Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-11-05
Continued from the LIST page.

Without reply the man extended his
arm, as pointing to the garden, and,
striding across the room, passed
through the window Opening to the
ground) into the garden.
GA cool hand, whoever you are !"
exclaimed the Colonel, and starting
up, at once followed the intruder,
whom he was on the point of overtak-
ing just as the latter turned the angle
of a shrubbery, and entered the avenue
of walnut trees, leading to the alcove
before described. Hardly asecond had
elapsed, yet the walk was vacant. The
man had DISAPPEARED!
The Colonel rubbed his eyes in a
mazement. Up to that moment no
idea of the supernatural had occurred
to him. He had heard the mans step,
and observed his features in the mirror
(they were those of a young and rather
well looking man, with singularly
large eyes, and suspicion prompted
by the remarkable dress and manner,
that he was an escaped lunatic, had
crossed the ColonePs mind. There
was no place of concealment close at
hand, save the shrubs, which Col. Ell
derton Immediately examined; nor had
the gardener, whom he found at work
near the alcove, been passed by the
stranger.
Returning to the house, the Colonel
found a letter from his ex-butler, in
which, after recapitulating a series of
disturbances of the kind already men
toned, which he had been inclined to
attribute to thieves, until he found
that, not only was his s'silver" perfect
ly safe, but everything to the smallest
article, untouched, the writer dwelt
upon the peculiar whizzing sound that
daily-nay, several times in day
passed directly through the room oe-
cupied by the servants. At first, bear
ing some resemblance to the passage
of huge bird, though invisible, it
terminated in the distinct pronuncia-
ton of the word "Hushp' drawled
out, and then taken up by another
voice, and another, as watchword
might be passed along line of sem
tries. This sound-far more than
any other-disturbed the hearers, and
it was always some minutes before
equanimity was restored, and any one
felt disposed to quit the room-alone.
Even against this however the but
Ter declared his courage wo1td have
supported him, but for the occurrence
he now, at his late masters request,
was about to relate.
A little before dusk, one day late in
August, he had occasion to pass
through a gallery on the basement,
leading to the servants hall, at one end
of which stood mangle, or rather
press, for the tablecloths in use. Be-
fore this press, as if examining it,
stood very tall man, clad in a long
coat of yellow frieze, with a narrow
peaked hat, from which long fair hair
descended on his shoulders.
At the question "Hallo! What's
that?" from the surprised butler, the
man turned round and came toward
him. The butler then saw that the
visitor appeared to be of middle age,
had very large blue eyes, and what
seemed like narrow red scarf drawn
across part of his forehead. Without
pausing for an instant the figure march
ed straight upon his questioner, who
mechanically extended his arms. To
his unutterable amazement they met
with no resistance, and Halsewell, as
if awakening from dream, found
himself standing in the middle of the
passage alone!
Notwithstanding this incident the
butler was reluctant to quit his mas
ter's service; but feeling that his story,
if told, would either be disbelieved, or,
if believed, greatly increase the alarms
and annoyances to which his mistress
was exposed, he finally resolved to
leave as mentioned.
Clearing mysterious noises; talking
of ghosts, and probably dreaming Of
them, would easily account for the
gentleman in frieze admiring my table
cloths!" thought the Colonel, as he
finished the letter.
But on that very day arrived a very
singular confederation, and from a
totally independent source.
II had occasion, day or two since"
wrote a friend to him, ''to mention
your name at dinner party. is that
Elderton who has taken Holwych
Mansion, may I ask?' inquired
stranger who sat near me. Yes 4
was o former occupant the man re-
sumed, and 1 should much like, with
your permission, to ask you question,
at another moment, regarding its
present condition. l have heard that
your friend has excellent taste, and
the place was certainly susceptible of
Improvement | aSsented. Later that
evening we had some talk, and the re-
suit was the small note now inclose.
If, during your residence at Holwych,
nothing of strange and disturbing
nature-incapable of explanation
has occurred, you are earnestly request
ed to destroy the note, unread if it
has, open and compare a former ten
ants experience with your own"
The Colonel at once adopted the
latter course. The note, passing
slightly over miscellaneous cause Of
disturbance, gave concise, but clear,
description Of the perpetual "hush-
ings," and of three several appearances
of the man in yellow frieze, with the
peaked hat and large blue eyes!
After this but little time was lost in
preparation. But it was not without
regret that the Eldertons turned their
backs on their cheap but uncomforta
BILE paradise.
$50 it was not school after all,'
remarked the Colonel, as they drove
away. ABut, as that boy candily
warned us, it has it's 'ushersw
Whot hooono If fho esbucboroo q flor