Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-12-10

wa expired, and love had Won.
ADVENTURE WITH A FEMALE GHOST.
, FINDING himself In possession of a holiday,
samson Brown betook himself by rail to a vii
isge not many miles distant from London. He
inquired at the station whether there were re-
turn tickets that commanded q period of three
or four days; but receiving an answer in the
negative, he paid his second class fare down,
entered carriage, and sighed to think how his
EXPIRED, he once more sought the e eat metrop
oils He submitted, however, to Pate, and was
soon absorbed in his favorite paper
When, startled in the midst of one of the most
interesting articles in the Economist, by q harsh
shout, announcing the arrival of the train at
tne desired station. Samson Brown aIighted
from the carriage, bis first thought was to stroll
about the village, and ascertain the nature of
the accommodations presented. All he knew
ABOUT the village was this: il stood very little
way down In the page Of the month Bradshaw
(which he had borrowed from a friend, and
consequently could be reached at q very small
xpense.
The object that first struck his eve as he
Ioamed through the village, was a neat white
washed cottage, Of the ornamental species with
all the shutters closed. In front OF the domicile
was a neglected garden.
Strolling further on, Samson Brown observed
that there was scarcely such a thing as an &C.
ttere were houses infinitely worse stu ated and
worse looking than the deserted dwelling. As
stimulus to thought, he rubbed bis CHA and
Its touch reminded him that be was as vet un-
shaver He had therefore preteIt for calling
on the village barber; and, placing him (
under the care of that distinguished artist, be
put several questions relative to the myet nv
that now occupied bis mind.
The barber stated all he knew about the m L
ter In confidential tone, that Was highly aat-
tering to Samson Brown. For n ten-pun' note.
no WOULD not have said as much to the best
friend he had ever known. but he poured it all
forth gratuitously into the ear Of Samson
brown, whom he had never before seen in his
lite, ard whose countenance expressed nothing
but uumitigated astuteness
According to the information Of the commu-
nicatlve shaver, the co.tige in gu stion was
troubled. People had been iavited 10 live there
Tor nothing, ami even on those very reasonable
terms had been unable 70 remain, in conse-
quence OF the strange noises that abOunded in
every room, more especially the frst hoor back
Doors opened without visible cause srd shut
with excessive audibili;y. CrOekery and glass
mad strange mack of rafting and iiuyIirc on
the tables; and on the stairs might be beard the
rustiing of that peculiarly stiff silk which ia
never worn nowadays, but was much in vogue
among wicked old ladies in the last century.
Armed with these formidable facts Samson
Brown proceeded to the Office of the VILLAGE
house agent, which was situated in the High
street; and, after the shortest possible preface,
asked what was the rent Of the avoided cottage.
Inc sum required By the agent was ridiculous
iy small when tested by the appearance of the
council; but 1t was perfectly exor bitant COM
pared with the SUM proposed, in his turn, by
Samson Brown.
The agent affected indignant surprise; but
was quailed IN momentb By the piercing glance
with which Samson Brown eyed him, when be
said: A0
Well, small as my offer may be, it is better
than nothing; and you know very we'll that.
even at the rate of nothing per annum. more
than one person has refused to ocoupy those
suspicious premises. Don't smile You are
perfectly aware that the cottage has the repu.
tatiOn Of being troublcd-that's tho expression
-troubl ~
Here the agent exclaimed with bis we'll. af.
fsc;ei meaning:
should very much like to know who dares
70 propagate such q malicious rumor.''
As every one in the village has sufficient
courage for that exploi,-theus Oh not sufficient
to live in your house-your wish may be easily
grained replied Samson Brown, with the
most profound coolness
Well, observed the agent in a conciIator1
tone OF voice, admit that there are MANY
iooilsn people hereabouts, and foolish peopje
otten indulge IN foolish superstitions; but men
OF sense, my dear sir-msn of the world-like
You and me"
stop moment" said Samson Brown
don put you and me together. You ard
see the matter from precisely opposite points of
view lou want to get as much az you can far
.ne cottage, and therefore you disbelieye the
report that 1t Is haunted want to give Won
as little as l can, ami therefore am a firm he
never In supernatural influences"
LUIS logic Was too much for the agent. and
IN le" seconds Samson Brown had signed an
emen' oy virtue OF which, on bis own
.elms' ne obtained possession of the cottage.
together with sundry articles Of shabby fnrn;'
ture which, probably left by the Ia ST frigbtsnad
tenant, SUI fingered in the deserted rooms
AT about quarter before nidni ght. Sam.on
DtoNn was sitting along In tho dreaded fr,t
moor oack oil the cottage, RECALLING himself with
gas" OF tolersbly strong brandy and water.
and lnhsling the fragrance of q mild oipar
small loaf and half q Dutch cheese ,tood ~
the rickety table against which be sat : aI,o
pewter plnt-pot carefully covered with a sn,u
Piate' Inese articles had been brou eht in hv
osmpson Brown with his own hand when he
took possession; for there was not cheese.
munger assistant or pot-boy who would hav.
His mind was once more ab,orh.d =, ~ I T
omst, Which he read through the fums. tb.,
ga eiuily curied about his vsll.da6n.d 80.
AZ tne hour oil midnight approached Al.
Piate began to CHATTER terribly on the ton ~
Se peSter-Pot; Samson Brown, reused from
feicHy iemOSeQ the noisy utsps;l
placed it on a soft piece of baile, which n ISL
aereo soortVs every attempt to clatter, and
vas once moro deep in the Revenue Returns
Presently the door Of the room opened win
eresk and closed with bang Samson Brown
rose ron bis seat, turned the key, and re-
SUM samea MS Ienections on the proceeds of Gus
.,.,. A1o excise The clock Of the village |
suueS twelve, wi dreary solemnity thst
s;.ma a nave arod every other occupant Of that
Brown x.. furnished room; but samson |
oiGHn was bordering over the probability Of
an increase Of the income tax. ' u
.oaDS S ;n ~. A. the final stroke Of twelve,
caused Samson Brown to suspect ,bs, III ~ sd.
not alone, Raising his eye. from the fascius'
n PoPs, Ie perceived short female figure,
ROOM and apparently unconscious of his nr ,ne
ence, until, suddenly turning round 3, &c.
upon him two CLASSY eyes Then, daI,ina nea
ward, 1t planted two pointed elbow, o,s 81.
table, and rested upon two skinny hands one
OF the most evil faces that was ever beLsld
Never were earthly wickedness and ,nectrai
rePnlsiveDess more aptly combined