Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-05-16

resS, which had been exploring, be-
sides number of old coins, and lamp
or two, which / had purchased 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 serious
ly of looking out for some sheltered spot
under thicket in which to pass the
night, when the welcome sound of foot
steps behind me fell upon my ears.
Presently, a man, dressed in the usual
long, shaggy coat of shepherd, over
took me; and hearing of my difficulty,
offered to conduct me to house at a
short distance from the road, where |
might obtain 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 a good supper, also better
than | should expect, to look at him
but he had been in different circumstan-
ces once, and had lived in service in
ought to be, and what a sign0re like my
self was used to.
The house to which he took me, SEEM
ed, like its owner, to have seen better
days. 1t was large, rambling place,
and much dilapidated, but it was toler-
ably comfortable within and my land
lord, after he had thrown off his sheep
skin coat, prepared me good and saw
DRY meal, and sat down to look at and
converse with me while ate it. | did
not much like the look of the fellow
but he seemed anxious to be sociabe,
and told me great deal about his form
er life, when he was in service, ex-
pecting to receive similar confidence
from me. did not crafty him much,
but one must talk of something and he
seemed to think it only proper to ex-
press an interest in his guests, and to
learn as much of their concerns as they
would tell him.
Il went to bed early, intending to re-
sumo my journey as soon as it should
be light. My landlord took up my
knapsack, and carried it to my room.
observing, as he did so, that it was
great weight for NE 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 | could explain, he
wished me most happy little night,
and left me.
"The room in which | found myself
was situated at the end of a long pas
sage. There were two rooms on the
right side of the 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 | understood exactly
the position of my chamber, -the end
room Of a long, narrow wing, project
ing at right angles from the main build
ing, with which it was connected only
by the passage, and the two side rooms.
already menSoncd. Please to bear this
description carefully in mind while
proceed.
" Before getting to bed, | drove IN the
floor, close to the door, a small gimlet,
which formed part of the complicated
pOcket-linife which | always carried
with me; so that it would be impossible
for any one to enter the room without
my knowledge. There was a lock to
the door, but the key would not turn in
it; there was also bolt, but it would
not enter the hole intended for it. the
door having sunk, apparently, from its
proper level. | satisfied myself, how
ever, that the door was securely fas-
tened by my gimlet, and soon fell
asleep.
How can describe the strange and
horrible sensation which oppressed me-
as | woke out of my first slumbcr? |
had been sleeping soundly; and before
quite recovered consciousness, | had in
stinctively risen from my pillow, and
was crouching forward my knees drawn
up, my hands clasped before my face,
and my whole frame quivering with
horror. | saw nothing, felt nothing {;
but sound was ringing in my ears
which seemed to make my blood run
cold. | could not have supposed it pos
sible that any mere sound, whatever
might be its nature, could have prOduc-
ed such a revulsiOn of feeling, or inspir-
ed such intense horror as | then expert
enCed. 1t was not cry of terror that |
heard that would have reused me to ac-
ton; nor the moaning of one in pain :;
that would have distressed me, and call
ed forth sympathy, rather than aversion
True, it was like the groaning of one in
anguish and despair, but not like any
mortal voice Itseemed too dreadful.
too intense, for human utterancc The
sound had begun, while | was fast asleep
close to the head of my bed, close to my
very pillow; it continued after was
awake, "a long, loud, hollow, protract-
ed groan, making the midnight air re-
vertebrate, and then dying gradually
away, until it ceased entirely. 1t was
some minutes before | could at all re-
cover from the terrible impression
which seemed to stop my breath and
paralyze my limbs. At length, began
to look about me; for the night was not
entirely dark and | could discern the
outlines of the room, and the several
pieces of furniture in it. | then got out
of bed. and called aloud, Who is there &?
What is the matter? Is any one ii!?' |
repeated these inquiries in Italian and in
French; but there was none that an
swered. Fortunately, had some mat
ches in my pocket, and was able to light
my candle | then examined every part
of the room carefully, and especially the
wall at the head Of my bed, sounding it
with my knucllles. 1t was firm aud
solid there, as in all other places. |
unfastened my door, and explored th"
passage and the two adjoining rooms,
which We're unoccupied and almost dcs-
titute of furniture. They had evident
" not been used for some time. Search
rs would I could gain no clew to the
mystery. Returning to my room. sat
down upon the bed in great perpleXity.
and began to turn over in my mind
whether it was possible [ could have
been deceived whether the sound
which caused me such distress might t."
the offspring of some dream or night
mare; but to that conclusion | could
not bring myself at all, much as | wish
ed it; for the groaning had continued
ringing in my ears long after | was
wide awake and conscious. While [
was thus rejecting. having neglected to
close the door, which was opposite to
the side of my bed where was sitting,
! heard a soft footstep at a distance. and
presently a light appeared at the farther
end of the passage. Then | saw the
shadow of a man cast upon the opposite