The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-08-19
But now, 1 rose in my bed for this

purpose, l found myself subjected to
new source of annoyance. The mock
ing wind, which had appeared to me
more than once to syllable human
sounds, came at length upon nv ear
distinctly charged with tones which
could not be mistaken. It was the
hard suppressed breathing of a man.
I listened, and it ceased with a slight
gasp, and more fully upon my ear. It
was like the thick suspirations of an
apoplectic. Whence it proceeded, I
knew not. But that it was near me, I
was certain. A suspicion of robbery
possibly Observation-Disclosures upon
me, but were instantly discarded, as
foreign to the character Of the people
among whom was travelling.
The moonlight now fell on the cur
tanned bed opposite me, and I saw the
tattered drapery move, as if the frame
on which it was suspended was agitated.
I watched, confess, with some peculi-
~ feelings of interest. Twas not alarm
ed, but an unaccountable anxiety
crept over me. At length the
curtain parted, and a naked human leg
was protruded through its fold-the
foot came with numb deadlike sound
on the foor-resting there, it seemed
to me, at least half minute before the
body to which it belonged was disclos-
ed to my view. Slowly, then, pallid
and unearthly-looking figure emerged
from the couch and stood with it's stark
lineaments clearly drawn against the
dingy curtain behind it. It seemed to
be balancing itself for moment, and
then began to move along from the bed.
But there was something horribly un-
natural in its motions. Its feet came
to the floor with dull, heavy sound, as
if there was no vitalit y in them. Its
arms hung, apparently, paralyzed by
its side, and the only nerve or rigidity
in its frame appeared about it's head.
The hair, which was thin and scattered,
stood out in rigid tufts from its brow
the eyes were dilated and fixed with an
expression Of CHASTITY horror, and the
petrifed lips moved not as the hideous
moaning, which came from the bottom
of it's chest, escaped them.
1t began to move across the floor in
the direction of my bed-its knees at
every step being drawn up with sud
den jerk nearly to it's body, and its feet
coming to the ground as if they were
moved by some mechanical impulse,
and were wholly wanting in the elastic
ity Of living members. 1t approached
my bed, and mingled horror and curl
osity kept me STILL 1t came ard stood
beside 1T, and chtld-like I still chung to
my couch, moving only to the further
side. Slowly, and with the same un-
natural footballs, it pursued my pos
ition. It placed itself then at the foot |
of my bed, and moved by it's piteous |!
groans, I tried to look calmly at it
endeavored to rally my thoughts
reason with myself and even to spccu-
late upon the nature of the object be-
fore me. One idea that went through
my brain was too extravagant not to re-
member. I thought. among other
things, that the phantom was corpse.
animated for the moment by some
galvanic process, in order to terrify
me. Then, as recollected that there
was no one in the village to carry such
trick into effect-supposing even the
experiment posi- lei rejected the
supposition. How, too. could those
awful means be produced from an in
animate being? And yet, it seemed as
if everything about it were dead, except
the mere capability of moving its feet.
and uttering these unearthly express
sions of suffering. The specter, how
ever, if so it may be called, gave me
but little opportunity for reflection.
Its CHASTITY limbs were raised anew
with the same automatic movement;
and placing one of its feet upon the bot.
tom of my bed, while its glass eyes
were fixed steadfastly upon me, it be-
gan stalking toward my pillow.
confess that was now in All agony
Of terror.
Isprang from the couch and fled the
apartment. The keen-sightedness of
fear enabled me to discover an open
closet upon the other side of the hall.
Springing through the threshold,
closed the door quickly after me. It
had neither lock nor bolt, but the clos
ct was 50 narrow, that by placing my
feet upon the opposite wall, I could
brace my back against the door so as to
hold it against any human assailant,
who had only his arms for Il leve.
The perspiration of mortal fear start
ed thick upon my forehead as 1 heard
the supernatural tread of that strange
visitant approaching the spot. Itseem-
ed an age before his measured steps
brought him to the door. He struck
1.-THE blow was sullen and hollow rs
if dealt by the hands of corpse. It
was like the dull sound of his own feet
upon the floor. He struck the door
again-and the blow was more feeble,
and the sound duler than before. Sure
ly, thought the hand of no living man
can produce such Il sound.
[ know not whether it struck it again
for now its thick breathing became
so loud that even the meanings which
u4ayo .,,:%L, ox,o,xv