The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-06-07
No Rest.

Some eleven years back, became o
boarder in private family in Camden
Town, comprising q widow and her
daughter. Although poor, they still
managed to keep their heads above the
tide of poverty by taking boarders. The
husband of the widow had been dead
some ten years. Singularly, she seldom
mentioned him. have since been in
formed that, being a hard drinker, he
died in a fit of delirium tremens, leaving
his affairs in an extremely unsettled con-
dition-in fact, so confused that scarcely
anything could be made Of them. Con-
seouently, many false claims were ad-
vanced that could not be disputed. The
only thing remaining to the mother after
the calls Of the harpies had been settled.
was the small house in which she lived.
I had not been long a ledger before d
claimant came even for that.
I thought whom | saw the fellow that
he vas q great rascal; but on examining
the papers he produced, found them
perfect in detail, and consequently
feared that nothing could prevent him
from possessing himself of the property.
I ought here to observe that am of the
legal profession.
Twas q cold, bleak December night as
we sat couversirg about the case, and
must confess that an extreme chilliness
overcame mo rs l retired for the night
NV room had formerly been the widows,
but had now been turned over to myself
and companion Ia law student), who
was absent. The wind whistled down
the street, causing the easements and
shutters to rattle with an unpleasant
familiarity. l had hardly undressed
when frigid blast swept down the chin
neg, extinguishing my light. and was
Obliged to take to the cold sheets in the
dark. 1t was some time before fell
asleep, and how long l remained so l
cannot tell; but when l awoke it was
with clsmmy SILVER, which seemed to
pervade me like the atmosphere Of o
tomb.
noticed that the candle, which had
gone ont 30 suddenly. was again burning
on the table, and in front Of it sat man.
I supposed my companion, the law
student, had returned, and rose in bed
to address him, when he turned toward
me. had never beheld him before! At
first was surprised, aud then q strange
feeling of timidity came over me, whica
was unaccountable. The stranger was
tall, with dark whiskers, and CARRIED in
black. His face was cadaveronsly pale,
and his eyes had . dead glare that was
hideously unpleasant.
For fifteen minutes he sat without
moving and gszed at him without
power OF motion. Then he slowly arose
and passed his right hand across his
brow with motion Of impotence, and
walked up aud down the room several
times, as il agitated by some emotion.
Then, proceeding to the mantel piece.
he removed clock standing 10 the oen.
ter. passed his hand over the wall paper,
and saw the wall open, disclosing a
small recess in which wers number Of
papers. Taking them thence, he went
TO the table, and seating himself with
his side toward me. perused them at
tcntively, as il endeavoring to find some
particuiar one. / could not remove my
ewes from him was like one in .
waking dream. All nigh. ! remained
thus, watching him; but at carly dawn
the man faded gradually away.
After q time ] arose. washed myself.
and examined the mautel piece. The
clock WA ticking away in its usual place.
and was unable to discover anything
unu.usl. I descended to breakfast. but
said nothing. fearing TO DO laughed as
by the other boarders.
That night myself end my companion
fvbo had rsturnedl retired - usual
and thinking Oi my strange visieaos OF