The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-03-06
80. So H7- ~
szk. z..l.a s..i.n 49,

dClol, HdNlilS Sot an engagement III ''t'
Louis, made the journey there from New
York and 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 laughter apparently
from some one in room on the corridor
they were approaching.
The servent fastened to explain that it
was gentleman who had been drinking
too much and was suffering with delirium
tremens. Not relishing such neighbor
my friend hesitated about proceeding
farther; 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 voun-
teered to sit up with him. Charley con-
cluded to proceed.
1t was with much misgiving that he
deposited his valise on the small table in
the room, and prepared to take possession
Of his quarters. The wind was bowling
mournfuly 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 disrobing himself
and eXtinguishing the candle, he enjoyed
the luxury of the first stretch in AZ hours.
No one appreciates that luxury better
than he who has been confined in the
exasperating limits OF Il seat in Il railroad
car for two nights in succession.
He fell asleep almost instantly. How
long he remained so he could not tell; but
some time during the night he was awaken
ed by quick, sharp noise at his bedside
resembling the overthrow of piece of fur
nture, or the bursting open of door
see standing near him figure in white,
with glazing eyes and disheyeled hair,
apparently about to spring upon him. He
at once realized the situation. The victim
OF mania Il potu had escaped from his
watchers and obtained admission to his
room. The thought passed like lightning
through his brain, and his heart stood still
with alright. Almost as suddenly, how
ever, tne apparltloh 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 before
he succeeded in obtaining light When
its feeble glimmer penetrated the room, to
his astonishment it was empty.
Aiming himself with his cane, he COM
menced a 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 secrete
himself he drew a long breath, in the
assurance that he was the only occupant
At all events, there was no more sleep
for him that night. After dressing himself
he was about to 90 to the office Of the hotel
and apply for another room, when it
occurred to him that it would be rather
embarrassing to explain his reason for
demanding a change. And in the hope
that it was near morning, for he had no
watch, he wrapped the bedclothes around
him and sat in chair awaiting the break
of day The candle burned to its socket
before day dawned. Its first feeble glim
mer had hardly made its appearance when
he descended to the Office and awaited his
breakfast, with the determination of seek
ing other quarters afterward.
He had decided to say nothing of his
scare. But when the clerk, surprised at
his early appearances, inquired if he had
not rested comfortably, he determined to
coniide in him, with the hope of obtaining
an explanation of the mystery.
The clerk, after hearing all the circum
stances, evidently believed that it was
nothing but a dream; but to satisfy my
friend he sent to inquire if the sick man
had left his room during the night
He received the positive assurance of
both the watchers that he had rested very
quietly and that such thing was i'm
possible, as neither of them had closed his
eyes.
Strong as the testimony undoubtedly
was, it failed to shake my friends belief
that some one had visited his 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
foces of the guests to identity, if possible,
the intruder.
The arrangement was carried out, and
after the last guest had breakfasted my
friend was forced to believe that none of
them could have been the intruder, but the
impression yet remained that he could not
have been deceived.