American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-04-12
2.
THE GHOST.

"Sorry, gents" said the landlord. in
reply to their ipterrogations, but owing
to the great trial which is to come off to-
morrow, every bed is engaged, aud have
mot spare corner"
nTral of what?" asked one them
"Can it be possible that you have not
heard of the murder of Janette Rochelle
by young Fallow, whose case is to come up
tomorrow p
"No; we've just arrived in town and
were ignorant of the fact. But cannot
YOU give us a sofa or lounge in the par
ior. or any other convenient place ?"
Impossible, gents; every Inch is bar
gained for
We'll, then, direct us to some private
house where we can stay for the night.
"There isn't spare bed in the vii
lage-except one, aud that don't think
you would fancy much"
Anything is better than walking the
streets all nlShI' w nut . 'h' '"J''''o''
to the one you name! =
Hush - replied Boniface, seriously.
"The house is haunted"
Bah :" sneered traveller number one.
"Tm notafraid ofany of your hob b-goblins.
Where is the house,"
sThe one directly opposite with closed
shutters"
swell, give us an armful of wood, a
light some food aud drink, aud we'll risk
che consequences" 3"
With many dubious shakes of the head
and sundry shrugs of his broad shoulders,
the landlord brought the desired articles,
handed over key, and wishing them
pleasant time, remarked, in parting:
"You'll find the house well furnished,
and the bedroom directly over the par
lor."
'Good night" replied the travellers,
and out they went, crossed che street
passed through the creaking gate, un-
tked. the front door, and entered the
sssefious dwelling.
y Here's rum go, said number one,
hose name was Walker; 9" we start of
Iou a trip of pleasure, and get stuck into
haunted house the very first night. But
never mind; vel make ourselves as com
Portable as possible, and if his goastship
PAYS us a visit, let him look out for him
self"
So they built rousing fire in the crate,
drew a stand up before it, and while
Walker concocted hot punch, his COM
panion spread out the viands, aud they set
to, eating as only hungry men can. Then
after slipping their beverage and smoking
their cheroots, they made careful in
spection of the whole house, found it
speudidly furnished as the landlord had
told them, but discovered nothing un-
usual, or signs of anything supernatural.
Carefully closing all the doors after them,
they then repaird to the bedroom, and
they were few moments after, neatly
tucked in bed, where Walker soon tell
into sound sleep, and his companion,
De Marr, was just following suit, when
ne imagined he heard the door open.
He Immediately jumped up, and going to
it fonnd that it indeed was ajar. After
carefully searching the hall, he closed the
door, and placing table against it, went
back to bed.
Scarcely had L is head touched the pill
low, when noiseessly the table slid away,
the door flew open, and in stalked huge
white figure, with the usual ghostly ac-
compartments, and of course approached
the bed Being sensible young man,
and naturally endowed wi,h strong nerves,
he was in no wise Disconnected On the
contrary, he concluded it was a sell, and
sitting up in bed, quietly inquired of the
spectre what it wanted.
Retreating toward the door, 1t beckon-
ed him to follow.
" "Nir cum a rouse" said De Mari
"you We got tospeak before you getme out
of this room. What do you want?'
" Follow me-" said the vision.
~ "Well," thought De Marr, :" it hasn't
got voice to scare anybody; besides, |
wonder what it will amount to, anyway
I'm not coward, SO here goes" and he
slipped into his pants and boots and fol
lowed, out into the hall, dowa stairs
then down into the cellar, stopping in the
middle of which the ghost raised large
stone, disclosing another pair CT stairs,
down which he pointed Dc Mari to des-
ccend. tfvofs l.-
"No you don't, old fellow" he answer
ed. "Go down first yourself"
"Down !" said Mr. Ghost, and down he
weat, the ghost after, aud the stone clos
4