Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-11-28
VISION OR DREAM?
"A TRAVELLERS STRANGE TAIL OF
A'NIGHT'S EXPERIENCE.
A Haunted House and the Crime That
Was Reproduced.

In 1867 l took my departure from
Alexandria, La, going across thu
country in the direction of LAX.
Charles, says Little Rock correspond
ent of the st. Louis Globe Democrat
and in the afternoon of the second da,
l was oyertaken by q high wind anc
binding, drenching rain. The rail-
came down in torrents and the wind
howlcd wildly through the towering
boughs of the dense forest. Added tc
these causes of fear The lightning was
almost unceasing, 'and ever and anon
its lurid redness could be seen stream
ing around the tall trunk of some great
tree, leaving in its wake a narrow
white streak where 1t had torn Off the
bark. But while the storm ragged
rode into small opening. in the midst
of which stood decaying log house,
with sheds on either side. Under one
of these sheds took shelter.
When the storm subsidized the somber
curtains of night had fallen about me.
and knew it would be rashness 10 at
tempt to proceed on my journey with
the expectation of reaching farm
house; consequently, resolutely de-
termined to remain where was.
Was l afraidI Well-no-but con-
fess | was affected with symptoms of
"St. Vitus' dance;" but at this
"dance" felt no inclination to try a
waltz. For / had no sooner coiled
up on my bed than old stories of such
dismal places came marching in
through the windows of my memory.
and / knew not at what moment L
should see them materialized, trooping.
in through the doorway of the old
hut.
Finally grew weary and fell asleep
about 1880 O'Clock, l suppose.
Some time thereafter l awokc to find
the old cabin in good repair and fur
nished throughout. A blazing fire
cracked in the spacious fireplace, be-
fore which an elderly gentleman sat
reading aloud from French newspa-
per. In the corner opposite my couch
sat beautiful young lady, dressed in
a flowing gown of immaculate white,
attentiyely listening to the reading.
Her jet-black locks fell in graceful
ringlets over her shapely shoulders,
and light of superior intelligence
CLEANED from her dark, liquid, fawn-
like eyes.
When the reading ceased both laugh
ed; the daughter arose, approached the
father, aflectionately brushed back his
thin locks with her soft white hand
and pressed her coral lips to bis fore
head. She then walked across the
room to a small bureau, but inst us she
it some one called at the
gate. The old gentleman walked to
the door and asked-in good English:
"Who is there?"
1.-TWO belated travellers who solicit
yonr hospitality" came the response.
''Shall we entertain them, Pauline"
the father asked.
ayes, father" the Young lady re-
piled, "for it is fearful night for any
one TO be out"
every well, gentlemen, come in"
said the good old man.
In few minutes the travellers were
seated before the comfortable fire,
with their host and hostess in
q sociable manner.
In the course of time something was
said about cards, and the host imme-
diately proposed a game of poker. The
was eagerly accepted by |
the guests, and the trio were soon seat
ed around small table betting quite |
literally. Luck appeared to smile up
on the host. Presently an unusually |
arge stake lay on the table and again
The host won. The stout man was on
MS feet in second, and drawing a
pistol, sent leadcn
Missile of death in the direction of the
winner. But the messenger missed
Is mark and plunged deep into the
heart of the young lady.
The blood spurtod from the wound in
great crimson stream, and ere one
;ould write single word she sprang
Up, uttered a heartrending shrek and
ell to the fioor-dead.
But she had scarcely fallen when her
ather was shot dead by the dark man.
This bloody deed seemed a great
urprise TO the murderers, evincing
he fact that they had not intended to
murder those who lay dead at their
Get. Hence, after consultation, it
vas agreed to hide the bodies in the
'osom of old earth. In accordance
With this decision the remains were
aiken up and carried away.
In due time the murlerers returned,
nd understood that the bodies had
pan buriad in n r.ayine about a half l