Strange Visitors | Page 8

name, In deeds fraternal saw some
monster crime; To her base level sought my heart to tame, Made mock
of each aspiring thought sublime, And sought to bury me beneath the

slime Of her imaginings. All--all are gone Who could defend me. From
the grave of time I am unearth'd--by sland'rous miscreants torn, And
rise to feel again the ills I once have borne.
IV.
Is this a Christian deed, to flaunt a vice, And with another's failings gild
your own? To hearken to the whisperings and device Of old age, selfish,
to suspicion grown? To misconstrue each friendly look--each tone--
And out of natural love create vile lust? Must brother's heart his very
kin disown, While rudest hand disturbs her mouldering dust? Is this a
Christian deed? Shall mankind call it just?
V.
But let that pass. I hear a nation's voice Raised to defend the absent,
wronged child; My hopes and aims were high, albeit my choice Was
fixed on one who felt not for my wild And wayward nature; one who
never smiled On imperfection. From my home of light Unscathed, I see
life's blackening billows piled, Ready to sweep the daring soul from
sight, Sinking his name and memory in darkest night.
VI.
I rise again above the woes of earth, Like unchained bird, seeking my
native air. Men seldom see their fellow-creatures' worth, But blot sweet
nature's page, however fair. Away, my soul, and seek thy nobler state,
Where loving angels breathe their softest prayer, Where sweetest
seraphs for thy coming wait, And ne'er suspicion's breath can pass the
Golden Gate.

NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.
APPARITIONS.
Returning one evening from a visit to a friend on earth, I was impelled
to take a route with which I was unfamiliar. It led me far beyond the
habitations of the city, into an open country whose surface was

diversified by sloping hills and broad valleys.
The sun was quite low in the horizon, and dark purple clouds, gathering
in the west, indicated an approaching storm. Anxious to reach my
spirit-home before such an event, I was nevertheless compelled to keep
within the earth's atmosphere.
The aspect of the country became more uneven as I advanced, and the
disappearing sun threw out the hills in cold blue relief against the
evening sky. One peak to the northward stood high and isolated from
the surrounding hills, and was crowned by a spacious dwelling house;
the high peaked roof and dark gloomy color of its exterior comported
strangely with the landscape.
To this building an unseen influence drew me. As I approached nearer I
discovered the figure of a man walking with restless step upon the
piazza which surrounded the dwelling. At times he would suspend his
walk, and crouch, shuddering as with fear, against the shadowed
balustrade. His face was of ashy paleness, and his hair, black as night,
fell in neglected masses around his head. His eyes were bright and
glassy, and their expression frightful to look upon.
Unconscious of my proximity, he arose from his crouching position,
stood for a moment irresolute, and then walked up to the heavy oaken,
door and knocked.
Presently the door was opened by a lady; she looked out, but could see
no one. "It must have been the wind," said she, shuddering slightly, and
drawing her shawl closely around her, was about to close the door. But
before she could accomplish her purpose the unseen guest had entered,
with myself following closely behind, hoping to give comfort where it
appeared most sorely needed.
Up a broad staircase he ascended and at a chamber door he
paused--then entered. I followed. His presence seemed to cause the
very furniture to shake and rattle.
"Here," thought I, "I will solve the enigma. Here, without doubt, has

occurred some grand disturbance of nature. The walls of this apartment,
its casements, its decorations, have been witness to some fell crime.
The spectre of evil impresses itself upon matter."
While reflecting upon this wonderful law, which all my life I had
perceived dimly, I observed with care the evidently unhappy man. A
bedstead of rich workmanship occupied one side of the apartment.
Rushing toward it he burst forth in a cry of frenzy, swaying his hands
fearfully and ejaculating and groaning in most piteous accents.
At this juncture steps were heard outside ascending the stairs, and
several members of the household entered, bearing lights. They looked
about the room, at first timidly; then, gathering courage, peered under
the bed, opened closets, and scrutinized every nook and corner of the
apartment. Foiled in their efforts to discover the inmate they turned to
each other with amazement.
"I am positive the sounds came from this room," said one. "There is no
one to be seen here," replied another; "what can it mean?"
The