The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-02-24
sw 81 .G
NUMBER %.

but that wouldn't be half so charming as to be in
house where Washington has slept Think of il Becky
and cannon balls in the foof it is said to be haunted
We in luck A queer old woman, Mise
Eleanor Pyot who had outlived all her family owned
this place, and died lately nephew used to live with
her, and people supposed that the place wcud be his;
but they couldn't ind any WILL and all the ctons
went to law about it. Of course, none of then could
papa has taken it for the summer, and here we all are
It's the queerest place you saw, do come at once
There portrait of Miss Eleanor here, and it looks
just like you-she has the funnies, nose -
This is but extract from my pretty cousins rather
ncoherent letter, and by the time had finished the
epstle, was pretty well mysti6ed But uncle Althorpe
made his appearance purpose be said to escort
me to Pnehurst and Hilly sent saucy message to
pack up my nose without delay 2" ~ j"
was not long in making preparations; and with
much curiosity to behold the old Revolutionary man
sion, set forth with uncle Althorpe.I -. "a !.
to the portrait it became quite standing joke with my
cousins to call Miss Eleanor Pyott. Now this was
not agreeable very sensitive respecting my nose
and Miss Eeanor's certainly was little larger than
mine When, therefore, they urged me to don some old
bonnet that had been discovered the top Of the house,
and arrange my hair in pufs declined aording them
this qualification for which they teased me daily.
The walled-up chamber, that was regarded with a
mixture Of horror and curiosity was soon pointed out
to me- It was in sort of wing that joined on to the
extreme end of the mansion and looked upon the
densest part Of the grounds Being in the second story,
narrow fight Of steps led up from the outside to low
door that opened directly into the room This was
never unfastened, and the window tightly board
ed up. regarded this spot with longing eyes, and Of
ten proposed exploration Of the haunted aparment
but this uncle Athorpe decidedly opposed alleging that
as he was only temporary tenant, be had no right to
penetrate into these carefully guarded recesses. So
One day, my cousins had been more than usually ag-
gravatng upon the subject of my resemblance Miss
Eleanor Pyott and retired rest at night in very
pleasant frame Of mind Matilda was asleep; bnt
lay awake thinking of the former occupants of the
mansion, and wondering if Pyott Denmore would
be restored to what considered his rghtfu position
was restless and finally, rose from the bed, and
lighting candle, proceeded to view Miss Eleanor's
portrait The more looked the more became CON-
vnced that did look like it, and the desire CAME over
me to attire myself in that ancient dress, and then
pare notes. Hilly had caught glimpse Of some old
fashioned things in the back part of closet and hher
accordingly repaired faded dress of stiff brocade
that had evidently long service replaced my
white wrapper; and having rolled my hair into puis
Ia Miss Eleanor, donned green csleche, and almost
trembled at my reflection in the glass fF -
looked at the portrait again to be that it
really and not the old lady stepped from her frame
and then unhesitatingy directed my steps toward the
waAeo-uP room determined to see 1t were Posslble
to effect an entrance there.
It was ridiculous expedition but walked grayely
on through the silent passage, until came litteg
entry that opened into closet Carefully guarding my
candle, peered around in search Of some outlet, for
knew that this closet was at the house near
the mysterious chamber.
The narrowness of my quarters caused rattling in
the capacious pocket Of my dress and drawing forth
roll Of paper Igrasped it tightly for future nvestga
tion. -, fs-
Ny candle was not brilliant enough or should before
have discovered sort of broad window at the end Of
the closet.
This was secured by hooks that were noiselessly un
fastened and then found myself in small room,
nom the further end of which seemed to proceed light
was staggered, and my first impulse was to turn
back; but resolving to inquire into the of this
strange phenomenon, proceeded trembingly forward
could not have told what expected to see. but Ger
alny was not prepared for the sight that met my eyes,
The room into which entered led to larger one;
and in this, seated BY table, was gentleman COM
pletey absorbed in the perusal of old yellow let
ers His face wore an expression Of Sadness he sat
there but could see that he very distinguished
The situation in which found myself was extremely
embarrassing alone there at midnight but instead Of
retraciug my steps, stood spebound, staring At the
occupant Of the mysterious room. -. a''F Ss.afass
Presently, he turned and saw me- His face grew
white, as he exclaimed in husky voice. seiaaa .TS
This unprovoked attack upon my much injured fsa-
ture quite exaspsted and without stopping TO con-
slider what did, threw the paper in my hand at the
gpeaker, and gided back to my closet thought that
heard heavy fall; but now thoroughly alarmed at
my own imprudence hastened breathless and painting
to my Soom. sssTs5isk 9oieiEFa 5ses a~l
Ny cousin still slept; and divesting myself Of my
nasquerading attire sat down and pondsfed over nv
singular adventure As had told my uncle, did not
believe in ghosts, and the gentleman whom encoun.
tered had given full evidence of being living man. II
fully believed it to be Pyott Denmore though how he
came there, and for what could not tell had
evidently impressed him with the cenvicon that he had
been visited by his aunt Eleanor and with sort Of
mschievous gee and little inward trembling Iretired
to bed wondering what would come of it. sfaa
half feared to 80 to the breaksst-tabe but moth
ing said Of the performance of the night befors
uncle Althope locked perfectly uaconscious Of tho
scene that had been enacted and began to breathe freely
My consins teased me, during the day, for being 80
unusually silent; but my thoughts were wandering of
to the melancholy looking gentlenas, and wondefed
what had become Of him! Il would not do to tr6t the
grs with my secret; for they would laugh II me, and
declare that he'd been dreaming, and that vas, after
all, as great q coward as themselves. stssS
stole of to the thcket that was Immediately under
the boarded Window but a looked dark and deserted
q before, and almost asked myself i'll had not in
agined the whole aAaif. s. as ylas Tg.& xArs a
Uncle Athofps went to the city every mm1ile, nj
ar Il cf Lau4n - a. s~asns Nas, "a