The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-01-08

l"hiDii "iV hut Al0luSh"9 VpOh ~ ouH9HA"D
and breeze.
"The evening was cold and dreary, and
my disappointment at not meeting Clarke,
according to his promise, made me so down
hearted that felt ready to burst into tears
but the curious eyes that peered at me from
doors and windows were incentives enough
for an exhibition of strength rather than
weakness
'The landlady came in after while and
invited me into a low, damp room, where
supper was set, The fare was homely, but
indeed acceptable after our journey, to both
Eddie and myself
"My nervous presentiment of danger,
however, seemed to gather strength every
moment.
''At table | was served by man whose
hideous countenance was worse than the
nigbt-mare by jealousy bred
"EIe eyed me with persistent curiousity
in his gupiug sensual mouth, and pale in
famed, blue eyes, that almost drove me to
distraction.
"As often as l met his gaze | shuddered,
IS from a loathsome touch, and wished-oh,
how wiidly!-for Clarkc's noble presence
and his protecting arm.
"rhis abhorred creature with his horrible
eyes attempted TO pet my little Eddie, but
the child shrank from him just as | did,
and ANONYMOUSLY rejected the advances that
we're made.
''rhe time for retiring for the night at last
came round, and as it was long past the
hour when could hope for Clarke's arrival,
and as had no excuse to feign that might
remain longer in the public room, l rose re-
luctantly ard followed my landIady out into
the hall and up the creaking, narrow flights
Of stairs-for she gave me an apartment in the
attic Of the house, averring, when questioned
As to the reason, that her house was so
crowded that she was unable to extend more
comfortable accommodations.
"Trembing with ill-defned fear, bade
the landlady goodnight, and standing at my
open door, counted the sounds of her foot
steps down the stairs.
Returning to the hearth where few
aggots bazed and smoked, l took Eddie on
my knee and prepared the little fellow for
his nights rest.
"Whiic was hearing his prayers, he sud
denly interrupted me;
Mamma, he asked, looking up in my
anxious face, with his blue, peaceful res.
Mamma, do you like that man with the
ugly face down-stoirs?"
'''NIy SON why do you ask me such
question? enquired, almost breathlessly.
because l don't, he replied, myster-
iously.
"'Why not? asked, smiling, in spite of
my anxiety, at the wise look on his coun-
tenance.
Because he snapped his eyes and turned
so red in the face when he saw the gold in
your purse that you took out to pay the
driver, answered Eddie.
Nonsense, darling, you should not sus-
pect persons of evil; it is always sad enough
when we find it out
81 stopped and kissed my child, but my
heart beat loudly with fear found it i'm
possible to control, struggle with myself, and
laugh at my timidity as | would.
"For long while after Eddie went to bed,
l sat musing by the hearthstone, starting
hurriedly at every creaking sound or foot
step could hear without.
"The fre-light threw long, fantastic
shadows on the ceiling and the walls, and
covered closer and shuddered neryously as |
watched them lengthen and darken as the
faggots dropped into ashes.
cat last, prepared for bed, attempted to
secure the door for the night, but it had no
fastenings upon it Of any kind or quality.
"To retire in that unprotected fashion, in
strange house, and alone, was something
could not think of for an instant.
"Finally, an idea presented itself which
seemed entirely feasible.
"Exerting myself to the utmost pushed
an old-fashioned chest of drawers against the
door, and on top Of it piled the two stiff
backed wooden chairs the room afforded.
"After this exertion, feeling more COM
posed and satisfied, / retired and fell into a
heavy slumber.
SHOW long lay there l cannot tell.
SIT surely could not have been many mo-
moments, when was suddenly startled into
the most intense Consciousness that there
was some one in the room beside little Eddie
and myself, for distinctly heard heavy and
labored breathing.
''Lying there, with my startled, wide.
awake eyes, wondering how this invisible
person could have entered, glanced toward
the door, but the chest of drawers and the
chairs remained siationary-as had placed
them upon getting into bed-and surely nc
one could have entered through the door
without displaciug them and making a nois,
that would have startled the whole house
hold
81 listened again to assure myself wa
not mistaken and Beyond a doubt, | hearC
q heayily-drawn breath, and it seemed tC
emanate from something prone upon the
aoor
suddenly the awful thought flashed
across my brain that the hideous son Of tn,
andlady had entered the room and concealed
himself before | took possession, and this