Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-10-11
Two AdS -nfures.

4
was great fayorite of his, and conse-
quently began to look on his house as a
sort of second home.
One day. regret to say the old gentle
man whilst going his rounds caught Sc
we're cold. which confined him to bed, but
fron, which he anticipated nothing serious
Unfortunately, however, TO our great
sorrow, his Illness proved more serious
lhsn at first expected, and IN few days
the poor old gentleman was no more.
l went from bone with my parents, a
distance Of thirty two miles, TO attend the
| funeral.
The distance in those days beng too
great to admit of our returning the same
day, We were compelled to stay the night
after the funeral at the house.
As the space In the house was rather
limited, | was asked if | would be afraid
to sleep In the bed in which my grand
father died; an idea which 1 Indignantly
repudIaied.
Ii was forthwith arranged that shoulf
pass the night in that room.
In justice TO those who suggested the
idea of my being afraid, ought TO say
that that part of Suffolk was intensely
superstltIous. and that, considering | was
only boy of fourteen, my consenting TO
sleep IN the room was, under the circum-
stances, somewhat courageous.
L retired TO rest at the usual time, no
doubt with my thoughts full of stories |
had heard or read about ghosts and ghostly
vistants.
turned my attention t. the bed on
which | was To spend the ensuing hours,
as fondly hoped, in sweet oblivion.
1t was huge old-fashiored four-poster,
with heavy curtains hung on rings, which
ratified with every movement of the bed,
and was, at the time of which / am writ
ing. a highly ar!stocratic bedstead; but
considering all the attendant circlm-
stances, Its funereal appearance was not
calculated to inspire my youthful breast
with any but the most dismal sensations,
| undressed and got INTO bed, devoutly
hoping that my slumbers might not be
disturbed by the appearance Of any spir-
ituai visitor.
The curtains near the head of the bed
stead being partially drawn, by turning
my head in either direction, my gaze
rested on them.
At that time, there was nothing equiv
alent to our modern nIght-lights, and save
ior the reflection of the fire in the crate,
my room was in darkness.
These curtains seemed, to my already
half terrified fanclef, to be hiding places
for any number of ghosts, all ready To
confront me, the moment l should De rash
enough TO throw off my earthly cares and
commit myself 10 the arms OF Morpheus.
However, at last fell as,eep-
Ny repose vas of a troubled nature.
| fancied heard strange noises IN the
room, but at any rate l awoke after being
ssleep a short ;ime-I suppose about two
or three O'Clock in the rornIng, fancying
| heard the curtain rin.s rafting.
Imagine, then, my horror and fright
when | saw, by the FAINT glimmer Of the
now expiring fire, that the curtain on one
side of the bed was being forclbly jerked
aside by some unseen hand.
i trembIe1 from head to foot, and cow
cred beneath the blankets, expecting L
hardly knew what.
Again ami again did this unseen hand
jerk the curtain.
Ii could not have been a trick OF the
Imagination.
l was unable TO cry out even If | had
been inclined to do 40.
At last, after having given about half-a-
dozen angry jerks, Intellectually as regards
pulling the curtain aside, was left to en-
10y such rest as could reasonably expect
to get before morning.
Never was daylight more eagerly vel
coined by anybody than it was by me that
morning.
With The earliest dawn l sprang out OF
bed-feelIng braver than ] had done few
hours beforehand proceeded first to dress,
and then TO examine my room, IN order to
ASCERTAIN il possible BY what means my
ghostly visitor had made his entrance ami
exit.
The door, beng hidden from my view
when In bed by the curtain, presented it.
self as the most probable means.
l examined it as well as my agiiated
state of mind would permit.
Nothing, however, appeared to show
any signs of my visitors entrance.
Ii was securely locked, as left it the
night before; aud there was no sliding
panel or anything of the sort which
could nave admitted anybody. -.
| then turned towards the window;
but mat too was fastened; and l confess
1 gave the affair up as incomprehensIble.
| went downstairs more thoroughly i'm
pressed with regard to eerie vis:tants
tnan remember ever to have been before.
Ny preoccupied air-for l was debat
ing whether or not TO mention my sdven-
ture-attracted attention, and drew forth
MANY qlestlons, TO all of which | replied
with very guarded answers.
At last l told tie whole story, aiding
that / had never believed In ghosts be-
fore, aud should like to find out the
truth of this one.
My story seemed to them incredible.
But at last, in spite of the solemn
proceedings we had witnessed the day
before. smile stole over the face of my
grandmother.
1t was quickly suppressed, and she said;
IL thiuk l can explain the mystery,
young gentleman; let us come and try
We all fclowed the old lady upstairs
into the room where had passed the
night.
She went to the side of the bed and
pointed TO the curtain rings.
We then saw the explanation OF the
| whole matter, which was as follows:
My grandfather 'wss, as l have SAID,
| very celebrated in his day, and conse-
quently had large practice.
HIS night bell, In order not to disturb
the other inmates of the house, was hung
II his room by his side
When the old gentleman was taken III,
absolute silence was enjoined.
This bell, therefore, was taken down,
and the wire fastened to the curtain rings.
On the night IN question, some youne
men, strangers in the place, and conse'
quently ignorant of my grandiather's Ill
ness asd death, were going home rathel
Mostly a. the somewhat early hour a
which my adventure took place.
Being bent en- mischief, they commenced
pulling the night-bell handle, in order, a
they no doubt observed, to rouse the ole
gentleman.
Every pull, therefore, gave correspond
!, ing tug at the curtains; hence my terri
~, thot aorna unparfhli