Litchfield enquirer., 1838-09-27
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
THE HAUNTED HOUSE.
FOUNDED ON PACT.

FOUNDED ON FACT.
II was In those days Of ignorance when witches
rode upon hypognffs, and ghosts did squeak and
gbber in the Streets, that there stood in the village
Of s., an old house, such a one as yO, would
find in almost every village at the corner OF dirty
lane, or standing in some lone spot apart from any
other building. This house, il house you could call it,
stood on small knoll about quarter Of mile from
the village steepe-and century had worn off clap.
boards, knocked down chimneys in it's own slow but
sure way, till there was hardly half Of it left The
windows were minus half of their glass-broken out
by the school boys with those missiles which nature
has 90 plentifuly provided-then go and boast to
their companions their daring feat Thistes nettles,
and weeds. which would defy even Lnngus to clas-
sify, grew more thrifty there than any where else,
which was great wonder to the good villagers who
supposed and even averred that they had seen awful
sights through the windows. And perchance-if an
unlucky ;sriping came and passed this wonder in
the sable night" his legs would Ely as fast as the
vanes Of windmill until he got Ear from the reach Of
gobins enclosed therein, and even the boldest men
TO walk faster in front Of this building than
any other spot in the village uness was in the tread
ing mill. The worthy inhabitants had often begged
Sh0 Wv ~ Sato ucut tCdNG uOWHS Oe
resisted all their efforts and the "old concern as
the villagers called it, yet to be an object OF
dread. Some Of them even called secret council to
pull it down without leave Of the owner; but they
came to the conclusion that they did the deed in the
day time it would put the community in arms-and
at night they dare not one 60 up to the gate fF
Now in the village there were but two families who
we're firm dsbelievers in ghosts. Deacon s.,
who had three boys; and widow B, had one
hoy who was taught like the Deacons boys TO be dis
believers in witchcra; and by the good people were
thought little lees than heretics In tho evening oil
these boys were passing along, and when they came
ia front Of the "haunted house," says the widows
boy TO one Of the Deacon's in an under tone
Here. Jack, you dare not go in the old concern"
dare not said he-and without waiting for re-
Ger, and soon was within the walls Of the building
He soon came out, when the widows son anxiously
Inquired ys 4. h 18th. ..g..,..,.a ~, e,.s. IT,.
Did you see nothing there (the widows boy had
hoard uch OF the sights seen there. and was partial
ly convinced Of the reality Of snch sights1 Poh!
said Jack" in answer to his companions question;
" its all within. come 60 in, well al go with you."
After much persuasion, he and the deacon's boys
went inland inside entered into plan to make the
people wonder, and then departed. Having waited pa
enty till the next evening, they repaired to the field
Of battle, viz near the old house. The deacons boys
first deposited their load, consisting Of pumpkin cut
out like face, known to all Yankees by the name Of
pumpkin moOnshine, y aud dresses for skeleton
The widows boy had squibs and gunpowder. See
ing man coming along the road. they commenced
operations; they went in at back door. lit candle,
deposited 10 the pumpkin and putt in the window.
The man who was just passing perceiving the umin-
physiognomy before him. fed In terror to the vii
lage Ills report soon brought nearly oil the inhabit
ants to tho spot-eaving guard to protect the fe-
males. They gazed in stupid wonder at the pump
kin ill it began to wane and when it went out Tor
vanished) half dozen squihs in successive report
which frighted them 30 that half Of them few as f ON
wings. The owner Of the building then spoke
"A guinea to the one that will enter" Another
another whispered half q dozen voices in success
sion Not man stirred. A fash Of powder-whch
exhibited skeleton Of frghtful appearance, set oil
their heels to trialnor did they stop until arrived
safe home. and were soon snugy in bed, dreaming Of
ghosts, &c. sc. So deeply impressed were the
scenes Of the night on their imagination. Not 30 was
Cuec O Wc UOyr-"Jacy uGputhCu AosAsC VAyoy
ed the sweetest sleep that they did before. In
the morning they went TO the parishby their parents
advice. and unravelled the whole to him-who laugh
ed heartily at the joke and it soon al over town.
The people said it was good trick" and even now,
when they tell the story Of the haunted house,, it
ends with laugh at the bOldness Of the boy who re-
moved the SPELL se, PEQUIRK.
q ID II. - r.. IL.
ed himself candidate for Governor Of Tennessee at
the ensuing August election. and Gen. Carroll has de-
clined in his favor. Mr.. Polk feared that he might
not be returned To the next Congress- and felt certain
that. even il he returned his party would be in mi
noriiy in the House, and he could not be reelected
Speaker. ,f -. t.....t.... ....,.-.aa
Fire at FishkM Landing Tho Newburgh Journal
of Saturday gives the following particulars in relation
to the late iire near Fshkil Landing: The whole loss
10 estimated at $4,000. Mesers. Poynter & Stand
ish rented the shop Of Mr. Bynes, and have lost the
whole Of their valuable stock OF tools and machinery,
amounting 10 $1,000 Byrnes & Nswland's loss
$4,000. Grain owned by merchants in New York,
S5OVO. Many families have been thrown out Of en-
ploymsnt. who were dependent on their daily labor
for support. Tx ...-. ,.....-.. ....r
An amnSlng lncadent happened ~ OaPuSIn "o'
long since, which il worth relating. The ceremony
had been administered to oil the candidates except
one. who was butcher and while The clergyman
was IN the act Of imniersng him. large Newfound-
land dog belonging % thetomer. dashed into the wa
ter and seising his master BY the clothes. dragged
him ashore IN spite Of his struggles and the resistance
Of the ass6uahed inisser Having safely landed his
owner, the dog testified his Joy in way usual with
dogs occasionally casing an angry look, accompa-
med by grow nj the discounted minister. whom he
doubtless thought had siniser design against his