Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-02-02
For the wheeling 1ntelligencer.
The Haunted Room.
ny ALBERTA WILLIAMS.

stage coach stopped at my uhcleS uoOIt anu u
leiad to escape from its close limits, sprang
lightly out, and bounded up the broad steps of
the piazza. was warmly greeted by my rela-
tiycs. and led into the house. 1t was the first
time had been there since cousin Ellen's death,
and noticed a shadow had passed over the
brows of the family since had last seen them.'
Only three of my cousins were at home; the
rest having left the paternal roof to try hIe's
great lottery for themselves.
Mary and Lillian were both grown up. Ag-
mes. the youngest, was about ten years of age,
and the pet of the household.
Mary was strange girl, always melancholy
and sad; never joining in any amusement what
ever, and after her sister died, was more so than
ever. She thought she would mt live long, and
I even thought so myself, if she did not try to
rouse herself from the stupOr into which she
had fallen.
The afternoon passed pleasantly away. We
had visited every familiar spot; till at last, wea-
ried with our ramblings, seated ourselves in
the little front room, to talk over anything and
everything, that had transpIred since we had
last met
"Do you know, cousin Edith, that Ellen died
in this roOm?" Agnes inquired, during pause
in our conversation. well she did, and the room
has been haunted ever SINCE" she added with
out awaiting my reply. 81 would not sleep in
this room for money. Every few nights we
hear something in here, and such groans, and
heart-rending cries, it makes ones blood run
cold. We have seen it, too; something white
glides about the room; o. tits frightul"
During this recital, the other girls sat silent;
Mary, pale and trembling
81 am going TO sleep here and catch the
ghost" l said, as l thought of the novelty of
the thing. g have often wished to see one, but
have never had the chance yet and now Lillian,
if you will sleep with me, will try my luck"
Lillian objected; she did not SEE any use in
throwing ones self in the way of danger; it
was enough for her to hear, without seeing.
pursuaded, and entreated, and at last she con-
scented. The subject then dropped, and
soon forgot all about the ghost
After tea, we had long talk about the haun-
ted room; uncle spoke so serious, that was
awe.stricker. and had it not been for my banter
ing Lillian so, and telling her she a coward,
1 would gladly have given VI, the intention to
spend night, u ,ohoLe night in such place; but
I
consequences be what they might; and after
little further pleading with Lillian, we retired to
thereon. Its appearance was well calculated
to unnerve a tinIid person. saw that Lillian
/ regretted the step she had taken, but 1 was de-
ermined.
| It was sometime before slumber visited me,
but when did once get to sleep, slept soundIy.
1t was broad day before Iagain awoke All that
day laughed with the girls about the ghost,
till Lillian asked me to try it again, to which
readily consented. The second day passed even
with more pleasure than the first aud began
to look forward with regret to the time when
would have to leave them.
We retired earlier that evening than the night
before, and were soon unconscious of everything
around 1t was midnight when was
kencd by something opening the door. must
confess, felt as though | would like to be al
most any place else than there.
The room was dark but I could distinctly
hear the footsteps of some one approaching the
bed, and as it came nearer, saw slender fig
ure arrayed in white / tried to awaken Lillian,
but could not move or speak The figure
reached the bed aud then it gave such an
earthly grOan, scarcely knew where was
then came succession of cries and screams
1t ran round the room and threw its white arms
aloft; as though suffering the most intense an
guish. All. Mt once, the figure suddenly disap-
peared, the cries ceased, and all was again still
now for the first time, could move; l placed
my hand ON Lian-She shook like leaf, aud
half speaking, half whispering, she said:
"Ol Filth, take me away. Strike light
and let US leave the room at once"
persuaded her to remain, however; in fact,
1 was too much frightened myself to move. We
did not sleep any moro that night and arose at
the first dawn.
The events of the night made me feel. rather
serious that day, but before night had deter
mined to try it again. il could get company.
Lillian positively refused, and when asked
Mary she only shook her head, and noticed she
turned very pale Agnes ran away, as soon as
mentioned it to her, so 1 turned to Lillian
again. / told her, would leave the light burn
ing, and see what it really was and promised
her, if she would granting request, would
rise and give chase to the ghost, and see where
it kept itself; for in daylight, and out of dan
ger, felt very courageous. I, at last, got her
consent. As we were about to retire, uncle told
us we had better not attempt it again, it might
have serious effect. l had to plead awhile
with him, but at last, he told us to go ii. we
wished to. weIeft the light burning, and soon
went to sleep. 1 could not have been asleep
more than two hours, when awoke and could
not, in spite of all my efforts. go to sleep again.
Alter awhile heard light step in the hall,
IL turned and awOke LiIian,-the footsteps
came nearer aud nearer, until they reached the
door, then there was fnmbling about the latch,
and the door opened. o! horrors! in glided