The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1881-03-25

ancestors. and which may or may NOT
be true. but they have been heard OnIy
since my sons icafh--noi. il u true.
every night. but 50 often that the
chances are you will not sleep unlis-
turbed."
] DO not NJ this distance Of time mind
coniessing that felt less brave nj this
hour than had done in broad daylight:
but not for anything would have
owned this 70 NJ Dumas. who. finding
! was resolved. lighted my candle and
accompanied me 10 the room 20 see that
everything had been provided for my
comfort. As soon as he was gone cx-
amined the apartment INFINITELY. IL
was 81 large size. with an old-fash0ned
French bedstead and curtains. chest
Of drawers. and numerous chairs. There
was large folding screen At one end.
and thither ! carried my candle that I
might look il any second door were be-
hind il but no. i could see nothing but
the wall. which was papered with
dark green and yellow flock paper.
making the room look somewhat gloomy
in the light Of two candles.
1 was tired with my journey and not
sorry 70 get into the very comfortable
bed. had had a monetary parlcy
with myself IS TO whether would keep
the candles burning all night. but felt
rather ashamed of letting il be seen
thGt had done 80; yet defy any one
not to feel arther glad TO draw the bed
clothes snugIy over him when he first
finds himself III the dark in room re-
puted to be haunted.
! did not get 70 sleep Immediately
could not Keep my thoughts from GO
ing back again and again 70 my school
days. and to many . well-rcmcmbered
incident connected with my old friend:
but 1t length lost consciousness, for
how long do not know. but / was
suddenly aroused by : noise IN the
room. and was aware Of the presence
Of some other than myself. ! sat up in
bed and listened. ID was no dream. no
fancy, that there were footsteps; they
were in the direction Of the great
screen. and fancied the sounds came
from behind il. To say that my heart
beat quite - calmly IS usual would not
be true; on the contrary. il went very
fast. indeed. especially when minute
later I distinctly heard something
breathe. and the steps approach nearer
the bed. Another moment, and felt
the bcd-curtain being not only touched.
but. rs il seemed to me. actually
shaken. for the rings 1t the top ratified
on their rod.
NY situation At that moment was not
an enviable one altogether, but sum
moned up my courage and called out,
'.Who are you?"
No reply. but thought I heard the
sound Of footsteps as il retreating from
the bedside: the next moment felt
something or somebody spring upon
the bottom Of the bed. out Of which
IS quickly darted. not being II All de-
sirous Of sharing il with my unknown
visitor.
struck . light. the candle burnt
dimly for moment, only allowing me
70 see that something black lay on the
counterpart, quite motionlcss; but on
approaching il the mystery was unrav-
eled- My nocturnal guest was no other
than poor Fanchette. who was crouch
ing down on the bed and looking a.
me with timid. suppliant air. IS II 20
say
II know perfectly well ought not
to be here, but do not be angry with
me-
How had she got in? had o care
fully searched the room in every corner
that felt certain she was not there
when 4 first came TO bed. Surely she
must be the ghost that had 50 upset the
nerves Of the whole family. Yet n.
Dumas had said she slept in the stable
by the side Of her friend the horse.
How could she get through closed doors
and windows?
However this might be, ii was Ger
tainly relief 70 find had 50 harmless
companion. Fanchette licked my
hands and settled herself still more res
olutely on the bed. from which had no
wish to dislodge her. Again ! put out
the candle, and again 1 got into bed
and soon fell asleep. nor did wake till
early morning. when was aroused BY
Fanchctte jumping down on the floor
and upsetting little low stool. with =
candle on Il. which had placed by the
bedside. She made her way across the
room 10 the screen. behind which she
disappeared, and my curiosity made me
follow her. To my surprise she made
= sudden dart AZ the wall. which to my
still sleepy eyes appeared 70 open and
allow her % pass through. and then 70
close again. "A minutcr inspection
showed me that there was door there.
covered with paper like the rest Of the
room. which worked on spring, and
though Il opened easily with : sudden
push. instantly closed again. and fitted
50 perfectly into the wall that lis exist
ence could scarcely be detected. II led
70 flight Of stone steps that later
exploration made known 70 me led into
the courtyard Of the house.
When descended 10 the breakfast
saloon observed By the counfenanccs
Of the family that il was relief to them
70 see me appear alive and well
Have YOU been disturbed?' inquir-
ed M. Dumas, anxiously.
4 have had an adventure was my
reply; nay. more than that, / have had
~.