Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-09-14
VOL. XII -: NO 81

sent ease, nos only were the man auj ii
wife in that fevorisif state in which tho ey
makes visions for itsek, but they were quit
ready to link such phantoms to Henry
room which they had previously decree,
to he the fayorito abodc of the ghost. lf
review of the whole case led NE rather T.
be vexed with them, than satisfied there wa J!
any reason for the mental stew into whiCl
thoy had heated themselves. The only
tangible things of the whole medley Swers
the footprints. II there were actually
traces Of feet walking about the premises
that was enough to satisfy me-nOt Of
ghost, but of person engaged in pryine
| about the villa for some unlawful purpose
made up my misd to watch for this
person. and entrap him, Il occurred. 81
once. that one Of those dare devils spirits
to he found in every comalunity, was puT-
posely getting mp scenis effects On the
prcmises for the amusement Of spreading
the report that villa was haunted, and ex-
citing the curiosity snd cre2ulity ef the
village. I was indignant at the heartless.
ness of the plan, and resolve. shOuld oatch
the prepetrator. to infict such summary
shastisrnent - would cure him Of his taste
far practical joking. Tire assertion Of ths
woman that he tracks began and ended
Rowhere-thai ne one had approached the
house, because there were n0 footsteps.
coming in from any direction-did not re-
ceive entire credit from me. Were that
actually the case theD-it was positive evi-
dence that the person was secreted n tl,e
dwelling, all idea foolish and incredible, 0si
the face of it, for many reasons.
However, swas in earnest now. about
the matter. | would ascertain tire truth, Or
explode the faIselrood, and make an dnd Of
it, before painful reports should reach tbs
ears of friends, or every idl5 ragInuffln IN
f, the country make that h1l0wed place, con-
scerated by tho ties and memories of the
one BOW gene, tire focus Of his vulgar 0uri-
0sity. where is your lslsbaDd!'
| Hes sorsin' pertaters, or :yin' up seeds,
in the loft
Please call him down, and give mo this
keys of the house,
! The gardener came, following very re-
luctantly, at my bidding, wlrile again eu-
tered the villa. and went over every room.
statoning him i'll the hall. 80 THAT pr ony
could possibly escape during my visit to
| the lower aud upper floors l searched
from cellar to garnet, while Mrs. Scott.
with her pale-b blue eyes wide opon, and al.
icHtilS d ouslhio ro'SAy "h'oh 'SOf iObno
belied. accompanied me. Once. ut u sud
den noise. she seized the skirts Of nv
overooat. but resigned them when told
her it was caused by Johns shutting the
front hall door.
'Dear. deari there's rats in the villa, at
lasto she exclaimed, remOsing tlte cover of
Il floar barrel which stood in the store-roOIr.
They've boen i'll this -four. I'm sorry.
for they're an awful pest. They'll make
trouble if Idont watch'em clost' believe
I'll pizen en-. Mrs. Morcland told me tV
! take this -four home and use it up; hut We
have mt needed 1t yet, and I've LETT i: here,
aud now they yc made pretty work with it.
If there are rats here shan't be sur
prised at all kinds of noises remarked
Rats arc equal to almost anything.
They will tramp like an army of men or
stalk like an II solitary burglar. They
will throw down plates and cups-like this
one, broken on the floor here, since we
came here last; mess pillows and drag
books out Of place. You really will have
to KEEP sharp look out
They won't cry like a child. nor moan
like sick person. nor stand OH baldouies
dressed in shrouJs.' observed the house.
keeper.
Il think they would do the first two,' and
| smiled but as to the latter, I'm not pro-
pared to assert
4 recon not. Iorly wish you'd seen it
Mr.. Tcdiield''
i shall stay to night i'll the hope Of that
pleasure.Mrs' Scott
Pm right glad to hear you say 20, sir.
Its not pleasant to bo placed in the sltua-
ton | am-to know what know and not
to have my word taken
1t was true: it could not be pleasant for
her, to have her earnest statments received
with so much skcpticism; did not won-
del that she felt hurt, almost offended ut
the same time f.lt rs if l, in my turn
should be intensely aggravated if found
out there was nothing in all this furry,
This second search resulted in nothing.
like the first 1t was nearly dark when
We returned to the cottage, where Mrs.
Scott allowed mo to dandle hor tat, good
naturel babs Johnny, while she prepared
tea in style bclitting the important w.
cason of company
If YOU are i'll earnest about settiu' uptO
watch, I'll make coffee. iustid OF tea, if its
agreeable to you, Mr. RediiclI. It's better
to keep one awake.
| assented to this assert on, bein, Of \
similar opinion Dy self. She set her hus-
band to grinding the delocate berry in .
hand, mill, and soon an excellent supper.
with cold ham and hot biscuits, was placed
lopon the table The night promised to be
lclear and cold; the moon would not rise
until about eleven; fortified myself
against the hardships of my adventure by
two cups of strong coife, with substantial
meal; passed an hour or two chatting with
the couple and singing Johnny to sleep:
then about eight O'Clock, buttoned my
overcoat close. tied my muller about my
neck and went forth to begin picket duty.
I'm leave the coffepot OH the stove, and
a good fire, was the parting promise Of the
good woman, who seemed 10 think had
rather solemn time before me.
Thank you Mrs. Scott; if make no
discovrics by one or two O'Clock. shall
come in to warm myself, and give up the
hope for this occasion. You snow mid
night is the witching hour-it will be uso-
less to stay much later
The Lord he yotr.' she said. earnestly.
Armed with stout walking-stick, with
which Intended to intlict punishment up
on any intruder of earthly mold, walk
cd out on to the lawn, taking such sur
: vcy as conld in the dim light; like tho
RAIN in the chldren's riddle went round
aud rouna the house, snd inally took STA
ton ON the front porch, where walked
softly back forth, listening for sounds with
= in and without. heard and saw nothing
The long hours slipped slowly away. just
hnf,rn ,nnnuri TN. h:,rku.sx seuluo1 a.,