The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-05-31

mediate vicinity of the town, began
to extend my walks to a greater dis.
lance; and as ] always reported myself
to the police before night, met with no
objection on their part.
"One day, however, when ] had been
as far as Alatri, and was returning on
foot, night overlook me. l had lost
my way, and could not tell how far l
might be from my destination. ! was
very tired, and had q heavy knapsack
on my shoulders, packed with stones
and relics from the ruins Of the old
Pelasgic fortress, which l had been
exploring, besides number of old coins,
and q lamp or two, which | had Pur-
chased there. could discern no signs
of any human habitation and the hills,
covered with wood, seemed to shut me
in on every side. was beginning to
think seriously of looking out for some
sheltered spot under q thicket in which
to pass the night, when the welcome
sound of footstep behind me fell upon
my ears. Presently, a man, dressed in
the usual long, shaggy coat Of q shep-
herd, overlook me; and hearing of my
difficulty, offered TO conduct me to a
house at q short distance from the road,
where might obtain a lodging; before
we reached the spot he told me that the
house in question was an inn, and that
he was the landlord Of it. He had not
much custom, he said, so he employed
himself in shepherding during the day !;
but he could make me comfortable, and
give me good supper, also; better than
l should expect, to look at him but he
had been in different circumstances
once, and had lived in service in good
families, and knew how things ought to
be, and what signore like myself was
used to.
"The house to which he took me
seemed. like its owner, to have seen
better days. 1t was q large, rambling
place, and much dilapidated, but it was
tolerably comfortable within; and my
landlord. after he had thrown off his
sheepskin coat. prepared me good
and sayory meal, and sat down to look
at and converse with me while l ate it..
/ did not much like the look of the
fellow; but he seemed anxious to be
sociable, and told me great deal about
his former life, when he was in service,
expecting to receive similar condolences
from me. did not crafty him much,
but one must talk of something; and
he seemed to think it only proper to
express an interest in his guests, and to
learn as much of their concerns as they
would tell him.
81 went to bed early, intending to
resume my journey as soon as it should
be light. Ny landlord took up my
knapsack, and carried it to my room,
observing, as he did so, that it was a
great weight for me to travel with.
answered, jokingly, that it contained
great treasures, referring to my coins
and relics; of course, he did not under
stand me, and before l could explain,
he wished me most happy little night,
and left me.
"The room in which / found myself
was situated at the end of long pas
sage. There were two rooms on the
right side of this passage, and window
on the left, which looked out upon a
yard or garden. Having taken sur
vey of the outside of the house, while
smoking my cigar, after dinner, when
the moon was up l understood exactly
the: position Of my chamber-the end
room of a long, narrow wing, projecting
at right angles from the main building,
with which it was connected only by
the passage, and the two side rooms al
ready mentioned. Please to bear this
description carefully in mind while
proceed.
Before getting into bed, / drove into
the floor, close to the door, small gim.
let, which formed part of a complicated
pocketknife which l always carried
with me; so that it would be impossible
for any one to enter the room without
my knowledge. There was lock to the
door, but the key would not turn in it
there was also bolt, but it would moi
enter the hole intended for it, the door
having sunk, apparently, from its pro
per level. satisfied myself, however
that the door was securely fastened by
my gimlet, end soon fell asleep.
"How can l describe the strange and
horrible sensation which oppressed me
as l woke out Of my first slumber?
had been sleeping soundly; and before
I quite recovered consciousness, hao
instinctively risen from my pillow, ano
was crouching forward, my knees
drawn up, my hands clasped before m,
face, and my whole frame ouiverinl
with horror. i saw nothing, telt moth
ing but sound was ringing in my
ears which seemed to make my bloot
run cold. l could not have supposed
it possible that any mere sound, what
ever might be its nature, could hav'
produced such revulsion Of feeling, o.
inspired such intense horror as ! thel
experienced. 1t was not a cry of terro
that heard; that would have rouset
me to action: nor the moaning of on
in pain that would have distressed M
and called forth sympathy, rather thar
aversion. True, 1t was like the groan