Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-09-23
Hu.I UsHAG Sisis @ % to CUKE Tobacco &C Habit

but the weather was rather "arm, anu,
there being another bed, Bob determined
TO occupy it. left my candle burning
and was just beginning to doze when the
door was opened, and hideous looking
old hag poked in her head. Her dlshev-
eled gray hair obscured some of her fea-
lures, but | could discern enough to con-
vince me that there was nothing earthly
about my midnight visitor. She walked
in and leaned one arm on the mantel.
and as she fixed her uncanny eyes on me
her features were really diabolical.
"By this time | was wide awake, but
was deprived of the power of voltlon. l
tried to knock on the wall or cry out for
Bob but my tongue seemed paraIyzed.
The hideous old creature, after fixing her
gaze on me awhile, walked toward the
| bed. and. with sepuchral laugh, she
leaned into the bed and lay down beside
| me.
AT this juncture | made herculean
attempt to rise. but my efforts were fruit
less. shut my eyes TO avert her horrl-
Bile face, but the next moment she had
her knees planted on my chest and her
bony fingers clasping my throat. and then
| knew no more. After recovering con-
sciousness | grasped my clothes and
dashed from the room.
when | reached Bobs door, l burst
into his room and threw myself across
his bed. He sat up in bed and regarded
me with astonishment and then asked,
! What is the matter" Come, Bob, l
said. come from this cursed house"
Why" interrogated the hard headed
Bob, and then l related my experience
of the night. MY dear boy, he said as
| concluded my narrative, it was that
hearty supper that caused the whole
trouble No, Bob, l answered, 1 was
wide awake and as cool as l am now.'
It's all nonsense persisted the philo-
sophical Bob. And to prove that no
peripatetie old female would go wander
ing about at this hour I'll sleep in your
he'd myself It's near O'Clock now and
some hours before daylight Don't leave
me. Bob l pleaded. 'Bahv was the
scornful answer Don't make calf of
yourselfn
1.-The incredulous Bob adjusted his
clothing with perfect nonchalance, and,
after arranging his toilet, he said, Well
I'm ready to receive your ancient lady
friend and left the room. | threw my
self across the bed in my clothes and
tried to sleep. J iell into a doze despite
NV previous terror and was asleep only
a short time when Bob burst into the
room, with livid features and trembling
in every limb. Say, Henderson, he
said hoarsely, what hellish jugglery are
they practicing on US here? What de
they mean by such trickery? | saw a
IL glance that poor Bob, despite his sci
cntific training. was thoroughly frighten
ed, and l dragged him from the haunted
house. for such it really was. Bob SPOKE
of upbrading the landlord for practicin,
tricks on tired travellers, but | pointed
out to him the uselessness of such
course.
Bob was very reticent about the mat
ter and stoutly maintained whenever h
smoke of il that il was a huge practica
joke Upon inquiry subsequently learn
ed that the house dated from Revolution
airy times and was owned originally by
yilIainous old crone. who used it as
hostelry My informant said it was
favorite pastime of this old beldame t
entice Continental soldiers into her tav
ern. and that they would never be seel
again."
When MIR. Henderson concluded his. III
teresting narrative, we all made an e1
fort to be cheerful. but our countenance
. showed conclusively that his story ha
. interfered with our nervous equanimity.-
Nou York News