The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-02

,i,tim of some horrible hallucinstion, when
wild shrill scream, the agony Of whioh
naunts me still, rang through the silent build
ing, and a womans voice exclaimed, George,
George for Gods sake don't murder me y
A dull thud, as of some heavy Substance fall
ing to the ground, low gurgling noise, and
all was still.
Palsied with horror, stood leaning on the
chair to which had clung for support, every
nerve strained in agonized expectation of
renewal of the disturbance; but minute after
minute went by marked by the sound of the
revolving lights, and all remained as still as
the grave. Little by little L recovered power
over my thoughts, and sat down, trying to
account for the scene had just gone through.
Could any joke have been played on me?
That hardly seemed possible, for had barred
and locked the door myself, and tho key still
hung beside me. / could scarcely bring my
self to believe it was anything supernatural
for had been all my life a skeptic as to such
things; but how to account for the scufiiing
in the room close by me? I at length be-
came more emboldened by the perfect quiet
that reigned, and got out my revolver aud
loaded it carefully, and summoning up all
the resolution possessed, determined to go
down and examine the cellars where the
noises had apparently begun and ended.
Taking closed lantern in one hand and my
revolver in the other, I cautiously descended
the stair, looking around and behind me, /
must confess, with fear and trembling.
Nothing extraordinary was, however, visible;
the door was barred and fastened as 1 had
left it, and all the things that lay about were
in precisely the same positions as when
l had seen them last. Not q sound was to be
heard but the dash of the waves, which broke
upon the walls around and above me now. I
was somewhat reassured by finding everything
as l had left it on coming in; but as l pre-
pared to descend the lower winding stair
leading to the cellars, felt a smothered SEN
sa,ion upon my chest, and my heart beat 80
loud that it would have been audible to any
one standing near. Down the narrow stair
went cautiously the air becoming colder at
every step, while the little light that came from
the lamp carried showed that the walls were
dank with moisture, and covered with fun
gold growths. When arrived at the bottom
/ found myself opposite strongly-built door,
not apparently fastened. The elammy sweat
rolled down my face, and it was some minutes
before l could summon up enough courage to
thrust the door open with my foot. Holding
the lantern forward, but almost dreadiug to
see what its light might reveal, 1 found that
two or three steps led down to large cellar,
made apparently in the rock ITSELF The walls
like those surrounding the stair, were dripping
with moisture, and peculiar earthly, sickly
odor seemed to taint the air; but, with ths ex-
ception of some billets OF wood, chopper
and large hammer thrown into q corner, the
place was perfectly empty. 1 satisfied myself
that there was no outlet to it; and barring the
door as best could, returned to the watch
room slightly relieved in mind, but more puz-
zled than ever to account for the scene had
gone through an hour before passed the
remainder of the night in the '1antern;"
and may no one ever know such wretched
hours as dragged their weary length along till
dawn
Out of the chaos of thoughts that went whirl-
ing through my brain, deter mined that, as
soon as ybreak released me from my watch,
would instantly go on shore and inform the
officer of the coast guard of the whole affair
A. about eight o'clock L securely fastened up
the place, lowered the boat, and taking ad-
vantage of the light wind, sailed on shore,
went straight up to the coast guard station,
and asked to see the officer. The men
gathered, think, from my haggard looks
and furried manner, that I had something of
importance to communicate; and one of them
took me at once to the officers cottage which
was not far distant.
Mr.. Thomson, who commanded the coast
guard, was man of about thirty-three years
of age. He had been a lieutenant in the
navy, and was now on half-pay. Being With
out private means, and seeing no immediate
prospect of active employment, he had peti
toned the Admiralty unit il they had given
him his present appointment; and the mer
who served under him said there was not
brayer or better officer in the whole service
After I had told my story exactly as the
circumstances which gave rise to it occurred,
Mr. Thomson gave me a keen, searching
glance, and very abruptly asked me what
stories the man had relieved had been put
ting ia my head.
l replied, none; that he was very un
communicative, and would hardly give any
reason for leaving, except thai the life was
so dull.
Every we'll, waa the quick answer; 'Il
| give you a man to stay few days, Some one
has been hoaxing you, or, more likely still
| you've dreamt the whole affair. Here, Will
| son, you must go OF to the lighthouse for 6
! few days; this man here thinks he'sbeen hear
! ing ghosts, or some nonsense of that sort
out yonder. You'd better go with him. aud
show him what rubbish it is; for think you
! fear neither man nor devil.
''Well, sir, was the reply, 'as regards the
! devil, | never come athwGrt his hawse yet
thank God! but | do hope, by the aid of
fair conscience as l shouldn't miss stays il
l did"
Every well, was the reply, chats settled.
Wilson will keep you company for few days
and hope / shall hear no more of the matter
No doubt you had nightmare; and I'd re-
commend you to keep a sharper eye after
your lamps, and then it won't occur again
Thatll do"
With this curt decision we were dismissed
and Wilson (Who happened to be the man Il
whom 1 had spoken on my first ARRIVAL and
strolled to his cottage to get what things h'
required while with me. On our way 1 retolC
my story; and although he was evidently in
| crednlOnS as to its being anvthino but /