The Litchfield County post. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1826-1829, 1827-08-30
From the 81. Louis Republican.
THE HAUNTED HOUSE.

A TALE--BY L. F.. LoRIMER. .,
About Is miles from st. Louis,on the Bon
homme road, is lonely spot known bv the
-aanan of tina g Haunted Hoaise >, Ear three
ton and the ruins Of chimney are the only
signs of its having once been tenanted. The
stranger might pass it without giving it an IN
quiring glance, or once dreaming that this is
the scene Of unearthly gambols.--But with
the rustic who knows its history, it is far 9th
erwise. No matter how often he may have
proved at log-rolling or corn-shucking, that
he is the best man in the settlement" if he is
compelled to pass the Haunted House after
night-fall, he is no longer a hero---his eye is
turned with fearful gaze to the dreadful
spot, and his heart leaps to his throat at the
rllstling of a leaf. rE.
The story of the Haunted House is simply
this. Several years ago, stranger, for rea-
sons which no one could fathom, selected this
dreary place for residence, and notwith-
standing it was the property of the United
States. built upon it large and neat cabin.
A small, Intended garden, was the only land
that he redeemed from the surrounding waste.
The substance of himself and wife was pro-
cured from the nearest farmers.
They had not resided here many months,
before he was visited by brother in deep
decline of health. Too i'll to labor, and too
moor to purchase otherwise, the care and at
| tentionh his case demanded, he has sought out
his elder brother. with the fond hope that,
under his roof, fraternal affection would soothe
! his pain, and rob his death-bed of half its
anguish.
For many weary mile he had pursued his
way through poverty and sickness; and when
| compelled to seek repose in some hospitable
cabin,he looked round upon its inmates, and
thanked Heaven that he too, would soon have
friends and a home. He found, indeed, the
house of his elder brother, but he found his
brother Tiger. Instead Of the kindness an
ticipated he received treatment, ut the bare
mention of which humanity would revolt.
Let relation of the last act Of unkindness
suffice the reader; In the depth Of winteI
they left him alone, and made visit forty OF
fifty miles distant, when he was too sick tt
administer to his wants or scarce leave hi
bed. They had been absent several days
when some people, on their way TO St. Louis
called at the house and found him out of fir,
and destitute Of food.--They provided hin
with wood, kindled a Gre, and from their owl
stock cooked him some victuals but he cOult
not eat. Next day his brother and slster-in
law returned. and found. as they expected
Il that the hand OF death was on him.
1 In the spring following, they left that par
of the country, and the house ever after stoo
tenantess.
Although no legal Investigations were made
the people around branded the treatment {
the deceased brother with the appalling nam
{ of murder.
j Three years after. man who was passin
one night. during thunder stotm, beheld tn
house in blaze. Whether it was consume
by lightning, or as many believe, by fires th
belong not to earth, is left for the decision
E others.
/, An incident occurred last summer, come
ted with the Haunted House, that shov
, how offensive is the empire of superstilio