Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-02-28

Spite OF MY first resolve, however
the next night saw the box out OF the
chest and under the study lamp again:
and from that time to the end could
not get the idea out of my mind that
the box was alive. There was that
about il which irresistibly drew toward
1t my attention. my thought. aye. my
very being.
felt that | should no: be able TO
hoid out. The strain was becoming
more than could bear How | did
mold ont until the 2lst day of March.
when | opened the box. do not know.
| had now given up lectures wholly.
and my assistant was filing my place
| had aged frightfully since the begin
ring of the year. In my COS | had Of
ten been complimented as looking TO
be under so; but now my full age had
come suddenly upon me. and more
From freshness and vigor | had sunk
rapidly into decrepitude.
AS | have said, the bronze box had
come to be seemingly endowed with
] life. and rs the days dragged along
that impression fastened itself upon
me more and more strongly. Was
mad. | asked myself? No. no; knew
| was sane yet; but how much longer
would | be able to bear the terrible
strain? Could | fight through the few
| remaining days to the end? No: | felt
| in my soul that | could not.
Never can | forget that fatal 21st:
never could forget it though | should
live a thousand years. In the after
noon forced myself to a walk abroad.
On my return | looked around the
room in a startled way. Surely some
one was there. But no: there was no
one. II was only my imagination. only
hat strange hallucination of which I
have made mention but now felt with
fore. No sooner had lighted the
lamp than | brought forth the bronze
box and seated myself with it at the ia
BILE
The box was alive The conviction
grew upon me so strongly that | be-
lieved il in spite of all reason. Some
thing. aye. somebody. was in it. Some
one within was calling to me. calling
loud and piteously urging me to open
the box. TO open it now.
Dropping the accursed thing at last.
| ran 20 the window. threw It open.
and leaned out. trying to calm myself
by fixing my gaze upon the peaceful
river. which my room overhung: but
could not. | could not. Pressure was
upon me TO open the box. and open it
/ must. or die.
Back TO the table | went and took
the box up again. looking for some
thing with which to break the seal
There was nothing at hand. | had
purposely put everything out of reach
lest in a moment of weakness | might
give way 10 temptation. But this was
not a moment of weakness; no. no.
was no longer trying TO resist my own
inclination simply. but was refusing
the imperative command of another as
we'll | could refuse no longer.
sprang to the chest and began to fling
out the books. At the bottom were
tools which | had provided in antici-
patton of this hour. at the very bot
tom. so that | would have plenty of
time 10 reflect upon my action ere
could get at them. But reflection was
past now: decision had been made.
flung the books this way and that.
cursing the folly that had led me TO
put the tools in such place. and while
so engaged | came suddenly upon a
mouse. sprung up. for the moment
frightened-a proof of the state my
enrves were in. But il was only mo-
mentary. At last | laid hands upon
the tools sought. and ran back TO
the table TO attack the seal; but in
the same moment | stopped. The last
words OF the inscription caught my
eye-"Curst be he whose shall do other
than here is written"
File and pincers fell from my hands
and perspiration bathed my face What
was | about TO do? Here it was II days
before the appointed time. and | was
about TO open the box. | must stop
must resist. But that cry from within
the box. that terrible. that awful cry.
| paced the floor. holding my hands
over nv ears as if could shut il out
as if | could close the ears of the spirit
against it, What could | do-what
| could | do?
One of the books out of the chest
lay in my way. and kicked it. driving
the ancient volume across the room.
scattering its leaves. To and fro
paced. rapidly. nervously till of a sud-
| len discovery burst upon me. This
was the final day, | marveled that it
had never occurred to me before. but
il had escaped my mind till that mo-
ment. when the words. According TO
the Julian manner of computing"
which | saw in large print on leaf
Of the old book. caused ii TO burst upon
lie like an inspiration. | had forgot
Ten the change in the modern calendar
The bronze box. having been sealed
on the first day of April. 1889. to be
opened just 500 years to day from
that time. was due 10 be opened on
that 21st day of March.
How my heart leaped. Now the
curse was lifted-now | was free, free
to proceed TO the solving of the mys-
terry which had for so long tortured
me- How trembled, Eleven whole
days swept away in a single moment.
as though by a miracle. 1t was truly
wonderful,
Once more I took up the tools. but
something further in the inscription
| forced itself uDon mg notice and