The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1881-04-01

boots upon the floor, and,- rising, tried
| the closet door; but Aunt Rebecca, in
alright, chung to the latch with all her
might. To look within Lycurgus failed.
he turned away and thought it nailed.
! Then, pulling down the snowy spread,
he put his warm brick in the bed, took
off his clothes, and slipped between the
sheets of ice, so white and clean, blew
out the light, and, with sneeze, close
to his chin he brought his knees, be-
meath the clothes he drew his nose, and
tried In vain to find repose; while AUNT
Rebecca," from the wall, took down the
Sunday gown and shawl, she wrapped
them round her freezing form, and
blushed, to keep her visage warm.
The paper curtains, loosely hung upon
the windows, rushing swung, while
through each quivering, narrow frame
Of frosty panes a dim light came that
made the furnitures appear like dusky
phantoms- croucliing near Lycurgns
listened in the storm and Rugged his
brick to keep. him warm, but colder
grew the humid bed, the clothes con
gealed around his head TO feel Mt ease in
vain he tried; he tossed and turned from
side to side; each time he moved be
meath his weight the bedstead creaked
like some farm-gate. His brick grew
cold, he. could not sleep, o strange sen
sation seemed to creep upon him, while
across the floor he closely watched the
closet-doOr
Was he but dreaming? MOI his ewes
beheld, with wonder and surprise, what
man had never seen hefore-there was n
movement at the door. Itslowly turned
and to his sight came, Through the dim,
uncertain light hideous hand, that in
it's, clasp some awful object seemed
TO grasp, crouehinS form, with fright
ful head, seemed slowly coming towards
the bed. He heard the rusty hinges
creak. he could not stir. nc could
not speak, be could not turn his head
away; he shut his eyes aud tried To
pray; upon his brow of paid hue the
cold sweat stood like drops of dew: at
last he shrieked, aloud and shrill-the
door swung back and all was still.
That midnight cry from room to
room. reSounded loudly through the
gloom. The farmer and-his wife at rest.
within their warm and coy nest. awoko
and sprung, in strange attire, forth from
their bed loud shouting fret But.
finding neither smoke nor flame, soon
stIlmblinGuP the stairs they came In
cotton bedquilts quantity dressed, they
heard a deep groan from their guest, and,
full Of wonder and alright, pushed IN
the door and struck light. re. l.F
Deep down within the feather bed
Lycurgus had Withdrawn his head, and,
out of sight; lay qtlaking there, with
throbbing breast and bristling hair.
They questioned him; but he was still;
he shook rs If he had a chill, the cour-
age was completely gone from tall Ly-
curgus Littlejohn.
What human language can express,
the modest maidens dire distress, while
standing still behind the screen. a sad
spectator of the scene What pen or
pencil can portray her mute despair and.
deepsCIismay? A while she stood and
through the door she peeped across the
bedroom floor; the way was clear,
and like wise she grasped the sausage,
cold as ice, sprang nom the closet, and
from sight she glided ike n CLEAN Of
hight, away without look or word, she
flew like an affrighted bird; without
moment OF delay, the mystery cleared
Itself GiGdyf Or
Again the snow CLEANS on the ground.
again the sleigl-bells gayly sound, again
on "hliller's Hill' we hear the shouts of
children loud and clear; but in the barn
IS heard no more the Tapping fail upon
the floor. The house is down. its in
mates gone, and tall Lycurgus Little
John Is now an old man. worn with care
with STOPPING form and silver hair. He
married dark-eyed Susan Stow, and they
were happy, years ago. .-
When, in the merry winter-time. their
children's children round him climb. he
tells them of his fearful fright on that
far distant winter night; and, after they
are put to bed, when by the fire with
nodding head he sits and sinks to SUM
bers deep, and quakes and shivers in his
sleep, alas! he is but dreaming still of
that spare bed ON s'NIiller's Hill. -
Eugene d. Hal, IN Chicago Tribune.