The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-03-22

A TRRR1DLE NIaHT.--Whep was Br.
tish CONSUL at Bio Jx6eiro,EI passed a
night OF horror swhic6 morning revealed
under the most painfully distressing cir
|cumstanoes. aud tile mournfHl results of
which could have been 30 easily prevent
ed bad il not been for Negligence on my
part, that have never ceased to blame
myself for the horrible death that occur
red.
A rich trader from the interior called
at the consulate to transact some bust.
ness in regard to the shipment OF hides
and tallow, and as ho came bringing q
letter OF introduction from an old friend
OF mine, I extended to him the, hospi-
tality OF my residence. He was q socia-
ble, wel)-infOrmed man. had been en-
gagged in the oattie trade, both in Cnli-
fornia and Australia, and could rclaie
thrilling incidents by the hour, md so
Interested me by his conversation, that
forgot an important business transac-
tion, and found myself compelled to
make my excuses after tea. for the pur-
pose Of attending to it. leaving the
trader on the verandAh to enjoy his
smoke. L WAS absent longer than I had
intended to be, and returned to find that
my guest had retired for the night. I
also found upon my table a bottle, ac-
conpsnied by note; but suppoaiue it
to DO some present Of wine or other
drink, which 1 was the daily recipient
of, left it to be examined and perhaps
tested by my gu, st mud myself at the
breakfast-table next moruing, and re-.
tired. The weather being very warm, it
WAS my custom to leave the inner doors
or my residence all open for IL free cir
culatlon of air; but this night retired.
feeling an unusual oppression from the
heat, and there seemed to be som.
strange influence acting upon me-, soms
foruboding of lear that held me in wake-
fnlness until fur into the night.
1t WAS perhaps 2 o'clock when I was
aroused by II most nnearthIy groan, and,
springing up I'D bed, snw the most fright
full sight tllat l ever beheid, almost
freezing the blood in my veins-a HI
deous form rObed III white, with bloody
foam; each hair seomcd to stand separate
from the other upon its hesd, aud it's
eyes denthly glnring az it came towards
mo with outstretohed hands. utterinR
the most unearthly groaus. In horror,
sprang out of bed aud ran, pursued by
tho awful form, IN l croucllsd here and
there to escape 1t; bat on 1T came, grow
ing more fearful as it approached. At
last, thought of the latticed closet in
the adjoining room. und fled for it, my
very kuees knocking with fear, reaching
1t nnd closing the door as my ghostiy
pnrsmer put his hands through tho
Orond lattice work, reaching fur III after
NE; but was sale from pursuit ut last,
and Ill the feoling of security, my
strength all gnvn way, and thole I lay
upon tho floor in hclplessnuss, us stared
out at the fearful form that wsa cllnging
to tho lattice trying to reach me, while 1t
uttered the most pItiful maons.
The excitement had beeu too much for
my woAk frame, az l had only recovered
from an e1hausting illness, and 1
swooned away uuder 1t. How long lay
i'll an iusenslble condition know not;
but when revived the horrible forni
was still there, but it had inllsn by the
door, and was lying still, with its face
npturned aud its eye fixed in deathly
glare. Oh, Heavens, what could it be
1t wns no phantom of air, aud yet l
could not believe it to be human form.
Was 1t some victim Of O premature burinl
from the plague that had torn away from
the imprisonment Of the coffin, aud
come to pursue me with its deadly cof-
tngion? / shuddered TO think it; n, d
| then was forced to remain III my fright
and weakness within reach of the fearful
and CHASTITY form, visible from the dim
lights always kept burning in my
rooms ut night. Again swooned away,
aud when next / revived the broad day
light was streaming in on tho stark, atif]
form lying at the door Oh, Heavens,
it Was the trader! And yet it was diff.
cult, in those feariully distorted anil
fouming features. to recognize him; but
yet it was my guest-snch gnesi, aud
such hosti What an uni. territorial
turn my hospitality had taken! An,l
what pitiful appeal my guest WAS max.
ing to me, had but known il!
My servant cnmo and threw somo light
upon the matter by telling mo that the
trader hnd given him the bottle and
note; particularly insisted upon his Civ
ing it to mo and calling my attention tc
it on my return. The note was brought,
read it. aud all was explained. alusl toe
late. The trader was subject to fearful
| fits, aud the bottle contained tho onI,
medical preparation that would restore
him; and his note explained ull this, aud
requested me, in tho event Of his being
| k.,l,. Ii, ~, f.,I1