The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-04-24

fact that struck me as somewhat
singular When my friends got ready
to depart l told them thcy might leave
me there-that, Heaven and the Other
Place permitting, | should spend the
night under that roof-and that, if
they felt any interest in my fate, they
might come for me the next morning
at sunrise. They all shook hands
with me, confessed they did not envy
me my nights lodging and possible
entertainment, and went away with
much lighter spirits than l felt at see
ing them take their leave.
shall briefly pass over the first part
of the night, because nothing remark
able then occurred. | had selected a
front room in the second story for my
watch, and, pistol in hand, had sta
toned myself by one of the windows,
whence could make my exit to the
ground below, in case of dire necessity,
without any serious risk. Here | wit
messed the night gradually shut in the
scene, and felt the first lonliness OF
the solemn, heavy hours, as they
dragged on toward the mid watches.
Occasionally L took bite from
my basket and a sip from the bottle,
more for the purpose of having some
thing to do than because l felt the
need OF food or stimulants 1t was
very tedious keeping watch there all
alone in the dark, in an empty build
ing, afar from the sound or reach OF
human voice, and | almost began to
wish for a ghost of some kind to break
the dull, dreary, gloomy monotony.
At last-somewhere about midnight.
judge-I began to grow very drowsy;
and as keeping awake was no part of
my agreement or wager, sat down on
the floor, q la Turk, braced my back
against the wall, and soon began to
nod and dream, and finally lost myself
in sleep.
How long slept I do not know; but
in my sleep, none of the soundest, |
fancied | heard human voices, speak
ing in low. guarded, steady, monoto-
nous tones, that came to the ear like
the distant fall of water; yet, when |
awoke, which l did by losing my bal
ance and coming down with a shock
and a jar, the sound of the voices
seeHeI suddenly to cease. Was it
fancy? a dream? Or had heard some
one or more persons speaking?
Not being in the least bewildered at
suddenly awaking and finding myself
in my novel situation, but remember
ing all that had gone before and why
was there, l now lay still and listened,
keeping my eyes wide open, prepared
to hear and see whatever sound and
sight might be presented to the two
senses. and act accordingly.
Presently I heard what seemed to be
whispers, and feet moving cautiously
in the room below, and | must admit
had some rather strange feelings and
reflections. What if, after all, there
should be some truth in ghosts and
haunted housesp
Another short silence succeeded the
sounds | heard, or fancied 1 heard,
and then suddenly, bang! bang! bang
went three different doors in the story
below, followed by several groans and
a noise as of some person walking
heavily and dragging a chain along
the floor. There was no mistake this
time; and if l did start up rather
quickly, grasp two of my pistols very
tightly, and feel my hair rise. and
heart beat faster, / think, all things
considered, / neither felt nor exhibited
any more fear than the bravest would
have experienced and displayed under
the circumstances.
The sounds of the heavy footsteps
and the rafting drag of the chain still
continued, moving toward the stair
case, until it was reached. and then
ascending deliberately to the second
story-a blue light seeming to precede
the nocturnal walker, and, through the
open door, steal into the room where
was.
"Now for it" thought T, compress
ing my lips and steadying my nerves
with all the resolution at my COM
mand.
The sounds advanced, the light grew
brighter. and, with eyes half-starting
from my head, | stood staring at the
open door, prepared to behold some
awful apparition. Nearer and nearer
sounded the heavy steps and the rat
thing chain, and presently, what
seemed the form of a man enveloped
in white sheet and holding before
him small, iron vessel, burning a
blue light, appeared to my astonished
gaze.
I'm Gods name!' cried L; and then,
crack! crack! went both pistols in
quick succession.
A yell of terror followed. down went
the light, and away went apparition
and chain, laundering and Gathering
down the stairs. Then l heard quick
and excited voices speaking together,
rush of several feet, and noise of a
number of persons running across the
grounds outside.
L STOOD my ground and kept my
l.
turoed again. A little before sunrise,
my friends appeared, anxious to know
how l had passed the night. Thew
We're surprised to find several pieces
az I'll L., l.