Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-04-02
AFEARFUH. CATAsTROPHE.

YOU about this event. Well, | seldom
speak OF it, though it occurred long ago,
yet never think of it without a shnd
der. Sitting in my study tonight
amidst lis quiet aud solitude my mind
has been living in the past and that
scene in panoramic view urrOlls before
me in fearful yiyidness and seem TO be
living in another world as | then was
| see the sylvan grove, feel the sultry,
oppressive atmosphere of that charmed
spot; hear the piercing cry of agony
of my friend. There is the terrible,
hideous monster cursed of God and
hated with the eternal hatred of man.
These things ever haunt me, and most
when | seek the quletnde OF my own
chamber-haunt me like the dark unre
pented deed of the criminal. i am not
criminal though. | did all could to
avert the sad catastrophe, and ii was
only by the timely interposilion OF an.
other that escaped the same terrible
fate that seemed inevitable. Ii is said
that the criminal TO get rid OF the men
tai agony caused by his crime will even
after long years of suffering, mako cou-
fession though he fotteIt lie 10y SO do
ing. | have heard OF persons who. have
been troubled with an intense desire TO
utter profane language or sing an i'm
proper song who. on retiring 10 some
lone spot, have audibly repeated the
same and thus obtained relief. These
are mental phenomena which cannot be
explained. Doubtless We are often in
tluenccd and controlled by spiritual
forces unseen by the external senses.
Well, with some such hope | am led to
relate while they are so wildly por-
trayed before me the circumstances cor
nected with this event.
1t was the lovcliest season Of the year
that my friend and | concluded 10 take
our long promised visit. After long
Journey through the finest country the
sun ever shone upon we found ourselves
at the homestead Of The descendants OF
an ancient family. IL was one of those
old baronial estates--a perfect sylvan
retreat tar from the crowded marts OF
trade surrounded by magnificent groves
and famed by soft zepbyrs performed
with the fragrance Of tropical fruits and
shrubs-a very paradise OF quietude and
loveliness. There we hoped to spend
the season in pleasant recreation, and as
invalids be benefited by the restorative
virtues of quiet country home. Little
did we think that this bright beginning
would be followed by such sad ending,
that amidst all this beauty and lowell.
ness such q scene of terror wonld pre-
sent itself. But alas every sweet has
its bitter, and disappointment turks in
every prize" One bright day on one
of our excursions We found ourselves in
a dense forest forming succession OF
magnificent groves. The solitude was
profound! No sound was heard save
now and then wild birds song A
sense of lovcliDess came over us as on
and on we wended our way. The lar
ther we penetrated the more enchant-
ing the scene until We reached a spot
that beggared all description. In imag-
ination We were in "Idalia's groves Ce-
lcs,ial Venus haunts" 1t was perfectly
enchanting. The clustering wires in
rich drapery hung around, soft and
balmy zephyrs famed cur brows and
the air was fragrant with sweet odors.
On the green bank of a purliDg stream
we sst and talked aud listened long,
nor till the charm was broken could we
move. We seemed to be fascinated By
some unseen presence. The very at
mosphere became oppressive. All at
a feeling of fear possessed US, foreoo-
ding OF danger. A glance at my friend
alarmed me.
A deadly pallor had come over him.
He was sperchless and stood the very
persoui6cstion Of terror. Just then /
heard a slight, soft sound, and looking
round saw an undulating motion in the
grass, another look and bebeld- -hor-
ror Of horrors what my friend had
seen before me-a terrible monster, a
huge boa-constrictor just readyto strike
with bis poisonous fsDgs. In the twink
ling of an eye he had his victim in his
shiny embrace, and as his crushing,
deadly folds tightebed around him bis
cry of anguish pierced my heart. But
was powerless to help HIM, for the
yenemous monster had me under his
charmed Influence. Unconscious ] must
have been, yet everything seemed as
living reality, / tried 10 get away from
the hideous sight, but l was psralyxed.
l made an Effort to call for help bat
could not give uttersnce to siDgIe
word. Yet there | was forced 10 Wit
ness that fearful sceue---to behold my
friend mangled aud crushed within the
coils of that huge serpeot-to listen 10
his piteous wall for help and yet unable !
to render any assistance. l was spell
bound and stood chained to the spot IA
10 trance. 10 moment as il were
ny whole lite IN panoramic view passed