The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-01-13

crick street, Reuben walking upon the op-
posite side of the road from me, and car
rying a small dark lantern and 4 bundle of
keys, with which he intended to force open
the door Of the vault.
80 far we had met no one, the night
being bitter cold and this part of the town
being sparsely populated. Twas congratu-
lating myself upon the absence of the peo-
pie from the street, when | espied the
lantern Of a watchman. who was standing
close in the shadow of frame shed, just
opposite the Brick Fields. | was well
mutiled up and so trusted to escape recog-
milton. When | got abreast of the man |
recognized him as constable by the name
of Ben CULLEN. He held his light up
waist high as | passed, and gave me
a good night, which | returned in as
gruff a voice as | could assume. was
certain he did not know who was or he
would have addressed me by my title, he
and | being acquainted
u had intended entering the cemetery
from the Frederick street side, but fearing
that the constable might become suspic-
ious. | now determined to enter from the
Market street entrance.
Calling Reuben, | made him acquaiut-
ed with my change Of plain, and together
We pushed our way though the deep brush
that lined the road back of the Phoenix
Hills and made our way to the Market
street entrance. Quickly scaling the high
picket fence we lighted the lantern and
proceeded to grope our way through the
dark labyrinths Of the graveyard. Arriv-
jn- at the door Of the vault we had but
l,r.e difficulty in forcing it open, and as
the door swung silently back on its hinges,
showing a dungeon-hke darkness, the bell
at the cottage tolled forth the midnight
hour
Quickly lighting the lantern stepped
into tho yauited chamber, followed by
Reuben, who, bringing the light TO bear
upon the several caskets that were arranged
in tier Ike order around the place, | soon
singled out the one containing the body Of
Miss H. Setting the lantern down
upon the floor | grasped the coffin by the
end. and slowly began to draw it forth
from its resting place. Reuben, now came
e. my assistance, aad together We began to
deposit car burden on the floor. We had
nearly succeeded in doing 50 when we es-
pied al.-ht coming from the Frederick street
side Of the cemetery. Reuben was so
frightened by this unlocked for intrusion,
.ha, BE- hu5rieily le, soof The coffin, caus
ing II to come down on the hard stone floor
wi,h A rysaundiB- crash No sooner had
.his n,curry,i than there was 4 sound of
hurryInc footsteps, accompanied by men
ha.l9win. far thc watch. Reuben dropped
the tRo screw drivers and took to his heel,
far dear life, 5la,ely followed By iwo men,
one 81 whom | recognized ay the watchman
and the other | supposed was the sexton.
Realizing the fu.ility Of an attempt to
escarc. | .eoily drew the door Of the vault
shut and coucealiuE myself As best As |
o1ald, snxiously awaited developments
Pretty sa7a | heard Reubens pursuers
returning. and | felt relieved 1t their un.
successful atismp, 4, his capture They
came up ta the door Of the vault and shook
1t o. sye IL it vas locked. The sexton at
the meantime found the screw driver,
vb!eh the negro had dropped, and 50 con
sluie,i ,hat only an unsuccessful attempt
bad bcya made % pry open the door.
Seemingly satisfied at this conclusion, the
aea ,ock their way onward through the
cemetery, leaving me prisoner and prey
20 some very distressing emotions
After waiting a half hour or more IN
silence. cautiously tired to open the door
by means of the KEYS carried. | used key
after key. and found to ms horror that the
door refused 90 Weld Here indeed was a
preliyamcu; for a respectable physician to
be placed ia. Ms Imagination pictured to
me the anuaxement Of the townspeople when
/ should be found in my peculiar prison
next morning. but aside from this my po-
sition was anything but pleasant, not that
was in any way superstltious, still there
vas something terrifying in the awe Ike
stiffness Of the graveyard.
Il at down on one end Of the coffin
aud triel 10 think Of some way to open the
dogr. but Try as might could think Of
no likely way To accomplish my object,
How long remained seated upon the
cofFn do not remember, for | must have
fallen into a doze, from which awakened
with an awful feeling Of terror. | spraug
10 nv feet aud grasped the bars Of the
vault door. and tried to wrench them from
their sockets. shouted for help at the top
Of nv voice. beat upon the iron door until
my hands bled. | tore my hair in the
very frenzy Of my excitement, but all to
no avail.
And now | noticed that everything
abou, me had undergone a complete change.
The cemetery itself appeared different, and
while | watched | saw ghoStly figures fit
ting about the graveyard. | screamed in
terror at this new sight and was greeted
with demoniacal laugh from directly be-
hind me. Quickly turning in alright |
beheld a grinning skeleton-like figure just
arisin. out Of dark worm eaten old coffin
One hand was raised in supporting the
coffin lid. while the rest of the body was
in reclining position, and as | stared hor
ror stricken at this dreadful apparition it
slowly raised its other hand and solemnly
shook its srisly foretinger at me three times.
This was repeated three times in success
sion. at the end of which the figure began
TO slowly arise out of the coffin. At the
same time it began to deliberately stretch
forth its long horrible arm in an effort to
touch me. Ishrieked with terror as | re-
treated to the fartherest corner of the
vaulted chamber. And now | saw a long
ghostly procession approaching up the path
which led to the vault. stood as one
transfxed as this singular sight presented
itself to nv frightened vision. As they
came forward | heard them chanting in
low weird tones. | saw that they were
all dressed in shroud clothes and an earthly
like smell became apparent as they drew
nearer to me.
sInow saw that as the procession moved,
graves opened all about, and more shroud-
covered figures joined it.
II was in a state of utter collapse
from excessive fright, and could neither