Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-06-05

of the Grail family also, and the prob
able yisitant that had so long disturbed
the equanimity of the household-an
habitual sleep-walker. whose nocturnal
perambulations had extended no farther
than this particular chamber, and
which had been kept up nightly for a
space Of seven long years, without COM
ing TO the knowledge of the family.
satisfied with this, | began 10
breathe easier. reached out cautiously
and touched the sleeper. 1t was
soft, plump, warm arm that my hand
came in contact witE-velvety and
smooth to the touch as a piece of satin.
| had heard that a too sudden awaken
ing from the somnamOulistic state was
sometimes attended with dangerous OF
fatal consequences to the subject. 1
was therefore very cautious in my
movements, lest | should disturb the
sleeper. Ny fingers were as light and
unnoticeable in their advances to the
soft little hand, which lay mo.ionleSs
at the sleeper's side, as the breath of
the south wind, OF the touch of fall
ing snowflake. The unconscious
sleeper gave no start. nor other recog-
niZable sign of awakening. There was
heavy PLAIN ring on the foretingeT Of
the hand in question, and that /
adroitly succeeded in removing. ! tried
it on my own fingers, and found it an
exact tit for the little one. l knew il
was 4 woman, for no man or boy )
hand could have been rs little. l con-
cluded not TO replace II, for, with this
tell tale evidence in my possession, il
might not be difficult the next day TO
identify the owner.
&
suspicious, which ultimately turned out
correct. the chamber was so dark that
l found II impossible, for certainty,
TO recognize who WAS nv transient
visitor and bed-fellOw. After trans
ferring the ring 10 my own finger. l lay
quietly awake, and without moving, 4
long time an hour or more-when the
sleeper began 10 move, and murmul
softly:
4 must 20 now, mother, | will come
again tomorrow. l will kiss you now
there WAS sound and movement OF
the lips in imitation of the imaginary
IlutatiOn-'GOOd-byl
At the conclusion of this touching
proof OF an affectionate nature, dwell,
ing on a by-gone memory, the sleeper
crept softly out of bed. and stole noise
lessly out Of the room. l went to sleeI
after this, and my slumbers were not
disturbed either, by the appearance OF
the thought of a shadow of a ghost
When i awOke III the morning, / lay
for long time Illuminating on my move
adventure of the preceding night, anC
did not get up till the deacon called me
to breakfast.
Il found the family all up before me
and waiting TO sit down to the table
| glanced at Susan Childs. She dropped
her eyes demurely, but l thought there
Was the shadow of some recent trouble
on her face. l could easily guess what.
There was narrow white circle on the
right forefinger of the little brown hand
1t was where the tell-tale ring had beer
removed. 1t was clearly explained now
No ghost had ever found ingresSIo thai
haunted chamber. 1t was only haunted
by pretty sleep walker in the person
of Susan Childs. We all sat down tC
breakfast. and after the deacon had
asked the customary blessing, they were
all curious TO learn il / had seen the
ghost. | shook my head In the mega.
tive.
Did you hear anything?' l answered
'NO!-nothing that would pass for a
ghost The family looked relieved,
and the conversation soon drifted into
other channels.
Don't mind it, DEAR said Mrs.
Grail, turning TO her niece; and then
glancing up pat me, continued; susan
) out of sorts this morning. She has
lost her gold ring, and cannot ind il.
'IndeedH said 1, displaying the ring on
my little finger. rs this itI'
she gave a joyous little cry, and
reached eagerly for IL.
1t was my mothers, and l prize II
very highly. Where did you hnd itI
l told the story with additional zest, in
consideration of Susan s bushes. But
the shock upon her sensibIlities cured
her of sleep-walking, as | can testify
for she became my wife after, and there
sine sits, ready TO answer for herself. ,