Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1889-12-06
MisCellaMe1MS.
REVEALED IN A VISION.

Back from road leading out of
Il stands an old, deserted house
of the style built when honest work was
to be had for, though century and
more of age, its frame is stanch, its roof
sound, and its heavy doors fit their cas-
ings. 1t stands in hollow place that
has become marshy and that gives sus-
tenance to heavy growth Of weeds
The trees that stand about it are thick
and dark, and the countryman jogging
home at night speeds his step when no
passes this house, so still and lonely,
staring at him through dozen unglazed
windows. An eccentric character named
Barclay lived there as late as 1867, but
he disappeared suddenly. and the house
remained unoccupied +; for after his dis
appearance queer stories began to DO
told of the place, and people were found
who declared that they had seen lights
glinting about the premises at half past
one in the morning aud heard uncanny
noises.
Resolved to investigate the truth of
these reports | set forth one evening
to pass II night in the old mansion.
Frogs were piping in the distance and
fire-hies sparkled among the bushes, the
stars shone family, and the air had IL
hardly perceptiblc movement; it was n
still, muggy summer evening A walk
of a couple of miles brought me to the
place, and an unpleasant thrill traversed
my spine as | opened the creaking gate
and passed up the avenue of trees, for |
could have sworn that heard soft steps
behind me, and once felt puff of air
like cold breath on my cheek. All
was silent as pushed open the front
door. The air of the house was close
and IN usty as if decay had set in among
its timbers, and as if vapors from its
damp cellar found difficult outlet. | lit
dark lantern aud visited every room
and cupboard. without dscoving any
thing remarkable Dust lay thick on
everything, cobwcbs hung from the cell
ing, and in one room u bat startled me
by squeakng and whirring out through
an empty window. The interior Of the
house had been but little marked and
injured, but in bedroom on the upper
floor noticed that several bricks had
been pried out Of the bottom of the fire.
place with such force that two of them
were broken. Bending over to note the
extent of the damage again heard a
soft step behind me, but turning the
rays Of my lantern in that direction
saw nothing. Yet. stay What was that
on the floor where the football had sound
ed ? | brushed away the dust with my
handkerchief and dark stain appeared
Paint or varnish might have been spilled
there at some time.
An old box in the room afforded me Il
seat, and placing it in a corner leaned
against the wall and awaited develop
ments. The frogs chirpcd drowsily, the
leaves family rustled, once in a while a
timber cracked, and beetle droncd by
the window remember yawning once
or twice, and thinking that my vigil
was pretty stupid business, and that |
should have been better off in bed !; then
| fell asleep. | awoke with start.
The night was intensely dark and still
1t was clouding over, as if storm were
coming, and occasional CLEANS of light.
ming on the horizon made a faint ilIumi-
nation. | had been awake but few
moments when | became conscious of a
stealthy movement and soft breathing.
| reached for my lantern. 1t was ex.
tinguished The movement and the
breathing came nearer, and by a flicker
Of distant lightning | saw the forms o.
two men bent over the fireplace. They
appeared to be removing bricks, one, al
if in haste or Impotence, tore out I
couple with such force that they wer,
broken. AS if alarmed at the noise the,
had made, they crouched low and lis
: tened What need of this caution 70
| was the only other person in the house
, Hark what was that? A step was o
the stair, light CLEANED under til
door, the knob turned. aud old Barcla
! entered.