Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-28
Gales aud Sketthfs.
THE MYSTERIOUS ADVERTISEMENT.

from tour winch L naQ been MAKING III
Normandy, and arrived by late train at
Dieppe. intending to cross over TO Eng
land next morning, weather permitting.
The clock struck one before got to bed,
and, being tired with my journey, soon
fell asleep. Between two and three in the
morning I was disturbed. The night was
pitch dark. but there was faint light re-
fected into my room from lamp IN the
COURTYARD of the hotel, and the outline of
nv window was printed on the ceiling of
the room like huge, distorted skylight.
It was blowing hard outside, but | only
heard the distant murmur of the wind my
side Of the house being well sheltered.
Yet fancied that must have been dis
turbed in my sleep by its roaring.
Before had time for much reflection,
my attention was attracted by strange
moaning sound which seemed to be close
TO me- then sharp cry rent the air, fol-
/ lowed by loud EXPLANATIONS Of pain or
terror. and then a series of most distress
ing sobs and groans fell upon my ear
The sounds were so near me that they
seemed to be in my room. and, indeed.
close TO the head Of my bed. could even
fancy that | felt the air vibrate, and
4
feel if any living object were near me
from which any such terrible sounds
could emanate. After short time the
groans and EXPLANATIONS ceased,or nearly
so. and then called out, first in French
and afterwards in English who is there?
what is the matter ~ But could OBJ
tain no answer, and presently the alarm
ing sounds began again. and were louder
and more narrowing than before.
had some matches in the room, but
thew were not within reach as | lav-or
rather rather sat up-in my bed, and |
did not like the idea OF leaving it; but |
presently mustered courage, and stepped
on tiptoe towards the table. feeling anx-
iousIy before me till | reached it. |
found my matches, struck at least half n
dozen. which would Just flash up and 90
out. and growing more and more nervous
every moment, at length succeeded in
procuring a light. As the match burned
up, Illuminating the whole chamber. it en-
abled me to see distinctly that there was
nothing unusual to be seen--nothing at
all events that could account in any way
for the mysterious and painful sounds
which had alarmed me.
lighted my candle, and, after care
ful survey of the apartment, observed that
in the wall by my bedside was door
communicating with anather room.
came 10 the conclusion that there must be
a bed on the other side Of this door. touch
ing il, perhaps, as mine did. and it was
occupied by someone who was in great
pain. arising. 1t might be, from sudden
attack of Illness. The groans, and cries
{, Ill. ~
while | was considering, left me no al
tentative but to try and afford relief; so
ut once raped at the door and asked if
any one were i'll. Knock as | would.
however conld get no reply. So
partly dressed myself, and went forth in
search of night porter. or someone who
might be waking in the hotel. to whom |
might communicate my anxiety.
On the staircase met a tall thin figure.
clad in white. in point of fact, a cook.
candle in hand. and yawning fearfuly,
mounting slowly towards his bedroom. |
had some difficulty in making him under
stand what | wanted He was so very
sleepy. At length he seemed to appre-
bend "A little of my meaning. and with a
gesture and a "Tenez. m'seur." turned
away suddenly and lett me. After
about ten minutes he returned.
bringing with him another sleepy
person, probably waiter who had Just
risen from his bed. to whom | repeated
my story. He also said, "Tenez. m 'sieur,"
ard retired. In course of time he re-
turned with a third. who said and did
likewise. Finally. about dozen of the
Strangest. most fantastic, weird looking
objects you could imagine "tound them
selves" grouped around me in the CORR
/ doris, listening to my account of what had
/ happened in or near my bedroom. The
/ proprietor of the hotel. stout as feather
bed, wrapped in a lowered dressing gown
! the walters in their drawers and slippers.
IA housemaid or two, cook or two. in
fact, nearly the entire establishment. in
every possible variety of undress, were
/ present. and expressed. by all sorts of
. strange CALCULATIONS and remarks. their
opinion of my story. At length led the
way to the bed-chamher where pictured
to myself the object of my soliCtude living
upon his bed. or perhaps upon the floor.
/ dying. if not already dead. The door
was locked. but the landlord. by
some process known to himself.
opened it quite easily. There was door
( ~ 1 lldl ct'Ulttluttu, near tnp uOoT tllat
communicated with nv room. and on the
pillow | could see from the distance
gray head and pale face lying perfect
+ " still and quiet. The whole party en-
/ tered the room in single file. forming
procession which reached from the door
to the bedside, while |. beginning to feel
uneasy on my own account at having
raised and introduced into another mans
room such spectral array as this, kept in
the back ground, or TO be plain with you,
in the corridor. recommending over the
shoulders of the rest. The old gentle
man. for such he evidently was. though
was not near enough to see his features.
remained for some time unconscious of
the intrusion. till the landlord. finding
that he could not rouse him with his voice
laid his hand upon him and shook him.
He then spoke up with a start and sob.
and appeared for minute or two to be
in great terror; he spoke English. and be-
gan to protest that he could explain every
thing, and that he was the victim of cir
CumstanceS. with other such expressions
and il was long time before the land
land could satisfy him (for he was rather
deaf that no other motive had brought
him to his room but fear that he was III.
NO" said the old gentleman. appar-
emily much relieved; mo: am not i'll ;
have slept soundly; there is nothing the