Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-08-03
VOLUME XXVI.

tall III Hoods, the rocky road was washed
and quilted, the lightning increased SO that
the lantern was almost useless. A few in
ches to the side and the coach must plunge
down, down hundreds of feet The driver,
as he said, "kncw the road by heart" and
he was a good horseman, so we, after many
doubts and fears, crossed the little bridge
which announced the foot Of the mountain
! We reached Wyalusing in a short time,
and remained there all night. The morning
was glorious, and the journey to Towanda
was enjoyed by all Even the .uncompan-
ionable old man appeared shade brighter
We arrived in time for an early dinner, af-
ter which, as | sat upon the portico, the
old man came to me and said, al am P
NJ, live a few miles from here if you
will come to my house will pay you what
| owe you" He shuffled off so quickly that
| had not time to think what he meant or to
make amy reply. My curiosity was excl
ted and | resolved to visit this singular
person | inquired where he lived of the
landlord. He informed me, but advised me
| not to go ; his house was as odd as him
self, and as mysterious noises were heard,
sights were seen there, unearthly and un-
! accountable. | learned further that old
Mr.. NJ. had had two wives the first was
driven away from her husband by his as
perity of temper-taking one child year
old and leaving one, six. Both were daugh-
ters. Soon after, NJ. married young wo-
man who had been brought up IN his house.
The change from service to position atfec-
ted her unfavorably she became austere
and imperious to himself, and cruel to his
child Suddenly in the midst of her rule
she died NJ was an educated man tn-
derstood chemistry, possessed a chemical
apparatus and frequently experimental,
using poisonous Materials suspicion
arose that his wife had been foully dealt
with He lived remote from neighbors, the
fact of the woman's death only known to
few, and they We're not disposed to exam
Inc into it so the event passed from their
minds NJ looked after his men on the
farm, but mingled socially with nobody.
His daughter grew up as quiet as himself,
receiving education from her father. Nci-
ther was often seen away from home. The
single exception Of which l write was the
only one in which VI. was ever known to
make a journey. d.. ~. r. .......
This singular man had invited me to his
house to receive pay for | knew not what.
| had read Washington Irving's mysterious
! hHlChcEDUChcI SlOIlCS, anu DcSdH W llll-
aginc myself hero Ms was the very
place for me- | should at least remain
with him one night and have the privilege
of seeing a real, bona-tide, honest hobgob-
lin. | could scarcely wait till the follow
ing day, and dreamed Of ghosts all night,
though believe that | slept none Bright
and early l vaulted into a saddle and
dashed off for the haunted house reached
it at o'clock. NJ. had not yet risen; he was
! tatgucd it was uncertain at what hour
| he might be seen. This was told me by a
colored servant who seemed to be the only
one about the house. was anxious to see
| the daughter before night to prevent mis-
taking her for the ghost. | busted myself
in examining the ancient fabric. From the
paror into which | was shown door open
ed into a library both rooms were fur
nished with solid old furniture, the carpets
were Of large round figures, yellow predom-
mating. Dampness had changed the wall
paper 50 much that its original hues could
not be told A faint light fell through
windows with closed shutters, and with no
curtains whatever. | with difficulty raised
a sash, but the shrubbery had grown so
dense against the shutters that could not
throw them open.
The windows in the library were so high
that | could not reach them they were
perfectly square, and ranged along over
| the book-shelves close to the ceiling Dust
! had gathered thick upon most of the books
| | stood moment awed by the silence that
reigned Suspended over the door through
which | had entered, was an old portrait
it was beautiful lady. apparently about
| twenty-five years of age-thc lineaments
seemed strangely familiar "But then"
thought |, chow many people look alike in
this world" | stepped back to see the pic
ture in better light As did so a sound
came to my ears like two or three quickly
drawn breaths. | passed into the parlor,
expecting to see Miss NJ. l waited few
minutes and nobody appearing, went out
and surveyed the premises. Everything
bore a neglected aspect Rose bushes and
| other flowers, and weeds, had sprung up
from old roots in the large yard and were
choking one another to death. Out houses
were dilapidated, and the dwelling itself
was in woeful repair. | loitered around
! till four in the afternoon, when the servant
| informed me that dinner was ready. In the
dining-room | saw Miss NJ for the first
time She was short and light complex
ioned, wearing one curl behind either ear
She looked full thirty years of age, and
was prematurely gray She bent her head
slightly as l entered, pointed to a chair at
the table and motioned the servant, whom
she called Moses, to bring on the meat
II hope your father is not seriously ILL.,"
| ventured.
No Sir" without removing her eyes
from her plate, "He will see me early to-
morrow, hope" ......-..
"Yes Sir"
This was all her manner was so icily
cold that | made no effort at conversation
| determined to stay allnight (and sleep in
the library whether invited or not. At
the close of the meal Miss NJ arose and
bade me a low good evening" .t
returned to the library and took down
a volume ofSpencer. Again was the breath
ing audible, as distinctly as before There
was but one door beside that going into
the parlor hesitated before opening it,
least Miss M's room should be contiguous.
| opened it cautiousl y however, and discov-
cred only a large closet whose shelves
were filled with bottles, labeled with the
Latin names of drugs and chemicals. |
closed the doOr-fbpJe 3cns the Sl0hID0 du1ln