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

more IL naunted MN.
Though he persisted In strict silence
as TO oil that he had seen or heard, yet
his looks betrayed the uncomfortable
night he had passed. 1t was evident
that there was something wonderful hid
den under this mysterious reserve. The
doctor took him into his study, locked
the door and sought to have q full and
confidential communication; but he
could get nothing out Of him. Frau
Ilsy took him aside into the pantry, but
to as little purpose, and Peter do Groodt
held him by the button for o full hour'in
the churchyard, the very place to get Of
the bottom Of ghost story, but came OIL
not whit wiser than the rest. 1t Is al
ways the case, however, that one truth
concealed makes o dozen current lies.
It Is like guinea locked up In bank,
that has dozen paper representatives.
Before the day was over, the neighbor.
hood was full of reports. Some said
that Dolph Heyliger watched In the
haunted house with pistols loaded with
silver bullets; others that he had o long
talk with tho specter without n headi
others, that DR.. Knipperhausen and the
sexton had been hunted down tho Bow
cry lane and quito into town by aiegion
Of ghosts of their customers. Some
shook their heads, and thought 1t o
shame that the doctor should put Dolph
to pass the night alone In that dismal
house, where he might be spirited
away, no ono knew whittier; while
others observed, with shrug, that II the
devil did carry off the youngster, IL
would be but taking his own.
These rumors Mt length reached the
ears Of the good Dame Heyliger, and, as
may be supposed, threw her into terri
bic alarm. For her son to have opposed
himself to danger from living foes would
have been nothing 80 dreadful In her
eyes as to dare alone the terrors OF the
haunted house. She fastened to the doc
tors, and passed great part OF the day
In attempting to dissuade Dolph from re-
peating his vigil; she told him o score OF
tales, which her gossiping friends had
Just related to her, OF persons who had
been carried Off when watching alone in
old ruinous houses. IL wus all to no
effect. Dolph's pride, as well as curiosity,
was piqued. He endeavorcd to calm the
apprehensions Of his mother, and to as
sure her that there was no truth In oil
the rumors she had heard; she looked ut
him obviously and shook her head, but
finding his determination was not to DO
shaken, she brought him little thick
Dutch Bible, with brass clasps, to take
with him, as sword wherewitb TO fight
tho powers of darkness; and, lest that
might not be sufficient tho housekeeper
gave him the Heidelberg catechism by
way Of q dagger.
The next night, therefore, Dolph took
up his quarters for the third time In Il
old mansion. Whether dream or not
same thing was repeated. Towards mid
night, when everything was still, the
same sound echoed through the empty
halls--tramp-tramp-trampl 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 o degree;
He lay in the same way, motionless and
fascinated, staring at the figure, which
regarded him as before, with dead,
fixed, chilling gaze. In this way they
remained for long time, till, by de-
grees, Dolph's courage began gradually
to revive. Whether alive or dead this
being had certainly some object In his
visitation; and he recollected to have
heard II 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 tho unknown in the most
solemn form Of adjuration 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 thres-
hold, as II expecting him to follow. Tho
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 q feeble,
uncertain 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 1t
turned through the hall toward the back
door of the mansion. Dolph held tho
light over the balustrades, but In his
eaperness to catch sight Of the un-
known he flared his feeble taper 30 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 un-
known had disappeared. The door re-
mained fast barred and bolted; there was
no other mode Of exit; yet the being.
whatever he might be, was gone. He
unfastened the door and looked out into
the fields. II was a hazy, moonlight
night, so that tho eye could distinguish
objects at some distance. He thought he
saw the unknown In q footpath that led
from the door. He was not mistaken;
but how had he got out of the housef He
did not pause 10 think, but followed on:
The old man proceeded at a measured
pace, without looking about him. his
footsteps sounding on the hard ground.
He passed through the orchard OF apple
trees that stood near the house, always
keeping the footpath. IL led TO well,
situated I'm a little hollow, which had
supplied the farm with water. Just nt
this well Dolph lost sight OF him. he
rubbed his eyes and looked again; but
nothing was 10 be seen OF the unknown.
He reached the well, but nobody was
there. All the surrounding ground was
open and clear; there was no bush nor
hiding place. He looked down the well
and saw, at a great depth, the reelection
Of the sky in the still water. After re-
naming here for some time, without see
Ing or hearing anything more OF his
mysterious conductor, he returned 10 the
house full Of awe and wonder. he
bolted the door, groPed his way back 70
bed, and IL was long before he could
comDosc himself 10 sleep.