Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-01-09
ROCKVILLE MARYLAND FRIDAY MORNING. JANUARY 1874.

gust that Col. Somervillcj accompanied
by valet who had been in his servic,
about two years, actually entered us {
residents But in that house he only re.
manned one night, and he never slept
there again.
He arrived in town about midday on
the Wednesday in the first week in Au-
gust. The day was opprcssively gloomy
and dull in the country, and all London
seemed to be seething in sullen heat.
He went with his valet to his new house
in-squaro. The cabman took the
fare offered to him without grumbling
observing Gas he glanced somewhat sus-
piciously at the house,, "This is the first
time as ever drove gentleman, nor q
lady neither, to this here 'ouso," and he
went away as quickly as he could
Col Somorville took no notice Of the
remark at the time, though it came viv.
idly to his recollection afterward.
Having deposited his luggage, and
seen that his room looked tolcrably com
Portable, he told his servant that he in
tended to dine at his club and should be
home about eleven. The elderly deal
woman, / should say, was in attendance.
Well, the Colonel transacted his bust
ness, dined at his club with friend, and
returned to his house shortly after eleven
O'clock. His servant, a smart, active
young fellow. opened tho door for him,
showed him to his room, asked for his or
ders for the morning, and having rccciv-
cd them, retired to his room above.
1t was hot in the streets as Col Som
erville drove home it was hotter still in
his bedroom, yet he felt scarcely any i'm
clination to sleep. Another cigar, he
thought, would soothe him into somno-
lency; 80 he accordingly lit one, and
tried to amuse himself by considering
how he should furnish this new house,
having due regard to the exigcnces of
London gas and atmosphere. His cigar
finished, he undrcssed leisurcly and got
into bed; the wind, such as there was,
came from the south, and he heard the
great clock of Westminster strike twelve
By-and-by he heard the quarter, and
then the half hour, and then he fell off
into doze from which he was awakened
by repeated knocks at his door He CALI
ed out "Who's there r" but the answer
was unintelligiblc, though he heard a
voice in reply. He hastily lit the cam
die and opened the door In the passage
he found his servant half dressed, look
ing frightfully pale, and shivering vio-
lently from head to foot.
"Why. Warren, what on earth is the
matter2" he exclaimed; "are you i'll y
II don't quite know what is the mat
ter" was the reply. "Plcasc. sir, may
| como in p
Certainly" said tho Colonel, who
was one of the kindcst Of human beings ;
como in, Warren, you must DO ILL.,"
The man entered. shaking as if the
ague had seized him, and tho Colonel
hastily took his flask from his dressing
bag and gave him strong brandy and
water. This seemed to do Warren good,
and then his master asked him again
what was tho matter.
II don't rightly know, sir" he an
swcred. / went to bed all right, and
went sound asleep. But l had bad
dream. thought pale-faced man
came into my room, although | knew |
had locked the door, and he stood beside
my bed, looking for all the world, sir, as
if he would like to cat me and then the
air in the room became so oppressive that
it seemed to weigh upon my face and
head, and then this terrible shiverine
came over me as if was lying out Of
doors in bitter frost, though knew al
the same time how hot it was.
"Incipicnt fevcr," said the Colonel
"let me feel your pulse"
The man held out his wrist and biz
master felt the pulse.
Strange" be muttcred after a min.
ute or two. "IIave you ever had mala.
ria fever, intermittent, or that sort o
thing"
"No sir, never that am aware Of"
"But yet you must be i'll. Shall | g
and fetch doctor 2"
"Oh, no, thank you, sir. ! feel s
much better now"
"Well, then, Warren, / think you ha'
better 90 back to bed again"
The man became pale again instantly
and another attack Of shivcring seize
him, and he exclaimed almost in agony
"0h, no, sir, not to that room ! fec
certain that | should see that white-facc
man again, and feel that weight upon m
face and head. Oh, sir, do let mo Ii
here upon the floor"
The Colonel looked gravely at War
ren. He had, in India, seen a good dea
Of delirium tremcns, and ho entertaine
very strong suspicion that this was tn
real cause Of Warren's strange behavior
and vet the man had been in his servic
for some time, aud he had never had an,
reason to suppose that he was not thor
oughly temperate and sober So he said
"Wcll, you can take this blanket, ant
lie down upon the floor, or sit up in
chair, as you please. expect you will
be heartily ashamed Of yourself to-mor
row morning, Warren"
II think not, sir l shall only be mos
grateful TO you.
So Warren rolled himself in the blan
kct, and Col. Somerville put out the can
die and got into bed again, and tried 10
go to sleep.
His efforts were in vain. He knew
himself to be provokiugly wide awake,
and though be counted numberless sheep
going through gate, and resorted to all
those devices which are popularity suppo-
sed TO encourage sleep, he remained as