The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1871-12-02

1 heard q footstep in my room--the step
Of an elephant, it seemed to mc-it was
not like anything human. But it was
moving from, me--there was "a relief in
that heard it approach the door,
pass out without removing bolt or lock, {,
and wander a*ay among the dismal cor
ridors, strainiug the floors and joists till
they creaked again as it passed, and
then silence reigned once more.
When my excitement had Gained l
said to myself: "This is dream--sin,-
ply hidious dream" And so I lay
thinking it over until convinced my
self that it was C drca!si, and then a
comfortable laugh relaxed my lips, and
l was happy again. I got up and struck
q light, and when ! found that the locks
and bolts were just as l had left them,
another soothing laugh wellcd in my
heart and ripp!ed fros. my lips. took
my pipe aud lit it, and was just setting
down before the FIRE, when-down went
the pipe out of my nerveless fingers, the
blood forsook my cheeks, and my placid
breathing was cut short with a gasp |!
In the ashes on the hearth, side by side
with my own footprint, was another so
vast that, in comparison, mine was but
a tiny infauts. Then l had had visi-
tor, and the elephant tread was cx-
planned.
l put cut the light and returned to
bed, pa!sied with fear. I lay long
time peering into the darkness, and list
ening.-Then l heard grating noise
overhead, like the dragging of heavy
body across the floor; then the throwing
down Of the body, and the shaking of
my windows in response to the coucus-
sion. In distant parts Of the building
| heard the muffled slamming Of doors.
L heard, at intervals, stealthy footsteps
creeping in and cut among the corridors
and up and down the stairs. Sometimes
these noises approached my door, hesl
tated aud went again. l heard the clank
ing of chains family in remote passages,
and listened while the. clanSing drew
it wearily climbed the
stairways, marking each move by the
loose surplus Of chain that fell with an
accented rattle upon each succeeding
step US the goblin that bore it advanced
! Il.card mutt, red sentences, half uttered
screams chat sccmcl smOthertd violently
and the switch Of invisible garments,
the rush of invisible wings. Then
became conscious that my chamber was
invadcd-lh It | was not alone. | heard
sislis and hreathngs about my bed, and
mysterious wh;sporinss. Three little
spheres OF self phosphorcsccnt i,ht APP
prared OF tho ceiling directly over my
head, cung and lowed there moment,
aud then dropped-two of them one upon
my face, and one upon the pillow They
spnttered, l;quidly, and felt warm. Intu-
ton told me that they had turned to
gouts of blood as they fell i need
ed no light to satisfy myself Of that.
Then saw palled faces, dimly lumin-
GUS, aud white up!iited hands, noatng
bodiless in the air-hoating moment
aud thnn disappearing The whisper
ing ceased, and the voices and tho
sounds, aud Il solemn stiffness followed.
[ felt that [ must have light or die. |
was weak with fear.-T slowly raised
myself toward sitting posture, and my
face came in contact with Il clammy
hand! All strength went from me APP
parautly, and fell back like u stricken
invalid Then | heard the rustic Of IL
garment-it seemed to pass to the door
aud 90 out
When everything was still once more,
L crept out of bed, sick and feeble, and
lit the gas with hand that tre2.bled as
if it were aged with hundred years
The light brought some little cheer to
my spirits. | sat down and fell into a
dreamy contemplation of that great foot
print in the ashes. By and by its out
lines began to waver and grow dim. /
glanced up and the broad gas flame was
slowly willing away. In the same me-
ment heard that elephantic tread again
| noted its approach, nearer and
nearer, along the musty halls, and dim
mer and DINNER the light waved. The
tread reached my very door and paused
the light dwiudled to sickly blue,