The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1914-11-20
The Terror
OF Darkness
By SAMUEL E. BRANT

all arrant towards Children who fear
nothing by daylight are timid when
they can see nothing Women who
will spend day after day In a house
alone will look under he beds at night
for robbers. although at the time sur
rounded by their family.
"While travelling entered city one
evening where there was celebration
of some sort and was obliged to sleep
in the same room with some one else.
did not see the other fellow, nor did
he see me. There was a bed for each
of us. and he was in his bed before
went to the room. His face was
turned from me, and all could see of
him was a little bald spot on the back
of his head
II undressed. put my wallet, contain
ing a couple of hundred dollars, under
my pillow. turned or the light and
went to bed.
II am not an effeminate man or
coward by daylight. but | am free to
confess that the moment found my
self in dark room with strange
man an uneasiness crept over me that
| was ashamed of. tried to think of
the olden times. when taverns were
small affairs and one might be thank
full If he could get half of bed With
a stranger instead of a whole one to
himself even in the same room. Imag-
nation began to work upon me, and IL
was not long before | had a picture
before me of my roommate standing
over me with long knife in one hand
raised to drive into me, while the 9th
er was thrust under my pillow in
search of my wallet
81 could not sleep. My throat was
dry. and wished for a drink of wa
ter feared that If arose to get one
my roommate might fear that l was
getting up for some hostile design
against him. was as much afraid of
his fears as l was of him. However.
the night was as hot as my throat. and.
slipping out of bed quietly, CROPPED
toward what supposed to be the
washstand.
what was my horror at putting my
hand on hair, not only on hair, but the
bald spot of mans head that it sur
rounded. withdrew it Immediately
and retreated on tiptoe. But since
could see nothing had no idea where
was going. kept my two hands ex-
tended before me, and the flrst thing
struck was some glass article with
In ION M hot
tom. It fell and with the usual crash
made by breaking glass
II heard nothing from my roommate,
but fancied that he was doing just
what I would do under the circum-
stances-that ia. he had grasped what
ever defensive weapon he had and was
prepared to defend himself to the
death. l stood horror stricken after
knocking over the glassware, my heart
beating like kettledrum. l listened,
but heard no sound. felt spse that
I had awakened my roommate by put
ting my hand on his head and that he
was keeping perfectly still SO as not to
reveal himself. Had heard any move
ment would have felt easier.
sClicki
WAS It the cooking OF revolver or
one Of those sounds that come rom
cracking caused by expansion under
Seat7 I did not know, but under en-
itement felt sure 1t was the former.
A cooked pistol was undoubtedly point
ed out into the darkness. 1t made
matters worse, for now | would not
dare strike a match even II / could
find one.
II stood still for what was probably
minute. though it seemed to ne a
quarter of an hour. Then. touching
the wall. concluded to try to find my
bed that l might possess myself of my
money. But ! did not know which
way to move. If l went wrong |
might stumble over the bed of my
roommate. In the dark a sense of di-
rection leaves US. was obliged to
take a frightful risk. but it was no
worse than suspense. felt my way.
making no sound In my bare feet un-
ill a board in the floor creaked under
my tread.
my heart stood still, and so did l.
Then remembered that sound
alone does not give direction. end I
grew bolder Passing my hand along
the wall, came to the door frame.
Now had my bearings. l remember
ed that my bed was beside the door.
and in another moment reached It.
Possessing myself OF my money. I
stood considering what to do. had
no match with which to strike Fight
and would not dare use II II bad one
| concluded to take advantage OF be-
ing near the door and get out Of the
room even at the risk OF being shot
with my valuables In one hand !
unlocked the door with the other; then.
opening IL quickly. slipped out into
lighted hall. Finding a speaking tube
handy. asked the night clerk to come
TO me and gave him the situation. Not
having been worked upon by the dark
ms had been. he bravely opened the
door OF the room had left. went In
and lighted the gas. followed him.
There in the other fellows bed was
the bald spot | had seen turned to-
..tar..l s.n4 Vpho olarlr mani ~ IN fhs.