
the world is the matter with you
Yol look
"Didn't you hear il - gasped Tom,
I in a scarcely audible voice.
Hear il az
"Yes- the-:he-ther it is again.
4 O, can't stand it!"
"You are crazy?" cried Jack, start
ing up, ami going over TO his cousin.
You're as pale as death. What's the
matter -
''It is there"' He shuddered.
Nov I'll be blowed if ! can make
you out at all. What do You mean ?"
cried Jack.
"As he spoke, there came dull,
low sound, like footfall overhead,
rather indistinct, bat regular like
some one walking with a muffied
tread. Over Jacks room was large,
unfinished garret, extending the " mole
length Of the building, and Jack at
once thought that some of the boys
were up there.
''Tom's condition now was really a.
farming. "There, there-that is it
that is it - he cried, and as he spoke,
low sigh came to Jack s ears.
what! that ~ cried Jack. "Do
you mean TO say that you're afraid oil
that? You are crazy. Itis only some
one walking in the garfet in his slip
/ pers, or in his stocking feet. / hear
the wind, too, blowing aboutth place.
Are you such fool, Tom, as to be a
fraid Of that's?
so, you don't know-you don't
know said Tom.
We'll, / will know precious soon.
said jack; and seizing lamp, he
strobe toward the door.
Come along, Tom.
But Tom didn't move.
VIII you come and see for yourself?
said Jack.
/ wouldn't go up there for the
world nor would any of the boys
Jack there's horror up there. None
of the boys dare stay in the room.
wouldn't. You stay here because yor
don't know; but you'll leave it soon e
nough. There is something up there
We often hear it; and it is In this room
that It sounds the worst. It's mys
terious walk Of something. You heal
football, and sigh, as one in pain