The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-07-05
COL. DEM. -. VOL. XXXVI-- NO. 20.

upon me then that might be dream
ing. A funny combination Of sense and
nonsense followed. wanted to speak |
to the man but was afraid / might
waken myself by 1t. could remember
spelling many delicious entertaining
vision by trying to utter one little
word.
wanted to see this thing out, so 1t
was wisdom in me to keep still. Unless
the shadow did something positively
disagreeable or impolite, would keep
utter silence.
AS If to provoke me into making a
move that big long right arm upon the
wall was stretched out towards the
bureau.
"There goes my watch ~ thought,
and turned square around to see If the
shadow was belieing the substance. Not
bit of it. The substance was drop
ping something into his handkerchief,
and "good bye to my little Geneva time
keeper ~ / felt strong gdisposi-
ton to cry. After this Mr.. Substance
led his shadow across the room to the
door, strutting along as though he knew
himself to be master of the situation.
Then he turned and looked me over
in cool deliberate way that made me
very angry. thought he wanted my
solitaire, and SO hid my hand under my
book. After awhile he turned his at
tention to my night dress thrown across
the back of chair. 1t pleased him
nightly. lie took 1t up, shook 1T, first
looked at one sleeve, then at the other,
tried to button the collar round his own
burly throat, and failing in it, threw it
with all his might into the corner.
ga pretty piece of impudence" l
thought to myself. "If 1 could only
draw my handkerchief around his neck
so tightly as to choke him?' .
Then it was that L began to think l
was acting the part of the coward.
Why, after it was all over with, 1 would
die of shame that 1 had allowed that
fellow, or ghost-I could not tell which
to make off with his spoils, and never
so much as to raise my finger to pre-
vent it.
He went to the dressing bureau and
took up a brush, and leisurely remov-
ing his hat began to brush his curls.
My! but what beautiful hair he had.
Such mass of glossy silken curls
covering his head! That wasn't
shadow.like It all. felt strong dis
position to put an end to my doubts by
clenching hand into the shining rings,
but I stirred not step. At last he
turned to the windowaud began to undo
the fastenings. ....
1 became suddenly desperate. lie
should not escape me so, L would catch
hold of him and scream for help. If he
was "not of earth earthly" why, o.
course he would slip through my fin
gers, but spirits did not take Genevf
vauorrvp--y,v .rvuovuSu--vr !. Dr"Dii e'."i'
curls with ladies' hair brushes. To this
worlds goods they maintained d bliss
full Indifference.
The window was unfastened and
swung partly open, when gave a leaf
forward-a leap, by the way, which
would have made the fame of circus
performer of the scream that accom-
panied the movement 1 have nothing
to say. Those who were aroused from
deep slumber by it, declared that i
was an inhuman howl, fitted only t,
J scare sinners in the lower regions. M.
only thought, when I sprang from m.
chair was to getposseSsion of my visitor
bright handkerchief. did clasp it firm
| ly with my fingers and hold fast to il
, but it slipped from his neck, and b
, escaped from me into darkness.
The next minute there was crying
pattering and fluttering in the hall
, and 1 found myself back in my arm
chair overlooking the most terrified sc
: of human countenances that eve
confronted man or woman.
"What is it?" they all asked, in
: breath. "What made you scream so
e "What have you not undressed
!, "What is the matter?' were showere
upon me as thick as hail stones. I lool
y ed around me doggedly.
"There was man in the room and
l tried to stop him." 1 answered in
! trembling voice.
l. "Goodness! 1 don't see what yc
1t wanted to stop him for, Maggie. Didn
J. you want him to go?" Hattie Brow
d said, her teeth chattering.
% / gave her whitening glance.
e "But he made off with my watch
y "Oh, a robber Was the watch und
y your pillow"
y "No, on the bureau"
e "Miss Margaret Verne, you've had
er nightmare. Here is your watch {
lr the bureau now, just where you Il
itW
ID The six pieces.of femininity in lol
es nightgowns Uttered in unity at this.
A. grew desperate. 1t was my duty.to 4
n. fend myself, so rising, l told the sto
le in plain, unmistakable English. VIII
r. 1 got 10 the place where the robl
It, brushed his curls, Mrs. Holland int
hit rupted her.
ly "Where did he get his brush? th'
is none in the room. l mentioned il
L Gerty after we were in bed"
IS, Another litter or cackle greeted i
81 don't care, brush or no brush,
he brushed his eurls !"
II. Sand took your watch said BE
he Sloan.
tt. Sand l tore his handkerchief FRI
ae his neck"
nd Another laugh, and then Hat
le, Brown came to me and put her pre-
mt arms about my neck.
pg "Never mind dearie! just you &c
fe. he'd now. I'll stay with you till Inc
aen ing, only you mustn't scream at y
BILE robber next time"
could have cried with vexation.
nv "But i wasn't asleep, and-an
md where is my diamond ring?"
ht- II was pone from nv finger