Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-09-18
THE SURRET DOOR.


toward the end o! summer, when IN
the course OF my wanderlngs about
the ancient city | entered the quiet
and solitary close OF the gray
cathedral. The rocks were gathering
in the oh elms which stood around.
A ruddy light wrapped the great gray
towers which rose far up into the
evening air. The sounds from with
out came family and at intervals to
the ear as walked slowly across the
close toward the low, wide steps which
assembled and were lost IN the shadow
OF the noble porch.
On reaching the great door OF the
cathedral found it closed. But III
the centre OF this there was an
other smaller door, which still stood
open--and here party ofvisitors, to
whom was stranger, were endeavor-
ingto persuade the ancient verger that
the hour was not yet too late to per-
nit them to inspect the interior. 1t
70 happened that just as | came up
they succeeded in overcoming his hest
tation, and he turned to lead the way
into the building.
The party followed him, and Iamong
them.
Inside the stiffness was profound;
the lishtest football awoke echoes. The
evening light fell, laden with the rich
and colored gloom olpainted windows,
on the dark carving OF the stalls, on
the great tubes OF the silent organ, on
the scrolls of the epltaphs, on the
marble images of warriors, priests and
kings. The silence OF the antique
nave, the colored gloom of the
painted panes, the sense OF an
tiquity in all the air, impressed
their influence upon the mind with
even more than customary power. |
had had no other motive III entering
the cathedral than to indulge the or
binary curiosity OF a stranger-very
certainly anticipated no more than
the ordinary incidents OF such a visit.
No mortal could have been less pre-
pared for an adventure. How could
| dream that n strange, a wildly
strange, experience was to befa!l me
before | should stand again without
those gray and ancient walls!
And yet, so it was.
The truth OF this extraordinary sto-
ry is known to many persons, and my
veracity may be easily verified. The
facts OF the case are these:
The party of visitors to which lhad
Joined myselfh completed, under the
guidance OF the verger, the customary
tour OF inspection round the ancient
fabric, and were now preparing to
leave the building. had fallen for a
moment behind the rest, in order to
examine fine and deeply-interesting
specimen OF antique carving which COW
cred the whole OF the wall near which
stood. The great door of the cathe-
dral, where the rest OF the party was
now standing, was not visible
from this spot; but could hear their
voices plainly round the angle of the
wall. Aware that | had not much
time to linger unless ] wished to be
locked up all night, cast n last glance
at the rich tracery OF the woodwork
and prepared reluctantly to turn
away.
Suddenl y my eye was caught by a
portion of the carving which seemed
to stand out slightly from the
rest. | put my hand upon
the carved head Of the apostle Peter
and pulled it outward. To my amaze
ment door opened in the carving,
showing beyond it dark passage /
stopped forward and looked in. As |
did so the door, which was hung slant
ingly upon its hinges in such a manner
as to close with its own weight, swung
heavily back from the position into
which had pushed it, and coming un.
expectcdly upon me rs | stopped for
ward, projected me into the opening
and shut behind me.
The suddenness of the Incl lent and
the total darkness in which | found
myself entombed startled and confus-
ed me. But at first ielt no positive
alarm. ! attempted at once to push
open the door. but 60 my surprise 1t
did not yield. Ipushed harder-harder
yet-Iexerted all my strength, but the
door remained immovable
At last, finding all my efforts use
less, endeavored TO attract the at
tention of those outside. raised nv
voice and called loudly Tor assistance,
at the same time beating a vigorous
tattoo with my stick against the door.
then paused and listened, in the ex.
pectation OF being Immediately releas-
ell. But to my surprise and alarm
the minutes passed and there was no
response.
With a. vague terror at heart | re-
newcd my endeavors. | raised clam.
or that awoke the echoes of the build
ING. But still no voice replied from
outside my prison, no hand released
the fastening OF the door. Gradually
the conviction forced Itself upon nv
mind that ] had delayed too long.
While ! had been try ing to force
open the door by my efforts the party
OF visitors had left the cathe-
dral, either without observing my ab.
sence, orperhaps supposing that | had
left before them. Tho verger had
locked up the building and departed.
There was no one within hearing to
assist me.
My CONSERVATION at this discovery
may be conceived. The idea that