Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-09-14

any human being, surely! Pitched on
high, quavering tone, and yet so soft
and small; SO faint, as though borne
from a great distance; SO plain, as
though right at my bedside; bearing no
semblance to human tones, but never
theless undoubtedly q voice; for after
time could distinguish word now
and then.
If there were in the world weird, mis-
shapen little folks like fairies and
gnomes. and we could hear their con-
versation, imagine their voices would
sound like this one to which now was
listening.
There was no wonder Mrs. Snyder
had been impressed by it, if this were
the voice she had heard.
Strange indeed, and unnatural, as
though not of this world, it seemed to
me. A creeping sensation came over
me, not exactly like that produced by
fear; there was more of awe, of sol
emnity, about it.
The sound of the voice was intermit-
tent. There would be few words,
then pause, and so on. could make
no sense of the few disjointed sentences.
1t lasted but few minutes. Indeed, so
brief was the conversation, if that is
what it was, there was no time to make
an investigation.
After long period of anxious listen
ing settled down again for sleep. And
when at last slumber came, it was
troubled. Vague, shadowy dreams fit
ted across my consciousness. and
through them all was sort of premo-
milton of future events, which seemed
to have bearing upon the robbery.
The next morning I Twas awakened by
the sun shining in my face. Hardly
had got my eyes open and my senses
aroused to my new surroundings, when
a loud and long-continued humping
on the front door caused me to spring
out of bed. Hastily DOMINIC a few gar
ments, went to the door and opened
it,
Mrs. Snyder was standing there, and
an unmistakable look of relief came
over her face when she saw me.
Zach my! you schleep SO sount vas
afrait somesing de matter!" she said.
'sBreakfas' vas retty long dime alretty."
"All right. I'll be right over and eat
it," replied.
While was dressing the recollection
of the strange voice of the last night
came to me. Now, in the broad glare of
the forenoon, when all mystery takes
flight and the Authorizations of the
aarkneSs become trivial, wondered il
my imagination had played me trick.
1t seemed as though had heard the
voice in q dream, so unreal did the cir
cumstance appear now,
was standing by the huge chimney,
when again, breaking in upon my
thoughts, came the sound of that mys-
FERROUS small voice.
AS on the night before, there were no
completed sentences; only word be-
tween pauses of various duration. The
sounds We're palmer, however; not loud
er. but more distinct.
Here was mystery indeed, one which
did not choose only the shades of night
| for its manifestations. but came in the
daytime, as though possessed of such
| subtle and unaccountable qualities that
IL ulSnu uely research.
After the voice had ceased, and con.
tinued my toilet, the sound of talking,
coming from the walk outside, reached
me.
! glanced out of the window, and saw
Sarah and Mrs. Snyder again in most
earnest conversation.
Somewhat surprised to see my old
nurse so early in the day, called to
her:
Hello, Sarah! What's the trouble
What brought you here at this time?'
Zach, Mel, bud am glad to see you!
she exclaimed. 81 couldn't sehleep all
night"
Now, that vas too bad said
What kept YOU awakes"
+ vas thinkin' OF you all alone in dis
olt house. and so much strangeness
ahaNd it," the good soul replied, with
her honest old face upturned to me.
THAT was very foolish. Nothing i
going to happen to me-" said lightly
although was not So sure of it now.
When went outside the two wome1
We're stiTl talking, and there was al
o''S-SliiSNS SA l'iCSSlOll Oli edCll lace.
What are you two superstitious oil
girls doing now?" I asked, "Hatchins
UP more mysterious tales2"
| Mrs. Snyder gravely shook her head
as though seriously condemning Levitt,
on supernatural subjects. Sarah rest
ed her hand on my arm, and gazed W
into my face. There was deep concern
| in every line of her countenance.
mel, you come wiz me-" she said
| leading the way. followed around
the corner of the house, and she stopped
before window, the shutters of wits
We're closed.
| "Look!" she exclaimed, pointing to
ward the shutters. Mrs. Snyder say,
dat vas not deere yesterday"
| Like those of most Pennsylvani;
farmhouses, the downstairs window
were provided viii, solid board shu,
tiers.
| In the center Of this particular pat
vas q small round hole, from the edge
Of which few chips running with thu
grain of the wood were broken.
"Well, what of it?" / asked, hoping
that ] could avoid giving an explana
| ton, for was trifle ashamed of my
self for firing at my own reflection.
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