The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-10-10
The Haunted Mansion.

Al the Iaii OF lo3x, says an ocQuaint
sncs to whom We are indebted for the pres
ent singular story.) was spending few
weeks Ia the city Of New Orleans. One
evening. while in company with some friend,
ladies and conference.-the conversation
haunted houses. and the like; and being q
skePtio in all such matters. 1 freely express
cd myself to that effect. saying that belisv-
cd oil ghosts to be mere fancies of timid
visionsriss. and the nocturnal dis:urbers OF
haunted houses 20 exiss only in the fevered
imaginations of ignorant, credulous fools :.
As several Of the party had great faith
In the interference of spirits in our mundane
adairs. my positive and strongly expressed
skepticism brought quite q lwordy storm
about my ears; and as n proof that was
wrong and my opponents right, (many Of
whom being ladies. were sure to be right,
you know,) case after. case was cited OF
Whist this one had heard such an one de-
clare, and that one had known of some 9th
er one having seen.
"Come." said laughing. 1--WE might ar.
que on hearsays till Doomsday. and neither
Of US be any the wiser. What I require.
TO make any impression on me. is, that some
honest. candid. strong minded, intelligen,
person, shall step forward, aud declare upon
honor, that he or she, as the case may be,
has ever seen real. genuine ghost. or has
ever seen, knowing it to be such from actu-
al experience. haunted house."
We'll. it SO happened that there were none
present who had actually seen ghost them
selves. though number Of them had seen
. number Of persons who had; and as for
haunted houses, no one was prepared to
speak from actual experience. though few
Of such reputed places were known to the
excited believers.
WELL said rather boastfully. 'if there
is such thing as = haunted house in the
universe--haunted by spirit-devils and not
msn.devils--I should like nothing better
than to pass q night in one."
Would you dare 10 do i,s" inquired Q
. very pretty young lady, fixing her large.
black eyes upon me, with expression that
I thought implied some doubt Of my cour-
age.
TRY me and sser' replied, with dig
ni6ed bow. 4
GOOD faith. then. We wiIl!' rejoined an
excited gentleman. as he seized me by the
button. "There issa splendid mansion,
some two or three miles above the city. which
is fast going to decay. in the midst Of a beau
tiful orange grove, because no one cares to
the test, / will wager you Q champagne
supper that you dare no. pass the night
there alone, from suu to sum-
Il take the bet!'' returned I. promptly
for the least hesitation then would have
brought upon me a storm Of ridicule.--
Snow what night shall We name for the
venture! and how shall obtain entrance
into the build;ngf' F
II will let you choose your own night"
answered the other: "and as the doors Of
the mansion are always unlocked. and fre.
quently standing open, you can enter any
time, without let or hindrance.'
"And who shall be appointed to decide
whether fairly win the wager!"
.Oh. for that matter. will take your
word OF honor" replied my friend. with
generous enthusiasm.
~ on believe then in my word Of honor,
ess not in my moral courage? returned l.
with laugh.
81 believe your courage would stand any
mere nsorta! test" was the rejoiuder; "and
I am wiling TO take your own word whe,h-
Or or no it staads th;s''
..Auow me to thank you for the compli.
msnt- nid 4; sand. IL too soon for your
purpose. to name to morrow night for the
great trial Of my nerves By supernatural
agency. Bat give fair warning 10 al whom
is esy concern added. and slightly com.
pressing my lips, and speaking in that tone
Of stern determination which slwsys shows
the indiv vidual to be 10 serious earnest. that
shall go well armed. and bs likely 70 trv
the effect Of . few leadeo balls upon vhai.
ever object. either Of this world or the otb.
sr. shah venture to dissarbs my peaceful
tranquility"
"And il you do shoot ghost" !" laughed
one ofths most skeptioal ofshs ladies. .'prsy