Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-11-23

At last, l rose and undrecsed me, had
said my prayers, and was creeping into
bed, when great horror and trembling
II can't describe it any other way-felI
upon me. There seemed no reason for
it'll didn't think of any reason, that
remember but there | stood shaking
though it was July night, shaking from
head to foot, and grasping the bed post.
Il must be nervous, said |, at last,
with laugh; 'sakes alive! bow father
would laug b at me. But, Tor! it must
be because I'm so tired out And get
ting into bed, I drew Willie toward me,
with feeling Of relief, as | felt his soft,
little hand on my breast. The shivering
fit had left me. but | couldn't sleep.
Toss an tumble, toss an tumble, all
that blessed night! The room as hot any
oven; the queetest fancies in my head
of hearing soft footsteps through the
house. Believing them to be fancies. |
wouldn't give way to EN-, though. no.
how; till at last, toward one o'clock. l
fell asleep. must have slept Till raarly
three, and then the great horror and
trembling was on me again, taking me
this time in my sleep. But | had con-
seriousness now of something wicked
near ne-of something dreadful about
to happen--and | awoke. Tdere, in
the grey morning light, sat Sairy on the
bed, looking down, SO | couldn't see her
eyes. She had the Ratchet in her hand
the one we used for chopping wood
aud she was drawing it back aud forth
over the fingers of her other hand.
Did I scream. You ask, Kate9 Nomy
dear. What kept me from itf Per-
haps it was fright; perhaps it was my
babyy's dear little lips pressing against
my breast, begging me to be calm. for
his sake. No; | said one silent prayer
to God. and lay still. watching her
Suddenly she turned and looked at me /;
knew now what the queer look in her
ewes meant-the creature was crazy
and there lay Willie aud in her pow
err.
'Sairy,' said |, looking right in her
eyes, though my voice sounded hollow
and strange to me, not like my own, is
it time to get upP
She said not word, but looked away
again, nodding her head up and down
two or three times, and drawing the
Ratchet through her fingers a before.
'Sairy,' said | again, with difficulty.
for my heart seemed to rise to my throat
and lie beating there, is it so late?--
Then l must get up
She turned on me now with sharp,
suspicious look: won't be given up to
them she said
No, no. Sa:ry,' said | soothingly.
Il tell you won'tP she exclaimed.
raising her voice to loud, sharp key;
: l know they'll come for me, those evil
spirits, aud try to drag me back 10 that
cold, dark place! But | won't 60; l
won't co.
Her voice had sunk to low mutter.
ing she was feeling of the hatcbet again,
casting side long glances at me.
No. Sai'y,' said |, rising with des,
perate effort, while nv whole body and
the night dress that | had on seemed
bathed in chilly ssweat, we won't let
them come. Hand me my clothes that
lie on that chair, Sary.' To my sur
prise she obeyed me. and | dressed my
self, hardly able TO stand. For, think
what it was, girls. for q young thing
scarce twenty years old, with young
baby, besides, to be in the power of
woman like this.
When | was dressed, we went down
stairs; | first, for so she ordered me-
o. the horror of hearing that creature
steal after me as went down with Viii
lie in my arms, not daring to look be
hind, and dreading every moment the
fall of her Ratchet on my neck! But we
got down safe enough.
What day that VAS, girls! Not r
moment would the creature leave me /;
not one step would she allow ne to take
outside, though the poor cows were low
ing in most pitiful way for some one
to come and milk them. Not door or
window would she allow to be opened.
walked up and down with Willie cry
ing, and frel,ipg all day, nearly, poor
little fellow, and racked my brains for
some way of escape from her hands,
But coubl think of nothing. o, if
some neigbbor would come! How /
prayed to God to send them! But no
one came, and as the day wore on grew
desperate. The night should no; find us
again alone with this creature!
.Sairy,' said, ! very quietly, after
thinking a minute, I'm going up stairs
to lay the baby on the bed And with
that walked to the stairs, she following
me close.
Hark. harkP said I, suddenly stop
ping, when half way up, what noise il
that in the front roomi Run, rum
/ spoke like one in a terrible fright
and il infected her. With wild cry she
rushed to the room-a small one sdjoin
ing the kitchen. at the same instant
ran for my life up stairs. Alb girls, I've
run that race over again many night in
my sleep! Before reached the door
heard her ma yell. and the flying of bel
feet after me. Gssping for breath,
reached the room, slammed the door
and boIted il just in time! Then stood
painting and listening to her outside
She was raving, now; bowling ant
springing up against the door like som
wild beast. Then, again she would rusl
| up and down the hall, CRYING out in ID,