The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-01-27
A Tale of Terror.

At the "Orow Inn" at Antwerp. some
years ago, white spector was seen
bearing a lamp in one hand and a bunch
of keys in the other. This unpleasant
visitor was seen bya variety of travellers
passing along q corridor
Nothing would satisfy the neighbors
that an unfortunate traveller had not been
at some time other dispatched in the fatal
room by one Of the previous landlords of
the house. The hotel gradually obtained
the name Of the "Haunted Inn" and
ceased to be frequented by its old patrons.
The landlord finding himself on the
brink of ruin, determined TO sleep in the
haunted room, with view of proving the
groundlessness of the story. To mako
the matter more sure, as he said, he caus-
ed the hostler TO bear him company, on
pretencs Of requiring witness 10 the
absurdity Of the report; but in reality.
from cowardice. At dead ofnight, how
ever, just as the two men were composing
themselves TO sleep in one bed-leay-
ing another untenanted--the door flew
open and in glided the white specter
Without pausing to ascertain whatit
might attempt on approaching the bed,
toward which il directed its course, The
two man rushed naked out of the room.
and the alarm they created confirmed
more fully than ever the vilrepute OF the
house.
Unable longer TO sustain the cost of 80
unproduotiYe an establishment, tho poor
landlord advertised for sale the house 10
aiioih iI1 Nni mis- father before MIN were
born and had passed their lives. But
bidders were as scarce as customers the
inn remained on sale for nearly a year.
during which from time to time, tho
specter re-appeared.
Al length an officer Of the garrison.
who had formerly frequentcd the house,
moved TO compassion in favor Of the poor
host, undertook 10 clear up the mystery
by sleeping in the Aforesaid chamber
nothing doubling that the whole was
trick Of some enyious neighbOr, DESTROYS
Of deterioraiing the value OF the free.
hold in order 10 become 4 purchaser
His oiier having been gratefully ac-
cepted, the Captain took up his quarters
in the fatal room, with a bottle of wine
and brace Of loaded pistols on the ia.
bic before him, determined 10 fire al
whatever object might enter tho room.
Az the usual hour Of midnight accord
ingly, when the door few open and the
specter, bearing a lamp and bunch OF
keys, made its appearance, he seized both
his pistols, when, fortunately, as his ia
ger was ON the point Of touching the irig-
ger, be perceived the apparitiOn was DO
! other than the daughter Of his host,
! young and pretty girl, evidently walking
in her sleep. Preserving the sirictesi 81
| lence, he watched her set down the light,
| place her keys carefully on the chimney
| place, and retire TO the opposite bed
| which, as IL afterward proved, she had
| often occupied during the lifetime Of her
late mother, who slept in the room.
No sooner had she thoroughly composed
herself, than the officer, after locking the
door Of the room, went in search OF heI
father and several competent witnessed
| including the water baililr Of the district.
who had been one Of tho loudest in circu.
lating the rumors concerning the Haunt.
] ed Inn The poor girl was found quietly
asleep in bed, and her terror on awaken
! ing in the dreadful chamber afforded suf-
/ ficient evidence TO all present of the state
! of somnambuIism in which she had been
| on.ranced
From that period the speoter was seen
no more; probably because the land.
| lords daughter removed shortly after.
ward 10 a home OF her own; aud the
tales of horror so freely circulated 10 the
bewilderment OF the poor neighbOrs, end
ed in the simple story Of young girl
walking in her sleep.