Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1831-12-02
THE HAUNTED HOUSE,
BY L. z. LoRIMER.

BY L. 2. LoRIMER.
About fifteen miles from St Louis. on the
Bonhomme road, is a lonely spot known by the
name of the HAUNTED HOUSE Fer three
miles around, there is not a human habitation.
and the ruins of a chimney are the only signs
of its having once been tenanted. The stran-
ger might pass it without giving it an antigua
.ry glance, or once dreaming that this is the
scene of unearthly gambols. But with the
rustic who knows its history, it is far other
wise. No matter how often he may have pro-
we'd at a log rolling or corn husking, thar he
is best man in the settlement, if he is compel
led to pass the Haunted House after night fall,
he is no longer hero--his eye is turned with
a fearful gaze to the dreadful spot, and his
heart leaps to his throat at the rustic of leaf.
The story of the Haunted House. is simply
this. Several years ago, stranger. for rea-
sons no one could fathom. selected this dreary
place for a residence, and not withstanding il
was the property of the United States, built up
on it large and neat cabin. A small i'll tend
ed garden was all the ground that he redeemed
from the surrounding waste. The subsistence
of himself and wife was procured from the near.
est farmers
They had not resided here many months be.
fore he was visited by brother in deep de
poor to purchase otherwise the care and atten-
tion his case demanded. he had sought out his
brother, with the fond hope that, under his
root, 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 S, on 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, at the bare
mention of whichhumanity would revolt
Leta relation, of the last act of unkintlncs.
suffice the reader: In the depth of winter
they left him alone. and made visit 40 or Sc
miles distant, when he was too sick to admins.
ter to his wants or could scarcely leave his bed.
Jheyhad been absent several days, when some
people on their way to St. Louis. called at the
house, and found him without fire and des-
titute flood. They provided him with wood,
klndled fire, and from their own stock cooked
him some victuals; but he could not eat -
Next day his brother and sister-in law return
ed. and found, as they expected that the hand
OF death was upon him.
In the spring following. they left that par
OF the country, and the house ever after stood
renantless.
Although no legal investigations were made
the people around branded the treatment of tn
deceased brother with the appalling name O
murder.
Three years after, man who was passing
one night during thunder storm, beheld tn
house in blaze.-Wether it was consumed b.
lightning: or, as many believe, by fires that be
long not to earth, is left for the decision of 9th
ers.
An incident occurred last summer, connec
ted with the Haunted House, that shews tho,
extensive is the empire of superstition 4
Young gentlemano of the country, who had ofte
made merry with the tales of the spectre sal
! to haunt the place we have mentioned, starte
" one day in August to procure medical assist
tance for the family of neighbour. 1t wa
the middle of the afternoon when he reache
St. Louis. The physician promised after hay
ing called on two or three patients, to set ON
fresh horse and overtake him before he cache
the River DIES Peres. The Young man afte
leaving st. Louis, took wrong road, and sa,
night closing around him, black with comm
storm, as he struck into the Bonhomme road
mile from the river. The horse he rode wa
. high spirited animal, and dashed on repart
less Of fatigue, as if he understood the omir
Gus appearance of the Heavens. AS night ad
vancsd, the darkness seemed almost visible
Along the road there was no habitation to sen