The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1889-02-08

Just related to her, OF persons who had
been carried off when watching alone in
old ruinous houses. It was all to no
effect. Dolphs pride, as well as curiosity,
was piqued. He endeavored to calm the
apprehensions Of his mother, and to as
sure her that there was no truth in all
the rllmors she had heard; she looked at
him obviously and shook her head, but
finding his determination was not to be
shaken, she brought him little thick
Dutch Bible, with brass clasps, to take
with him, as sword wherewitb to fight
the powers of darkness; and, lest that
might not be sufficient, the housekeeper
gave him the Heidelberg catechism by
way of dagger.
The next night, therefore, Dolph TOOK
up his quarters for the third time in the
old mansion. Whether dream or not the
same thing was repeated. Towards mid.
night, when everything was still, the
same sound echoed through the empty
halls-tramp-tramp-tramp! The stairs
were again assembled; the door again
swung open; the old man entered, walked
round the room, hung up his hat and
seated himself by the table. The same
fear and trembling came over poor
Dolph, though not in SO violent degree.
He lay in the same way, motionless and
fascinated, staring at the figure, which
regarded him as before, with y dead,
fixed, chilling gaze. In this way they
remained for a long time, till, by de-
grees, Dolphs courage began gradually
to revive. Whether alive or dead this
being had certainly some object in his
visitation; and he recollected to have
heard it said, that spirits have no power
to speak until they are spoken to. Sum-
moning up resolution, therefore, and
making two or three attempts before he
could get his parched tongue in motion,
he addressed the unknown in the most
solemn form of admiration that he could
recollect, and demanded to know what
was the motive of his visit.
No sooner had he finished than the old
man rose, took down his hat, the door
opened and he went out, looking back
upon Dolph just as he crossed the TIRES
hold, as if expecting him to follow. The
youngster did not hesitate an instant
He took the candle in his hand and the
Bible under his arm and obeyed the tacit
invitation. The candle emitted feeble,
ray; but still he could see the
figure before him, slowly descend the
stairs. He followed, trembling When
it had reached the bottom of the stairs it
turned through the hall toward the back
door of the mansion. Dolph held the
light over the balustrades, but in his
eagerness to catch a sight of the I'M
known he fared his feeble taper SO sud-
denly that it went out. Still there was
sufficient light from the pale moon
beams that fell through narrow win
dow to give him an indistinct view of
the figure near the door. He followed,
therefore, down stairs and turned towards
the place, but when he got there the I'M
known had disappeared. The door re-
NAMED fast barred and bolted; there was
no other mode of exit; yet the being,
whatever he might be, was gone. He
the door and looked out into
night, so that the eye could distinguish
objects at some distance. He thought he
saw the unknown in a footpath that led
rom the door. He was not mistaken;
out how had he got out of the house? He
lid not pause to think, but followed on.
The old man proceeded at measured
pace, without looking about him, his
sounding on the hard ground.
He passed through the orchard of apple
,rees that stood near the house, always
keeping the feotpaGh. 1t he'd to we'll,
situated in a little hollow, which had
supplied the farm with water. just at
his well Dolph lost sight of him. He
ubbed his eyes and looked again; but
lothing was to be seen of the unknown.
lie reached the well, but nobody was
here All the surrounding ground was
,pen and clear; there was no bush nor
hiding place. He looked down the well
md saw, at great depth, the reflection
If the sky in the still water. After re-
naming here for some time, without see
ng or hearing anything more Of his
mysterious conductor, he returned to the
house full of awe and wonder. He
,olted the door, CROPPED his way back to
)ed, and it was long before he could
compose himself to sleep.
His dreams were strange and troubled.
He thought he was following the old man
llong the side of great river, until they
,ame to a vessel that was on the point of
'ailing; and that his conductor led him on
BOARD and vanished. He remembered
he commander of the vessel, short,
,warthy man, with crisped black hair,
blind of one eye and lame of one leg; but
he rest of his dream was very confused.
he was sailing; sometimes on
shore; now amidst storms and tempests,
md now wandering quietly in unknown
streets. The figure of the old man was
strangely mingled up with the incidents
If the dream, and the whole distinctly
wound up by his finding himself on
BOARD of the vessel again, returning home
with great bag of money!
When he woke the gray, cool light of
lawn was streaking the horizon, and the
locks passing the reveil from farm to
arm throughout the country. He rose
more harassed and perplexed than ever.
lie was singularly confounded by all that
le had seen and dreamt, and began to
loubt whether his mind was not affected
md whether all that was passing in his
thoughts might not be mere feverish fam
asy. In his present state of mind he
lid not feel disposed to return immedi-
ltely to the doctors and undergo the
ross questioning of the household. He
made scanty breakfast, therefore, on
he remains of the last nights provisions,
md then wandered out into the fields to
Mediate on all that had Detailed him.
lost in thought, he rambled about, grad
tally approaching the town, until the
was far advanced, when he was
Oused by hurry and hustle around
linn. He found himself near the waters
'dge in throng of people, hurrying to "a
bier, where there was vessel ready to
make sail. He was unconsciously car
led along by the impulse of the crowd,