Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-07-02
THE CLOCKS SECRET.

1t was hard work to build up a doctors
practice in such an out of the way
Southern town, but held on and hoped
for the best. Annie taught in the public
school there, and said she was content to
wait if it was for 10 years until we should
be able to marry.
l was just beginning to despair. when
heard of my uncle's death in the North.
lie had left me nothing, however but his
old manor near the town where lived
mo,dy old structure, inhabited by an
old darkey caretaker, and for many years
the upper floors had never been occupied
On Saturday took Annie down to look
over the place, for after all it was some
thing to own house and be free from
rent when we were married.
"Ef | was you," said the old negress
when we explained the reason of our
visit. II wouldn't go up them windin'
stairs The upper floors is full of ghosts
and ghostesses. Why, my brudder went
up one day, and he was found nigh dead
the next mawn."
only laughed at Interpretations and
half way up the most horrible sounds
greeted us. 1t was as the old woman
had said, as though whole host of de-
mons were groaning and gnashing their
teeth, and the sounds seemed to envelop
us. They were horrible, and enough to
make the stoutest heart quail, for they
seemed to increase after they had once
commenced
turned to Annie as quickly as could
and, seeing by her face that she was like,
ly to faint, put my arm about her to sup
port her as seated her on lower step,
for the sound ceased as we stepped back.
DO you mind waiting for me down
stairsI" | asked, while l examine into
this, or would you prefer to have me
wait and come out another time?"
"No, am going up stairs with you."
she said bravely, 81 am ashamed of my
want of nerve just now."
As she spoke she leaned back and
rested one elbow on the step - 20 her.
Instantly the horrible sounds We, heard
again, but as Annie moved forward a gain
they suddenly ceased.
You had better let me take you down,
said quickly, as I Isaw her face lose color
again.
NO" she said in half subdued voice,
Il felt something give way just then,
Tom. See what it is.
1t did not take me many minutes to
remove the carpet, but in doing it l found
that could, at will, render the horrible
sounds audible or inaudible Annie be-
came as much interested and excited as
], and when l raised the loose plank
that seemed to cause it all she peered
with as much interest as l into the cavity
it revealed.
II am not afraid of anything now"
she had said when l hesitated to remove
it. 81 must see what it is, Tom. ="
What we did see was mass of ma
chinery. There were wheels, so pnt to-
gether that they grated frightfully when
touched.
What do you suppose this was for?'
asked Annie.
II do not know, unless my uncle used
it as sort of watchdog to keep from be-
ing molested while upstairs. He sur
rounded himself with mystery to make
himself and everything about him ter
ror to both black and white during the
war"
We examined the machinery and its
connection, and found that each step
above it was connected with some part
of it, SO that the sounds kept increasing
as one proceeded up the stairs; but, just
as l was about to restore the plank to its
place, she stopped me, and drawing out
Il slip of yellow paper, read:
Behind the clock on the stairs.
Above us, still and silent, stood tho
old clock on the landing. Slowly, and
with feeling of awe, we went to it and
moved it, wondering what new mystery
was about to be explained; but appar-
emily there was nothing unusual; ex-
amined the clock itself and then the wall,
having some visionary ideas of secret pan.
els, but all of no avail, and we were
about to give up the search when the sun
came out again, and, shining through
broken shutter, showed a solitary spcck
in the oldfashioned paper that glittered
like diamond. Eagerly we worked at
it, until we could understand the working
of it, and then-yes, there was our secret
panel, and there was my dead and gone
uncle's money box.
Taking it into an adjoining room and
examining it, we found papers and
money amounting to $1,000, which had
been hidden during the war for safe
keeping. AS the money was all in gold,
it would have been godsend to somo
one had not my uncle, by his eccentrici-
ties and mysteries kept every one at bay.
Unfortunately he did not live to enjoy it
himself, and it was loft for me to inherit
and make the most of. Annie and l de-
cided Immediately to make our home
there, and it is very happy one, for the
winding stairs send forth none but happy
sounds now. ~-