Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-03-15
MTSCNLEkNJX.
THE MONrGoMERYsHIRE GHOST

In winter nights sit by the fire with good old aSs AMI
lot them tell these tales"
To town not far from Llanfyllin.
in Montgomeryshire, a supervisor Of
excise, named Thomas, was ordered
some weeks back to occupy the dis
trict of another supervisor, who had
been shifted to another station, as i,
usual with the servants Of the excise
department; and having a wife and
children, he proceeded first TO select
suitable house for his family. He had
never been N Wales before, and. con
scGucntly, he met with many incon-
vcnienccs. The only house vacant,
was large old mansion, which stood
in decay at the foot Of mountain -
and TO this, the supervisor was direct
cd, as the only habilablc place lhat
was not occupied. On The first view
Of so large n house, all notion Of be
coming tenant was abandoned but
as the place had mysterious curiosi-
ty about il, the mansion being large,
Tie garden being choked with weeds,
the steps leading to the doors moss.
grown, several of the windows being
broken, and the whole having an air
Of grandeur in neglect, he was prompt
cd TO make inquiries and an old man,
TO whom he was referred as being the
only owner as long as any neighbour
could remember, instantly offered to
let him the mansion al the small rent
Of five pounds year. The supcrvi-
sor did not want so large a house but
as he wished to send for his family,
and being obliged to put up with lodg-
ings in triilipg ale house, he thought
it was worth while TO 20 over the old
pile, and ascertain whether a few
rooms conld not be fitted up comfort
ably for his accommodation, while in
the discharge Of his duty there. The
lowncss oI the rent Of course operated
as all additional induccmcnt; and hav-
ing fixed upon four or five rooms up
stairs, he struck the bargain. got in a
few little things until his wife should
arrive with all the domestic equip
ments' Of a family, and forthwith wrote
of for her. The first night Of his so.
journment he lighted large fire to
dispcl the dampness. and having taken
his cup of eros, he laid down and en-
joyed an excellent nights rest. On
his rising in the morning, his first vis-
it was TO barber's shop in the town
in order TO get shaved, and there sew
eral persons inquired most earnestly
how he had slept; and when he dc.
clared that he had never enjoyed
better nights rest in his life, every
one seemed amazed. The mystery
was now dispelled, and his eyes were
opened by being informed the "Tee
Gwyn," or " White House." as the
mansion was called, had been haunted
for fifty years back. The supervisor
laughed at this notion, and avowed his
utter disbelief in ghosts. If ever he
had experienced little ticklishncss
in his nerves, the professional shrewd.
M SIS usually characteristic Of his call
ing, raised surmisc. that this same
lonely house might be very snug
spot for working an illicit still; and
accordingly, he determined not TO be
driven out of his new habitation until
he ascertaincd the fact. lie spent
the greater part Of the day in rum
maging the vaults and every hiding
place; bat without discovering any
thing 10 confirm his suspicious. As
night advanced, he threw an extra log
on the fire, and having borrowed a
chair in the town, he sat himsclfdown
before it, ate his bread and cheese,
and supped his cup amidst various ru-
limitations. AT one time he thought
his prospect rather dangerous in the
event Of his suspicious being trse,
there being no assistance at hand.--
He might have his throat cut from ear
to ear, and his body thrown into n tub;
while his wife and c,mly would be
none the wiser. Fears Of the living,
more than the dead, fitted in sudden
flashes across his brain, at length he
resolved, in case he heard any thing
going on, to remain as quiet as posi-
bic, and send all the information he
could to the heads Of his department.
He could see by his watch that it was
nearly twelve O'Clock but Natures
fond nurscc had forsaken him, and he
felt nc inclination to sleep.