The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-10-10
bring it off. and have it stuffed for future ex-


subsequent trying OF my nerves and tht
shaking Of my skeptism, took leave Of the
company at a seasonable hour. repaired te
my hotel, and slept soundly till morning
The next day provided myself with two
brace of pistols. a couple OF sheath knives
bottle Of brandy, and basket of provis
| ions; and in the afternoon, accompanied
by the gentleman with whom / had laid
the wager. and two others, rode out tc
the haunted maosion, to make a reconnois-
sancc 10 force. When it was first pointed
out to me. looming up grandly beautiful
from amid a delightful orange grove, De-
lieved my companions were jesting, not
thinking il possible that SO lovely place
had been abandoned for what appeared to
me SO trfiing a cause as superstitious spirit
dsveltries. Riding past it some little dis.
tance, we left the carriage. entered The
grounds on foot. and approached the build
iog through an avenue of trees. There
was an air Of desertion and desolation about
the premises that l confess sent . chill
through me from the very FIRST. Could
there possibly be any truth in the strange
reports concerning its unnatural tenants p
Pshaw! what nonsense! The structure it.
self was large, roomy and grand. with mar
BILE steps, futed columns, tesselsted floors.
and stone stairs. The doors were open, and
the whole house empty. dusty and decay
iug-a fit abode for painful and gloomy
contemplation.
We explored every portion above ground,
but did not descend into the cellars, the
doors Of which were locked, fact that
struck ms As somewhat singular. When my
friends got ready to depart. told them they
might leave me there-that, Heaven and the
Other Place permitting, should spend the
night under that roof-apd that, if they felt
any interest in my fate, they might come
for me the next morning at sunrise. They
all shook hands with me. confessed they
did not envy me my nights lodging and
possible entertain nent. and went away with
much lighter spirits than felt at seeing them
take their leave.
/ shall briefly pass over the first part Of
The night, because nothing remarkable then
occurred. had selected a front room in
he second story for my watch, and, pistol
n hand. had stationed myself by one Of the
whence could make my exit to
he ground below. in case Of dire necessity,
Without any serious risk. Here had wit
,essed the night gradually shut in the scene
md felt the first loneliness of the solemn.
eavy hours. as they dragged or toward the
Occasionally l took bite
rom my basket and a sip from the bottle,
nore for the purpose of having something
o do than because felt the need of food or
timulsnts. 1t was very tedious keeping
watch there, all alone, In the dark. in an
,mpty building, afar from the sound or reach
II human voice. and | almost began to
wish for a ghost Of some kind to break the
lull. dreaTy. gloomy monotony.
At last-somew where about midnight, I
udge-I began to grow very drowsy; and
.s keeping awake was no part Of my agree
nent or wager, sat down on the floor, ala
Turk, braced my back against the wall. and
soon began to nod and dream, and finally
ost myself in sleep.
How long l slept l do not know; but in
nv sleep, none of the soundest. fancied l
heard human voices, speaking 10 low. guar
led. steady. monotonous tones. that came
o the ear like the distant fall of water: yet.
When I awoke, which l did by losing my
balance and coming down with a shock and
. lar, the sound Of the voices seemed sud-
l.uly to cease. Was it fancy? a dream? or
lad heard some one or more persons speak
ng?
Not being the least bewildered at sudden
y awakiug and finding myself in my novel
but renemb bering all that had gone
before and why | WAS there. l now lay still
md listened. keeping my eyes wide open.
prepared to hear and see whatever sound
md sight might be presented to the two
enses and act accordingly.
Presently l heard what seemed to be
Whispers. and feet moving cautiously 10 the
oom below, and l must admi, had some
ather strange feelings and rehections.-
Nhat if. after all. there should be some truth
q ghosts and haunted houses?
Another short silence succeeded the
ouuds heard. or fancied heard. and then
bang. bang! bang! went three
litferent doors in the story below, followed
" several yroans. aud a noise IS of some
'erson wa king heavily aud dragging chain
long the A ,or. There was no mistake this
ims: and if did start up rather quickly. |
,rssp two of my pistols very tightly, and |
eel nv hair rise, aud heart beat faster, l !
hink. all things considered. neither felt
or exhibited any more fear than the bra
est would have experienced and displayed |
nder the circumstances.
The sounds of the heavy footsteps and
he rsttliug drag ofthe chain still continued. |
,oving toward the staircase until II was
cached. and then ascending deliberately to
10 second story-a blue light seeming to
recsds the nocturnal walker. and. through
he open door. steal into the room where |
as.
"Now for it!'' thought l I.compressing my
ps and steadying my nerves with oil the
ISOLATION at my command.
The sounds advanced, the light grew
righ'er. and. with eyes half starting q. the
pen door. prepared to behold some awful
pparation. Nearer and nearer sounded the
eavy steps and the rafting chain. and
whs, seemed the form of man.
nve!oPed in a white sheet, and holding be- !
,re him small. iron vessel. burning blue
ght. appeared to my as,onishei gaze.
. In Gods namev' cried I; snd then crack!
rackl went both pistols in quick succession
A yell Of terror followed down went the |
ght. and awsy went apparation aud chain,
iundering aud cls;tering down the stairs.
hen T. heard quick and excited voices
pcaking together. . rush of several feet,
nd noise OF q number ofpersons running |
.roes tho svrornis outside