Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-01
Gales aud Sketehes.
A MYSTERIOUS GUEST.
THE STRANGE MISSION OF MIDNIGHT
VISITOR.

Rev. DR.. D. of Baltimore was, in
his day, one of the most distinguished
clergvmen of the Episcopal church at the
South. His learning was vast. his piety
exemplary, and his whole life beautiful
example of the career of a practical Chris.
tian. Although close student, devoted
to his library, he took great pleasure in
intelligent companionship, was welcome
guest in the '.best social circles" of the
city, and had a fund of humor which
served as popular specific for the dold-
runs among those who enjoyed the privil-
eye of his friendship
He was of good old Huguenot stock land
felt pride in the fact. 1t was not pride.
however. that engendered an aristocratic
sentiment The doctor was democrat in
the broad and patriotic sense. Born
shortly after the close of the revolution
tionary war, his memory was stored with
incidents related by actors in that stu
pendous struggle. He liked to talk with
them, and as he was capital reconteur,
none could listen to him without being in
struc,ed or entertained. With Jefferson
he was personally acquainted, and never
wearied repeating the praises of that ex-
traordinary man. 1t was my good for
tune to enjoy his counsels during the last
two years OF his life and my sad privilege
to be wi him when he died, a silver
haired patriarch, lat the age of "a.
had early noticed in his conversation
that he took a deep interest in demonolo
gy, supernatural visitations and those
mysterious phenomena and strange hap
penings that constitute the capital of
ghost stories. His knowledge showed
familiarity with almost every source OF
information bearing upon the subject. 1t
even descended to such esOteric details as
the changes which the meaning of de
mon" had undergone from Homer down
to Christ, and the different conceptions of
it held by the Neo- Platonists, Zoroaster,
the Parsees and the Jews. To me all this
sort of learning was an unexplOred mine,
and followed him as eagerly as any
young person would to whom door lead
ing into wonderland had been suddenly
opened. His memory was retentive, and
his talks were cOpiously illustrated by 10.
stances Of which he had heard or read.
That he placed any faith in the doctrine
that departed spirits revisit the earth or
hold communion with mortals | had no
idea. He rather gave tire impression that
he thought such belief was the product
of intellectual weakness or superstition.
His disposition TO see the humorous side
of things and the total absence of ndica-
tons of any morbid tendencies in him
prevented the suspicion that he could be
believer in the supernatural. A clearer
mind than his, a more cheerful spirit and
one less inclined to submit to gloomy in
fuences could not be found. Often, as
he dscoursed of these things,
ludicrous fancy would strike him and
provoke his laughter. But for all that
I was puzzled to know bv what peculiar
fascination he was led to pursue such
studies. and | determined to frankly
ask him the question. He first smiled a
nv curiosity, but finally agreed that if
would come to his library on the afternoon
of certain day, he would take me into
his confidence and tell me something
which would astonish me. At the time
and place appointed, was of course,
promptly on hand. and received from his
lips q statement which was substantially
as follows:
Shortly after had taken orders and
upon the active duties of my min
istry, there was a great revival of religious
interest in my parish. | was glad to
escape the confinement of my closet and
go forth into the vineyard of the Master
1t seemed to me that the revival had been
ordered to test my devotion
and capacity. | felt new conservation
to the work of saving souls. The arder
ing pleasure found in the excitement of
do
and | was out all hours of the day and
night, Notwithstanding that my health at
that time was poor, and scarcely
possessed the physical strength necessary
tor such unremitted exertions. The con-
sequence was that | contracted severe
cold. accompanied by fever, which pros
rated me and kept me on sick bed nearly
.wo months.
After had sufficiently recovered to be
able to get up and 90 about my room my
was rapid, but under the
Doctors advice did not venture out doors
My books were my sole companions, and
these and the physicians visits afforded
the only relief from the WEAKNESS of the
passing hours. 1t was my habit to retire
early and rise about in the morning.
One night volume of Ranckels History
of the Popes' tempted me into violation
of this rule. 1t was after II O'Clock when
| laid the book aside and prepared to go
to bed had a small students lamp
which usually turned down low and kept
burning all night. 1t stood on table
placed against the wall opposite my couch
and was shaded by any object which came
handiest to me and would serve the pur-
pose. The apartment was scantially fur
nished, containing washstand, book
case, bureau decorated with a mirror,
two chairs and rocker. retired. feel
ing in the best of spirits, and soothed by
the assurance that after q week at the
furthest should be permitted to take a
stroll in the park. Since the abatement
of the fever sleep came readily to my
eyelds. and | do not suppose fifteen
minutes could have elapsed from the time
of putting my head upon the pillow be-
fore was wrapped in profound slumber.
1t is impossible for me to clearly re-
member the first intelligent impressions |
had on awakening. The vision of the in
terval is so blurred. and what | beheld
was so jumbled up with phantasmagoria
of my dreams that any effort to determine
precisely where the latter ended and the
former began would have been frutless.
That there was somebody in my room be-
sides myself | had ocular proof. NV
ewes convinced me that it was not the
doctor, nor my housekeeper, nor any one
With rbosa fooa opA oppaarapoa I vr.c