San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-02-14

| Tho sexton disburdened himself at a
vestry meeting that was held that very
day, and the black cool, forsook her
kitchen, and spent half the day at the
street pump, that gossiping place Of ser
wants, dealing forth tho news to oil that
came for water. Ina little time the whole
town was In a buzz with tales about the
haunted house. Some said that Claus
Hopper had seen tho devil, while others
limited that the house was haunted by
the ghosts of some Of tho patients whom
the doctor had physicked out Of the
world, and that was the reason why no
did not venture to live In it himself.
All this put the little doctor In ter
rible fume. He threatened vengeance
on any ono who should infect the value
of his property by exciting popular pre-
judices. Ho complained loudly Of thus
being In q manner dispossessed of his
territories by nero bugbears; but he
secretly determined to have tho house
exercised by the dominic. Great was
his relief therefore, when, In tho midst
of his perplexities, Dolph stepped for
ward and undertook to garrison the
haunted house. The youngster had been
listening to all the stories of Claus Hop
per and Peter de Groodt; he was fond Of
adventure, he loved tho marvellous, and
his imagination had become quite ex-
cited by these tales of wonder. Besides,
he had led such an uncomfortable life ut
the doctors, being subjected to the in
tolerable thralldom Of early hours, that
he was delighted at the prospect of
having house to himself, even though
1t should be haunted one. His offer
was eagerly accepted, and it was de-
termined that he should mount guard
that very night. His only stipulation
was, that the enterprise should be kept
secret from his mother; for he knew
the poor soul would not sleep wink If
she knew that her son was waging war
with the powers Of darkness.
When night came on, he SGT out on
this perilous expedition. The old black
cook, his only friend in the household,
had provided him with a little mess for
supper, and rushlight; and she tied
round his neck an amulet, given her by
an African conjurer, us a charm against
evil spirits. Dolph was escorted on his
way by the doctor and Peter de Groodt,
who had agreed to accompany him to
the house and to see him safe lodged.
The night was overcast, and 1t was very
dark when they arrived at the grounds
which surrounded tho mansion. The
sexton led the way with lantern. AS
they walked along the avenue Of acscias.
tho fitful light, catching from bush to
bush, and tree to tree, often startled the
doughty Peter, and made him fall back
upon his followers; and the doctor
grabbed still closer hold Of Dolph's arm,
observing that the ground was very
slippery and uneven. At one time they
were nearly put to total rout by bat
which came fitting about the lantern;
and the notes of the insects from the
trees, and the frogs from a neighboring
pond, formed most drowsy and doleful
concert.
The front door of the mansion opened
with a grating sound, that made the
doctor turn pale. They entered toler-
ably large hall, such as is common In
American country houses, and which
serves Us sitting room In warm weather.
From hence thsy went up wide stair
case, that groaned and creaked as they
trod, every step making its particular
nete, like the key of harpischord. This
led to another hall ON the second story,
from whence they entered the room
where Dolph was to sleep. It was large
and scantily furnished; the shutters were
closed. but as they were much broken
there was no want III circulation OF
air. 1t appeared to have been that
sacred chamber known among Dutch
housewives by the name OF ''the best
bedroom" which is tho best furnished
room in the house, but In which scarce
anybody is ever permitted to sleep.
Its splendor, however, was all at
an end. There were few broken
articles Of furniture about the room
and in the center stood O heavy deal
table and large arm chair, both OF
which had the look Of being cocval with
the mansion. The fireplace was wide,
and had been faced with Dutch tiles,
representing Scripture stories; but some
of them had fallen out OF their places,
and lay shattered about the hearth. The
sexton had lit the rush light; and the
doctor, looking fearfully about the room,
was just exhorting Dolph to be Of good
cheer, and to pluck up n stout heart,
when noise in the chimney, like voices
and struggling, struck sudden panic
into the sexton. He took to his heels
with the lantern; the doctor followed
hard after him; the stairs groaned and
creaked as they hurried down, increasing
their agitation and speed by its noises.
The front door slammed after them; and
Dolph heard them scrabbling down
the avenue, till the sound of their feet
was lost i'm the distance. That he did not
join in this precipitate retreat, might
have been owing to his possessing little
moro courage than his companions, or
perhaps that he had caught a glimpse of
the cause of their dismay, In nest OF
chimney swallows, that came tumbling
down into the fire place.
Being now left 70 himself, he secured
the front door by strong bolt and bar;
and having seen that the other entrances
were fastened, he returned to his desolate
chamber. Having made his supper from
the basket which the good old cook had
provided, he locked the chamber door
and retired to rest on n mattress In one
corner. The night was calm and still;
and nothing broke upon the profound
quiet but the lonely chirping Of a cricket
from the chimney Of a distant chamber.
The rushlight, which stood in the center
Of the deal table, shed a feeble yellow
ray, dimly illumining the chamber, and
making uncouth shapes and shadows on
the walls, from the clothes which Dolph
had thrown over a chair.
With all his boldness of heart, there
was something subduing in this desolate
scene; and he felt his spirits flag within
him as he lay on his hard bed and gazed
about the room. He was turning over
In his mind his idle habits, his doubtful
prospects, and now and then heaving a
heavy sigh. as he thought on his poor old
mother; for there Is nothing Ike the
silence and Loneliness Of night 10 bring
dark shadows over the brightest mind.
BY and by. he thought be heard G souDd
as II some one Vas walking below stairs
lie listened, and distinctly heard a
step On the great stair case IL ap-
rr6ached solemnly and slowly, tramp
tragnpy-tTamp! IL was evidently the tread
of soIne heavy Parsonage. and yet bow