Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1888-12-14

|
county and were devoted to herself an,
the Major and that they could not ge
on without their intelligent and faithful
services. In reply to my inquiry rela.
tive to his injury, she told me it pro-
ceeded from II fall he had at sea when
a sailor before the mast several years
ago, and that it had disabled him from
any further sea service. Henry had be-
come devotedly attached to Major w
for his bright, genial and a,niable dispo-
sition and character, and upon learning
that the latter had expressed his inten-
ton to dance at the ball during the Fair
he declared his resolution to 90 down
and see him, thinking, | suppose. that
the Major would dance at great dis
advantage with the jolly amount of flesh
he carried, and which interfered in some
measure With his activity. The even
ing Of the ball duly arrived ana at "a
convenient opportunity after the couple
ton of his many Jobs Henry went down
to realize his promised enjoyment Of
seeing the Major dance the dancers.
The evening was not very promising
and there was some Indication of rain
and on that account the ladies and my
self remained at home, though il had
been our intention to have been present
at the ball for the enjoyment of seeing
the gay young beaus and bells and for
the additional motive which had been
the source Of poor Henry's enthusiasm.
n n n ma NJ h..
ing very pleasant evening thinking
somewhat Of the ball and occasionally
catching strain Of melody from the
band at the Fair Grounds. Suddenly
we were aroused by a rather violent
knocking at the front door, made by
messenger from the Major, who an
nounced that Henry Hudson had drop
ped dead by the side of tho dancing
pavilion, and directed that preparation
should be made for the body which was
probably then on the way to the house.
These events were a source of consider
able excitement TO us for while, but
the activity of my cousin soon completed
all arrangements and the remains re-
posed in detached room on settee
during the night with the faithful but
almost dazcd wife sitting by the side of
the deceased keeping her sad vigil until
morning Ofcourse it was scarcely posi-
BILE to escape some impression of n NOR
bid tinge in case of this nature, which is
apt to assert itself as the sunlight de-
clines and the curtain Of night is drawn
towards the horizon, so that as the hour
for retiring approached on the following
night [ was not wholly unprepared for
vivid thoughts relative to poor Henry's
sudden call After supper we sat around
the fire, but quiet mood seemed TO
pervade our feelings and the ladies were
induced to retire 10 their rooms. Our
hostess was lifting about in her endless
succession Of duties aud | was left alone
in the paror. not feeling disposed to re-
tire, willing away the time with some
very interesting magazines. | was thus
engaged when my cousin came in with
the lantern in her hand to say good
night | responded by wishing her
pleasant dreams, and then requested her
to leave the lantern with me, rs some
how | preferred to have it with mo, and
| intended using it instead of lighting
myself up stairs with the parlor lamp.
When tho door vas closed lowered the
light In the lantern and drow the rocker
up to tho fro and began to read. Tho
weather had become more decidedly bad,
and a,rain drop or twig would now and
then strike the window pune, whilst the
rising east wind moanod through the
casemate somewhat gloomily. | had
been engaged in this manner for quite
protracted period. perhaps several hours.
when my attention was attracted by
knock at the front door With min.
gled sanction of uncertainty and wonder
| took the lantern up and approached
tho door to open it and ascertain the
business Of our late caller | drew open
the door and raised the lantern, aud ns
its rays Of light fell upon the face of
Henry Hudson felt my blood creep
with horror and giddiness seize my
brain. The lantern slipped from my
hand and my senses forsook me.
/ received a terrible shock, for though
I have not the slightest faith in the idea
or belief that the spirit of the dead may
hold communion with the living, could
not doubt the evidence Of my own faculties
and hence the effect upon my over
strained nerves. But in reality | had
seen oeither Henry Hudson nor his
ghost, but merely the living onbodi-
ment OF his twin brother who had come
thus unseasonably in response to tcle-
gram announcing his brothers unfortu-
maize aud uutin,eIy death. The matter
was all cleared up for mo before break
fast and was enabled to join the family
ut that meal, but without much appetite.
BY dinner time, however, was all right.
| left my friends the next morning with
a most agreeable impression Of my visit,
barring, of course, the ghost scene, and
as memory will call up the past have
thought it better to formulate the cpl
sode in little sketch for future refer
ence. w.