New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1879-09-10

lI0Dl1Sl3 OIL = IU1DI11 ~
There was 3 wedding in the neigh-
borho0d that evening, and party from
town had driven down early In the aft
ern0on and engaged all the apartments
except this one chamber.
:" But It you two gentlemen dom tob-
1ect to sharing the same room for q
few hours youth have to rise early to
take the mail-c0ach-I think / can
make you very comfortable. There are
two clean beds in the room, and
SIS I'm sure I'll not object inter-
rupted, turning to my fellow-traveler.
He hesitated an instant, then said.
We'll, sir, I'm agreed if you are;' then,
with an almost solemn tone, sRemem-
Der, sir, the proposal came from you,
and If Fate should
The establishment expressed, no
doubt, upon my face at this peculiar
address, caused him to stop. Then he
laughed pleasantly, and resuming his
usual manner, said. Excuse me, but
my mind. just now, is so occupied with
affairs very important to me that I'm
afraid my attention sometimes wan
ders. You are very kind to offer me
half OF your room. I accept with many
thanks And we passed into the tav-
ern, where good supper was awaiting
US.
There were no other guests at the
table. Al gone to the wedding the
1--WE did not regret in the least hav-
Ing the house to ourselves, and supper
being concluded, we went to the wide
front porch, where we spent the even
ing in pleasant talk.
! gave my companion q sketch of
my life for the past three or four years.
He reciprocated by telling me about
his family-his wife, and his lovely
daughter, who was very dear to him.
"'She is good girl, and very
pretty girl, too; everybody says so.
Stay-I've her miniature in my carpet
bag, and my wife's. too. III show
them to you
He rose from his seat, when sud-
den thought seemed to strike him, and
he resumed his chair, saying, I'D for
gotten. They have taken my carpet
bag upstairs to the room. You can
see them at bedtime
"About eleven, we rose to 20 to our
room. My companion preceded me.
l sought the landlord to ask that I
should be called at half-past four, 30
that 1 might dress and breakfast at my
leisure, before taking the coach again.
II fingered, chatting, for ten min
utes or so with mine host When at
last entered the bed-chamber, I found
my roommate had made good use Of
his time, and was already in bed, with
the coverlet drawn up to his very ears,
as If it had been December instead of
June. Making no comment, however,
l was soon occupying the second couch,
which stood in recess in the inner ex-
tremity of the room, on one side of the
great fireplace.
L did not sleep we'll. had teas
ing dream, which REQUIRED again and
again. 1t seemed to me that some one
was moving about the room with eyes
fixed on me. Once. I thought this figure
approached my bed, and hand touched
me.
reused with a start. When nv
eyes became accustomed to the dark
ness, saw the old gentleman looking
out of the window by his bedside.
He said he had been disturbed, and
he supposed the wedding guests were
just returning. Gay voices outside,
presently followed by footsteps ascend
ing the stairs, and mutual good-nights
exchanged, corroborated this feet
ure.
"Soon all became quiet, and I again
fell asleep, and was again disturbed.
This time was sure that there were
stealthy feet creeping around the room.
and that hoarse voice was muttering.
l listened, and distinctly heard the
words. The will OF Fate I called
out
"' who is therep'
mo answer followed. The mutter-
ing ceased. I heard the feet creeping
away toward the other bed. could
not stand the suspense, and sprang up
and lighted the candle in an instant.
{" There was no person in the room
but the gentleman, who was sitting up
in bed, looking startled.
"'D Did you hear that noiseP Were
you walking aboutr I asked.
- Walking aboutp' he replied. Il
am only just this moment awake. /
heard you call out, and l reused to see
what was the matter
"'l'm sure heard footsteps and
voices, too, in this room!'
80 Voices In the rooml You're sure
" mistaken
IS I'm not mistaken I repeated,
testify. why, Icould even distinguish
words. Something was said about the
"wiu Of Fate.'''
He laughed confusedly as he re-
piled, Tn afraid I've been talking in
my sleep again. Ny friends say I'm
addicted to that bad habit, and l sup
pose I say all sorts Of things. / think
it is very likely you heard me; and as
to the footsteps. perhaps our friends
next door have been restless
81 listened. but could hear no
sound.
..This explanation: did not satisfy me.
! looked at my watch. TWAS just two
o'clock.
..It is very strange. but those steps
were in this room,' / said. Il will let
the candle burn for the rest Of the
night. It will be daylight, now, in an
hour and q hall, and !, for one, shall
be glad to see II. IL believed in ghosts,
I should think this room was haunted
1lay down again, determined, It posi-
BILE, not to 90 to sheep.
The noises were not repeated. Si-
lence pervaded the house, unbroken,
except BY the deep breathing Of the old
gentleman, who, it was evident, was
now sleeping soundly. He was not
frightened, that was certain.
:. Unused on THESE things for some
time. Those strange words, the will
Of Fate, what did they mean? just
then it occurred to me that my fellow.
passenger had used such an express
sion the evening before, when I first
offered to share my room with him.
He must nave been talking in his sleep,
after all. I'm = fool to think SO much
about it,
:. I tossed and tumbled, and again.