Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-05-21
GHoIcg LlTgRATuRg.
HOW COURTED L UL U
TABLEAUX ".
THE HAUNTED cHAUNBBR.

THE HAUNTED CHAONBEh
alt certainly is haunted" said Jack, with
al look of genuine horror, sand you couldn't
get me to sleep in it, can tell you"
We were all sitting round the pleasant
fire of sticks, which the cocl October even
ing made far from unpleasant, and the con
yersation had turned upon the subject Of
ghosts-from which it glided naturally to
the haunted chamber belonging to Bel
leair, as to all country houses.
&c 1t certainly is-there's no doubt about
it." for aunt Louisa said she had seen
strange sights there-more than she would
talk about"
"Nonsense Y" said aunt Wimple, knit
ting busily, and, ever and anon, smiling at
the chatter of the young people
"I certainly have heard it before, aunt"
said Rose, demurely.
"I wish some kinds of ghosts haunted
it, said Jack, directing killing ogle to-
wards Rose; {" / wouldn be afraid of ii,
then"
This sally occasioned much amusement
but very soon, the conversation grew grave
again, and returned, as by sort of fascin-
alton, to the haunted chamber.
"Of course, do not belive in ghosts,
said Lulu, "but ce. tainly, strange things
have been told about our ancestors appear
ing there again, at dead Of night. | trust
l shall never see them-I like them much
better in their frames"
so do l." said Jack, "and I'm going
to keep away from your room, Mr. Fitzar
thur You know that is the chamber"
For the first time in my life, | observed
disconnected expression upon Fitzarthurs
eloquently serene couutenance, and the
cav !-now-really? ?" with u hich he re-
ceived Jacks observation, was not so bland
" Indifferent as usual The fact was, as
| had afterwards reason to know, EitZar-
thurs single weak point was fear If ghosts.
Whether his nurse had instilled ii into his
.mind-for, strange as it paay seem, even
Fi,zarthur had Leen baby--or whether it
was natural idiosyncrasy, do not know.
But, certainly, Fitzarthur's popularity was
fear Of ghosts You know the great doc
tor johnson believed in them, and Lord
Lyttleton saw one in the shade of pigeon !;
so Fitzarihur had agreeable society in bis
peculiar views To his CAV really %
Jack replied
Yes sir! It's your chamber, Mr.. Fit
zarthur, and there's no doubt that grandma
and the old fellows up there have haHuted
that chamber. don't say they do, now,
though aunt Louisa says so but they haze
walked there. Aunt Louisa says, one night,
about twelve o'clock, when every body had
gone to bed, and the house was quiet, she
went in there to get some towels for next
morning-and what do you think she saw?"
Fitzarthur's wide-extended eyes were fix
ed upon the boys face.
"She saw grandpa, dressed in his old
time clothes, just as he looks yonder-with
his cooked hat and powder, and long waist
coat, and ruffies-she saw him standing be.
fore the fireplace, with his hand in his
t breast-see up there and looking hel
e through and through, as she stared at him
She had no power to move, and the figure
: advanced toward her without making any
; noise in walking, though he had on fairtoI
o. boots-advaneed straight toward her, frow
g 3 ming, as if he intended to run her througl
with bis short sword y
! And-aw-What happened 7" falteret
= Fitzarthur, losing all self-possession.
: "Why, cold sort of air, which cam
e from him, blew out her candle, and she ba
: just strength enough left to close the doc
ID and totter away She did not get over
n, for year, and you can't get her to ente
S, that room again, to save your life"
is The company, somehow, did not seen
is disposed to laugh the boys face, as he re
re lated the story, was too scared and solem
not TO infect TIE rest with his own fright.
"Then, grandma has been seen there
too" continued Jack, in a low tone, addrei
sing himself to the affrighted Fitzarthu'
he "She came in, gliding alone, one nigh
Of when somebody slept there, dressed in he
old dress yonder, all lace and satin and wit
me her curls piled up in that very same way
ht, 1t was about twelve o'clok, and the perso
Die who saw her, says she looked as pale a
,oa on death, and broug ght cold air with her,
n if she came from the grave. She sat dow
no at the table; on which there vas quire 9
IN, paper, and pen and ink, and seemed to b
he writing. Then she rose again, locke
no. round, heaved deep sigh, and slowly glid
'or ed from the room. The person that sa'
S Su her went away next day, and didn't te
,nd nd about it for a year. 1t was thought ther
up was something left out in her will, tn;
he made her uneasy in her grave"
ou The company remained, for ten minute
led profoundly silent, after this narration, an
lto then all began to talk at once, and laug
his his heartily, as though to prove how slight ;
er- impression such absurd nonsense had prod