The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-03-31

boots upon the floor, and, rising, tried
the closet door; but Aunt Rebecca, in
alright, clung to the latch with all her
might To look within Lycurgus failed.
he turned away and thought it nailedi
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, rustling swung, while
through each quivering, narrow frame
of frosty panes q dim light came that
made the furniture appear like dusky
phantoms crouching near. Lycurgus
listened in the storm and hugged his
brick to keep him warm, but colder
grew the humid bed, the clothes con-
gealed around his head: to feel at 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, q strange SEN
sation seemed to creep upon him, while
across the floor he closely watched the
closet-door.
Was he but dreaming? No! his eyes
beheld, with wonder and surprise, what
man had never seen before-there was a
movement at the door, 1t slowly turned
ov,1 10 inhf fhrnr n ho
uncertain light hideous hand, that in
its clasp some awful object seemed
to grasp, a crouching form, with fright
full head, seemed slowly coming towards
the bed. He heard the rusty hinges
creak, he could not stir, he could
not speak, he could not turn his head
away; he shut his eyes and tried to
pray; upon his brow of paid hue the
cold sweat stood like drops of dew; at
last he shrieked, aloud and shrilI-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 cozy nest, awoke
and sprung, in strange attire, forth from
their bed loud shouting -''firel' But.
| finding neither smoke nor flame, soon
stumbling up 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.
Deep down within the feather bed
I.ycurgus had Withdrawn his head, and,
out of sight, lay quaking there, with
throbbing breast and bristling hair.
They questioned him, but he was still;
he shook as if he had chill, the cour-
age was completely gone from tall Ly-
curgus Littleiohn.
What human language can express,
the modest maiden's dire distress, while
standing still behind the screen, a sad
spectator of the scene? What pen or
pencil can portray her mute despair and
deep dlsmay? 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 from the closet, and
from sight she glided like gleam oi
light, away without look or word, she
flew like an affrighted bird; without a
moment of delay, the mystery cleared
itself aUay!
Again the SNOW CLEANS on the ground
again the sleigh-bells gayly sound, agair
ON "Miller's Hill" we hear the shouts O
children loud and clear; but in the barr
is heard no more the tapping fail upo1
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. HI
/ married dark-eyed Susan Stow, and the,
, were happy, years ago.
} When, in the merry winter-time, thei
children's children round him climb, h
tells them of his fearful fright, ON tina
far distant winter night; and, after the.
, are put to bed, when by the fire witt
] nodding head he sits and sinks to sium
D bers deep, and quakes and shivers in hi
sleep, alasl he is but dreaming still c
D that spare bed on ''Miller's HILL
. Eugene j. Hall, in Chicago Tribune.