Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-09-13
For the oxford Democrat.
THE HAUNTED CHAMBER.


surrounded by extensive. beauteous lands
F;nriohed by every art that wealth can bring
ry,,on the brow or Newton Hill there stands
A castleaonss erected by a king
with lofty tower reaching far on high'
Above It's Western portal strongly built
ASH x.sPrRing hard to pierce the sky
Or sturdy guard. prepared with Zoe 10 TIT
Its fb,airy pair o. pctst run round and round,
And add new beauty 10 the noble pile,
And with light tnrrets springing from tn
ground,
Appears TO chow It's owner has Z" struck lie.
A homclikc cottages on It's eastern bound.
A land OF liliesII on Its northern iine'
And southwark. pleasant woods'' as can ID
fonnd,
With wilder bushestf on its west conhne'
The stranger wandering thro its roomyhalls.
Fer finds new beauties at each step ans
turn
Hare paintings on Its finely tinted walls
And draperies rich. anil delicate rs fem.
Odd marvels meet the eye on every side.
Inventions sprung from genius fertile mind
And each incites you Others yet TO find
The winding stairs. with seeming endless
round.
Conduct you to the towers dizzy height,
Where gazing To the ever distant ground
on ILLS the timid traveller with fright.
But lin the eyes, and surely such view
ofhill and dale. OF mountain side and stream
Can never fail with rapture TO Undue
The heart. ike some enhancing, happy
dream.
II clear the day, Monadnock's rugged top.
In far New Hampshire, shows its outline blue
while nearer. Mt. wachusetts form will stop
The vision, with Its dimly distant hue.
Green prospect" waltham's hill. the fore
gound fills.
Inviting easy access to its shade,
While winding "Charics," onfowing tn Tho
mills,
shows here and there. thro mcadowland and
glade.
A prince and princess play upon the green,
As lovely pair as parents ever saw,
Close guarded by their loving mother, queen.
Or else queen dowager. the mother in-law-
Such. then. the picture ever present here.
Such. too. the marvels and the Joys within.
such. too. the onIs arb beauties ever near,
Ia a.ii to comfort, and contentmcnt win.
But yet, DER all this happy scene there rests
A shadow dark to nj the mind with gloom.
And cast despondcpcy upon all the guests
That shadow - a spectre haunted room,
itani by the entrance To the tower stairs,
No door but one Ia enter through its wall.
With scaniy furniture, some antique chairs,
A diyan, bookcasc,-thcsc are all.
With batod BREATH. he steps beyond the sill,
whoc'er IL forced TO cross tia dusty floor.
Nor breathes at ease with freedom full. until
lie leaves bes!IG again the fastened door
strange forms, Ills said, to frightened ones APP
pear,
And chill the blood. swift.coursing thro' the r
veins.
Tho now and then. as tho 10 calm their fear.
pleasant .hado before their sight remains :.
~ times, q cavalier OF Cromwelrs time,
with body gone. but head OF ample size.
Appears to float before ones wondering eyes.
Again. q pretty boy with curly hair,
In modern garments quite correctly dressed
GIides ny. and leaves US gazing into air.
with mind hear; less fcarfuiiy depressed.
But borrorsl now the curlllng blood congeals ?
A woman's head, with thin, cadavcrous face,
With 'kcrcbief red. which scarce her neck con
ccals,
Appeays . momcnt. then dissolvss In space.
Companion to this horrifying sight,
A frightful. boyish face. with neck awry,
As tho tho victim OF some hangman's might.
With anguished pace, In silence passes by.
Anon. with wavy hat, girlish head.
Coquetting In her look, and fair ia Gee
And stiIl another and another spirit dread.
swim follows on among this ghostly com.
pany.
Such. then. with many more OF equal kind.
The stout OF heart may see. who dares TO
stay.
And can control the terrors OF his mind
Before the open door at close OF DAY.
L,ESvoI.
lis said. q maiden iair. in years gone by.
Was won't TO occupy this room ut times.
And paint her fancies, with artistic eye
And thus gave reason for these fancy rhymes
'very long-six years.
'Gray squirrels
In their Wheel
SMrs. Purdie's.
mfr Lilly.
s.Mr. Wood.
''Mr. wilder Bush.
..fearing o stumble In the dark.