The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1853-03-26
For The Cecil Wig.
The Region of lEauntcd Houses.
Nh

NO.2.
| The great haunt which I have mentioned
stands on the eastern side of Back Creek, anc
very near its source. 1t is a ''housc" now near
lv deserted. but ouce beautiful. The architec
tural designs are magnificent and indicate me.
chanicai genius OF no common kind. The cor
niccs, decorations of the walls, walnscols, cell
ings, all speak of "perfec design ant
superb taste; while the plan of the grounds adj
joining and the site OF the dwelling. seem tc
comporl with mind Of gloomy cast and ideas
of peculiar character. The dark frownne
rocks 10 the north contrast strangely and gloom,
lily with deep impenelrabe morass which
forms the southern boundary, and the wild
supernatural appearance OF the iacen, woods
makes the beholder feel s'certan kind Of
rcverenlial awe" while gazing on these vesti-
! ges Of what once was beautiful.
! The legends told concerning it, are at once
interesting and horrible, and like all sicoends
of old houses,' abound in supernatural desrrir-
tons of srrital beings, and marvellous instances
of human (.rocily and wick edncss. The slight.
| est resemblance oftruth'' does not appear in any
of them, We, III" Super5,ilous portion of tho
community around "a goodly portion too.) just
as firmly 5elieve that ::thc old Pond House" is
labitaiou OF ''dsemGodied spirits" as that
they themselves exist. These legends multiply
yearly, and as each succeeding day passes the
haunted house becomes more terrble-the
spirit inhabitants, more formidable. These
stories of "our foreiathers'' were once dying
away but in latlcr-days they have partakcn more
Of the real Than the ideal. and enlightened men.
not only give them crcdcnce, but as rcligousIy
believe that spirits Of good and evil exercise
influence over men, as they DO the doctrines of
the bible. Surely this is an ngc ofdeeeneracy.
The popular superstition did not deter me
from once making visit to this house. 1t was
in the summer time, and in the stiffness ola
on the ''deep empowering wooI'' and moraSs.
silence rested. Not breath OF wind disturbed
the forest leaves, and the murmur of the dis
tani waterfall seemed like the voices otinvisihle
j
wild bee lowered DER the flowers and from
thence drew luscious sweets. All things denol-
ed rest and quiet. and as lay upon the green
and messy sward, and cazcd upon the relies of
this ancient fabric. instlncivcly my thoughts
wandered back to its PALMER hours. and mem.
DRY. ever faithful, brought before my mind the
many legends concerning it. The story of the
lady who murdered her child, and then threw
herself into the stream from sheer madness and
tie popular notion oil spirit wandering an out
cast on the cath because Of the inlanticiIc; the
horrible legend of .'lhe murdered brother"
who was slain by a patrIcide, and his body
buried under the mansion; of the spots Of blood
which stained nc1l;,cably the floor OF the east
cru chamber, where the igltiu deed was com
mi,,ed. "The knsman's revengc,' legend
which is often told, and is in itself incredible
Al these came crowding tunnltuously into my
mind and all as quickly passed away, and when
they were all gone, in dream, heard the true
story OF ''the haunted house." saw the real
scenes enacted and the airy vision of this
beautiful and secluded spot, as it was. passed
before me. retained enough Of that waking
dream, to make Il history more plausible than
any yet related.
That history will be told in the following le-
gend. and fortunately 'or thee, reader-pl obably
ncredulous-o this incredible yet true version,
have condensed, the story into as small a space
as possible. But lest it should be deemed that
| claim more credit than deserve, and that this
legend is "creation of fancy" will relate it
as heard it and in the very language of the
immortal who told it to me; so reader, il the
legend prove not readable, attribute it to your
lack Of marvellous credcnce. and not 10 the
authors fault, for the versions true:
Legend OftIae Haunted Blouse.
"lt is strange thing 10 reflect upon that |,
once happy and youthful; once gay and joyous,
am now what AIN. 1t is thrilling thought.
4 sweet consolation tina, | once roamed free and
careless, through these grounds, and it is ter
IL. Il - q