The weekly Butte record., 1862-12-27

the house is haunted-and ii is ugly enough to
be-theyu come without raking7
4 severe rainstorm set in on the day Of
their arrival. and the old house shiyered and
cracked. By day and night Simeon was sad
and nervous, and suspicious and startled at
every noise be heard.
On the evening Of the third day unexpeet-
edly returning to the house from an errand
half finished. Simeon heard voices Trembling
be listened awhile, and then, unseen, departed
again, paler and more worried than ever.
On his return for the night. to add to his
timidity, Mrs Prink, till very late employed
herself in reciting the most narrowing ghost
stories, and spoke Of fatal presentiments reali-
zed, till his blood seemed to curdle, and he
begged her to desist, as be had already large
stock of superstition on hand, which he would
be glad to dispose of at low price.
1t was past midnight, when Mrs Priuk gave
her husband violent shaking.
Halo What's the matter, Nancy?"
a ghost A ghost Look there! y
40 Lord y cried Simeon, peeping from un-
der the quilt, and beholding the awful form
standing at the foot of the bed. By the dimly
burning light, be could see gloomy shape
with face Of ghastly whiteness, and closed eyes
The mysterious figure was crowned with a
pointed hat, and draped in dismal black
mantle while the marble-white hands clasped
a large red cross upon his breast.
"Seel 1t beckous you to follow" said
Nancy, as the silent aparition slowly beckon-
ing, disappeared through the doorway. Get
up and 60"
He beckoned for you. Go yourself"
"IIe didn't He held the cross toward
you
"I can't go. I'm afraid replied Simeon.
{" Did he look anything like your father p
"No," said Mrs Prink Dear, dear
shall die if have to live in this house"
d" I'm half dead already" murmured he
" But its all your fault, You would come"
:" 1 wouldn't. You wouldn't buy any house.
Bat see what you expect You want me to
be frightened to death, and then get all my
property"
1T is you who wants to do that very
thing to me-" retorted Simeon; and spite of
his uneasiness, he still refused to comply. ven
turing the suggestion that perhaps the spirit
would rot appear again.
But, on the following night. the dark phan-
tom did appear again at their bedside, and
Nancy screamed wildly; for, this time, the
glaring eyes of the ghost were angrily fixed
upon them both.
"In the name Of Heaven" falered Simeon,
" whose spirit are you, and what do you want
here ?"
The phantom shook his head slowly and
sorrowfully.
" Is there anything we can do for you?'
The figure nodded affrmatively
" You can't be the ghost of old Mr. Hab
dabber that my father owed money to ~
asked Nancy.
The ghost shook its head in the negative
"Were you murdered anywhere about here?"
Still negative motion.
Perhaps you don't want US to live here ?"
The spectre closed its eyes, and departed
noiselessly.
Dumb y said Simeon.
" But anybody could understand it. He
wants US to leave. If you don't get another
house after this, you are cruel, and deserve to
be haunted
Ditto" replied Prink. at is awful try
ing to be sure but tomorrow I'll get pistol
and, perhaps can learn it better Manners
Pooh. You can't kill ghost"
"I'l have pop at it, resolved Mr.. Prink
and next day he went to town and did get a
pistol-brought it home and loaded it himself.
Night came, and so did the unwelcome vis-
tant-Mrs. Prink loudly sobbing, and reproach-
ing her husband for his avarice and obstinacy
The ghost had scarcely entered, when ST.
neon fred-taking deliberate aim.
Bang"
" Ha. ha = laughed the unharmed specter.
The Lord deliver US :" exclaimed the as
tonished Mr.. Prink. Speak What, in the
name of all that's under ground, what would
you have ?"
The ghost groaned.
why are we thus prosecuted Are you a
Catholic p
Alas p answered the ghost.
Sorry that you died Catholic ?"
Alas, no - moaned the spectre. Il was
Catholic, but not good one one in profes
sion, but not practice. Ny sins were many,
and l died uurepentng, unabsolved.'
Hard case. But its rather late, now
amt it?'
The apparitioa wore menacing aspect.
Il demand OF you heavy sum of money to
purchase masses for my soul. You are very
wealthy. Deny me, and I'll follow you forev-
er, or till vo1 perish from terror, when l as