Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-07-03

a few moments, and was followed up by
tremendous crash. I could hear the
glass rattle upon the floor. This was
aucceeded by perfect stiffness. Thinks
I TO myself, you're making work all BY
yourselves, but if You leave me unmo-
Tested, You are at liberty to perform as
you choose. Trimming the wick of my
lamp, l nervously lay waiting for an
other and more dreadful manifestation.
Shortly rapid running, and creaking
of stairs greeted my listening ear, then
a final plnnge and all was still.
Now" says L. "they have made
their way to this Hoor, and will soon be
making me visitation. Calmly as pos.
sibIs1 awaited my fate, not, however,
till / had grasped revolver, which /
am ashamed to confess / carried with
me. The noise had ceased, but now
low, sboerse whispers broke upon my
ear, and sent a thrill Of horror through
my soul The slightest sound was ech-
oed aud re-eehoed by the bare walls.
The whisperings had ceased, aud the
running up and down stairs had com.
menced 30 furiously, it seemed as if at
every bound the old crazy steps would
yield. There were fantastic tiptoiugs,
heavy treads, the falling of weights,
whispers, groans, and every conceivable
noise, together with sounds beyond con-
eeption Soon the steps drew near the
door of my apartment | held my breath
in sudden expectation Of unwholesome
visitors, when Suddenly the door creaked
upon its hinges, | started up, yet spoke
not a word, but with fascinating eyes
gazed upon the door, Suddenly it was
thrown open, aud figure in white
rushed past. Momentarily / resolved
the question in my mind, Is this ghost
or notTt All at once | felt nerving
of every muscle, and suddenly springing
up, ran to the door and loudly cried,
'Be. You ghost or man, wen have
trial of strength if necessary" and going
5eh, l dimly perceived in advance of me
the same figure clothed in white, noise
lessly gliding into email closet beneath
the stairs.
Boldly / rushed to the spot, but too
quick for me, the figure passed almost
sscm my very arms, and rapidly ran
from me. / followed at the top of my
speed Down cellar went the ghost, and
after it,-up stairs and even to, the at
tic, apd down again. Once it was al.
most within my grasp, but as I reached
out my hands to clasp it, away it darted
in another direction Surely, John Gil
pin never had such race. l soon be-
came convinced that | was indeed
chasing a. spirit, for no earthly being
could make such adroit turns and
changes just as had given over the
chase in despair, the figure tripping over
tho sill of the apartment in which had
been watching, was about to fall, when
reaching out both Of my hands [ sue
ceeded 10 OBTAINING it. Judging by the
heaviness Of my visitor, was led to infer
that | was dealing with no shadowy, but
veritable substance. Drawing my ghost
to the dull, hlckering light, and tearing
away the sheet, for which it proved 10
be, who did it bring to light With eyes
AFT twinkle and mouh bursting open
with laughter, but Madgei-my fun
Ioying scrazy-headed Madge, all breath
less with exhaustion.
ain the name of common sense" ]
!" If this is a ghost, uaS I
be haunted by them my life louS" J
Il SQh Henry she cried, " To-, LoId uo
50 stight--do let me breS" OU N0'u ~
Why, what doe. such td an ethereal
sreatare want % sitg, -
,,ora lease F" me go, she piteously i'm
IN - ,-sr face covered with blushes at
ava -iscoyerY. .e
Il Here peal of laughter issued from
an adjoining room, and I recognized the
voice OF her cousin Lou, who bad assis-
ted Madge in personating q ghost
?" Do let me go, again said my captur-
ed sunbeam ag
" When you have promised me one
thing / Replied
What it thatT gasped Madge.
That 1 may have just such a shad-
ovy spirit to travel with me through
life adding provision, however,
that you'll never put me to so much
trouble in catching you again" -s
To this she madeno reply
Can't you promise me that, Madge"
inquired, in a very lover-like way.
Yes, she half laughing, half reluc.
iantly replied. If you'll never tell our
amily how you discovered me tonight"
OF course promised,
Taking it for granted, dear reader,
hat you are not one of the family, I
have told you this story
Madge entered my house, as she had
done my heart like bright ghmmer of
sunshine. She had sent joy and glad
ness singing in my soul ever since.
Bless her blue eyes They are looking
1t me now, 50 merrily, yet sauc.ily. I
hope, my kind friend, you're half as