The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-31
A ROMANTIC ADVENTURE
AN AMERICAN BECOMES PRIs-
oNER IN AN ANCIENT ABBEY.

OlstrSSS Upon a FAR stranger.
From the Nei0 York Herald
Far removed as l am from the scene of
an unfortunate and distressing adventure,
my pride yet Graves vindication. Hence 1
now make full confession through the me-
dunn Of that greatest Of international car
riers, the Herald
We have had il harped into our ears that
"truth is stranger than fiction" but seldom
realize the correctness of this proverb until
we attempt 60 write down some actual ex-
peRience in real life. Then it is that we often
blush at our own statements and become
ashamed Of them as crude improbabilities.
Fearful OF appearing ridiculous, and of hav-
ing our talents as well as our veracity
questioned, we meekly begin to make reser-
vatioas in our own minds, rather than COM
NIT ourselves to a rash and awkard de-
parture from the artistic limits of mere
fiction, or risk not standing within the
lines OF accepted realism in good romance.
But shall fearlessly relate my little ad-
venture in all its sensational yellow cover"
aspect, believing 1t will interest and amuse
several thousands who yearly go proving
around studying the older countries, and
that they will not charge the Herald with
having tnsulted their Intelligence by having
published it.
While eating O repsst preparatory to
taxing a return train to London, in true
American style sought to establish little
fellowship with those about me and to sume-
what dispel the gloomy lonesomeness with
which this quiet and stald old quarter op-
presses stranger. With pride boasted Of
having quickly covered so much ground,
and confidentiallY questioned person near
me as to whether l had not seen and prop
erly studied all that q student or an en-
thusast could expect Of me, should re-
count my visit to Windsor upon my retnrn
90 America. had been to the little church
in "Stoke Poges." and stood by the side Of
the spreading yew treesn of which the
poet Gray sung.
But" exclaimed my new found friend,
''You have not been to the old Norman
church in Clever, near byn
AN EVENING JAUNT.
The inner man completely refreshed, my
conscience would not allow me TO return to
London untn l had Investigated this an
Gent edifice, which understood to be /, 900
yeers old or Whereabouts. It was only a couple
of miles distant. and In the brecing at
mosphere of an autumn day was really
enthusiastic for the walk along the banks OF
the sleepy Thames, the waters OF which re-
hected the setting sun. Being young man
/ was flushed with healthy circulation Of
blood and became enthusiastic through an
aroused energy when l entered the dreamy
churohyard thick with bushes and
yew srees. With buoyant spirits /
hurried to the heavy oak door of the church
at the end Of the path before me. It was
locked. lscoured along the outer walls of
the structure, unsucOessfully striving to
gain a glimpse Of the interior through
diminutive stained glass windowa The
outward masonry seemed composed entirely
of mass Of pebbles aud cement. But. oh
what lpnpd lU0irl a ffar half
circuit OF the building 1 discovered that
one Of the little narrow windows had been
left open. / felt adventuresome aud only
hesitated q moment before poking my head
through and then struggling 90 draw my
body after. 1t was my duty to gaze upon
an interior which had reverberated with
echoes from throats now silent for ten
centuries.
II was handsome, highly polished rose
wood or mahogany table upon which was
sprawled after passing the window. even to
my feet. was little conscience stricken,
but as twas fast becoming dark did NOT
think had time 60 ascertain how many
scratches upon its surface from buttons
finger nails or shoes may have resulted
from my vigorous struggles TO pay my re-
spectS to the interior OF this old temple
l at once strobe forth into the body OF
the church, and with the utmost confidence
rushed through the dismal light to the
altar, and then up and dywn the aisles,
eager to do IL up brown and be gone with a
conscience easy in a realization OF duty per-
formed.
Reading ancient memorials and insorip-
tions upon slabs which possibly helped to
encase the dead is not cheering, and nv
spirits fell before bad completed my crop
ings in hooks and corners Twilight was
settling upon this ancient vault and an
oppressive silence reigned about it
VII Otnalx l,aA -.
ner, not only to keep aroused my energy,
but to somewhat dispel the shrinking and
intimidating effects of the surrounding
gloom and awful silence. Thus sought to
invigorate the atmosphere of death, and
through my own energy t forget suggestions
OF apparitions arising from vaults, and dis
sipate the other wise weird and uncanny
feelings enveloping me. It was a weird aud
uncanny place at any time OF day, and far
from enlivening in the cleaning. The
spirit of conQueror in possession of a
stronghold had deserted me, and no longer
glowed with satisfaction over my victorious
entrance An unpleasant consciousness pos
sessed me that was virtually locked up
alone in this dreary place at nightfall. 1
was seized with misgivings regarding the
suffciency of the extremely narrow and
uncomfortable crevice l counted upon to
serve me in return to the outer world,
and with no table on the outside.
BEATING A RETREAT.
surrendered my ardor to study anti
quities and ttptoed in ignominious retreat
toward my only exit, determined to seek
surroundings, more inspiriting after sun-
down, yet fearful of not escaping the tomb
/ had entered before entire darkness might
settle upon it.
Nearly gaining the altar / thought 1
heard slight noise at the heavy oaken
door at the back end of the church. Surely
some one was inserting key
Instipctively l stepped into one Of the
large modern pews and crouched down, in
the spirit of one guilty OF some grave
offense. Resting upon the seat and gazing
through the dim light thought saw the
door slowly opening. Involuntarily
ducked down upon the floor out of sight,
flushed with modification at the thought OF
being found locked In this place
and not relishing the prospect of
having to confess that curiosity had
led me to stoop to the indignity of
crawling in through window-such a
very small window, It were preferable to
wait and secretly retire than to have any
American enterprise laughed at or risk
being stamped church breaker. And then
feared to startle the primitive mind over
my seeming dissertations and dreaded TO
shock its sensibilities to the extent of COM
hitting myself to possible scratches upon
a l.