Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1897-01-07
HIS OWN IMAGE.

| YORK ana stopped at hotel in back
street. AS he was being shown to his
room he was startled by most demoniac
YELL succeeded by the most horrid laugh
ter, apparently from some one in a room
on the corridor they were approaching.
The servant FASTENED to explain that II
was gentleman who had been drinking
too much and was suffering with delirium
tremens. Not relishing such a neghbor,
my friend hesitated about proceeding far
Their; but, on the assurance of the servant
that this was the first time that the sick
man had made any noise, and that he was
In charge of two friends who had volun-
teered to sit up with him, Charley con-
cluded to proceed.
1t was with much misgiving that he de-
posted his valise on the small BILE in the
room, and prepared to take possession Of
| his quarters. The wind was bowling
| mournfully around the house, and the
rain beat wildly on the window panes. He
would have liked fire If he could have
afforded it, for the weather was chilly and
the room damp Hastily dsrobing himself
| and extinguishing the candle, he enjoyed
the luxury of the first stretch in 4S hours.
No one appreciates that luxury better
than he who has been confined in the ex
asperating limits Of seat in railroad
car for two nights in succession.
He fell asleep almost instantly. How
long he remained SO be could not tell; but
some time during the night he was awak
ened by quick, sharp noise at his bed
side, resembling the overthrow of piece
Of furniture. the bursting open of
door. Starting up In his bed he was hor
rifed to see standing near him figure in
white, with glazing eyes and disheveled
hair, apparently about to spring upon him.
He at once realized the situation. The
victim of mania Il potu had es' ped from
his watchers and obtained admission to
his room, The thought passed like light
ming through his brain, and his heart
stood still with alright. Almost as sud
denly, however, the apparition vanished.
The disappearance affected him no less
seriously, for he knew not from what
quarter to expect an attack. Anything
was preferable to such uncertainty, and,
momentarily expecting to encounter the
maniac he CROPPED his way in the dark to
the table where he had left the candle.
Never will he forget the horror of that
situation. 1t seemed an age to him be-
fore he succeeded in obtaining light.
When its feeble glmmer penetrated the
room, to his astonishment it was empty.
Aiming himself with his cane, he COM
menced search, but without discovering
| the intruder The door was locked on the
| inside and the windows secured. There
was but one closet in the room, and that
was empty.
/, After looking everywhere that it was
possible or impossible for any one to Sc
crete himself he drew u long breath, in
the assurance that he was the only occu-
pant of the room. Could he have been
mlstakeh' ooula IL nave been orealn'
Az all events there was 20 more steep
ior MN tfao night Ai'er dressing MN
sell ne was anouo 10 go 10 'he oiiice oi u .
ho'el anu Apply lor announcer rooili' "heil IL
occurred To MIN ohao III "oulu 10 ra'ner
embarrassing 10 explain MS reason ior ue.
oii'S ciah ee' "a u' III .He h'pe oHd' ~
was near lhorhihs, lor he hau no Wa'ch,
ne "f"ppeo .he peucio'hes aiouho mn d
sao III chair a"aitihe the preah vi oaS.
Inc canuie purneo W 'os SUNNI peiofe J
oa"ned. us lrst feeble gnmmer hAu
hardiy maze lts appearance "hen ne oe-
scehdea TO the once ana awalted MS
breakfast, with the determination OF seek
ing other quarters alter"ard
ne hau oecloed 10 say hothlhg OF MS
scare BIt Wheh the CLERK, surprised at
his early appearance, inquired II he had
not rested comfortably, ne determined TO
confde IN him, with the hope OF obtaining
an explanation OF the mystery.
The clerk after hearing all the clrcum-
stances, evidently belleved that 1t was
i nothing but dream; but, TO satisfy my
trend, ne sent TO inquire II the SICK man
mad lett MS room during the nlght.
he received the POSITIVE assurance OF
both the watchers that he had rested very
| quietly and that such thing was lmpossl-
Die, as neither OF them had closed MS eyes
| Strong as this testimony undoubtedly
was, IL tailed TO shake my friend bellef
that some one had VISITED MS room. In the
hope OF setting his mind at rest, the clerk
suggested that he should SIT near the door
OF the breakfast room and inspect the faces
OF the guests to identity, II possible, the
intruder.