Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1866-03-22
Supposed to be Haunted.

Supposed 10 De kHaunacNs
Everybody said that Mr.. and Mrs. Lang
worth in marrying each other, had done
the most foolish of all the foolish things
which fate had put within their power.
Their united ages were little over forty, and
their united incomes nothing over four hum
dred and everybody said that they might
have been rich asunder, had they not been
so anxious to be happy together. He,
gentleman in the civil service, might have
married into family who could have made
his promotion rapid and easy she q decided
beauty, might have won husband who
could have lodged her in Belgravia.
Everybody said that they would be ruined
But they lived on; by no means rich, but
not entirely poor. AS years went by, Mr..
Langworth's position and income improved;
though their upward progress was very,
very slow. Little legacies, too, came in
from several quarters; and friends, who
had frowned coldly, waxed warm and cord
ial again. For the world, at least in this
one point, copies the example of Heaven, in
its preference for helping those who help
themselves.
The Langworths had been married over
twenty years, when, 10 and behold a great
aunt of Mr.. Langworth's, who had rallied
against his marriage more bitterly than any
one else, left him lat her DEATH fortune
little under fifty thousand pounds.
OF course it brought them much joy; but
also some anxiety. For one thing; should
they live in town, as hitherto Or, as they
had very often said they mould do, in the
improbable event of their becoming rich,
retire into the country? Much was to be
said on either side. They had grown &C
customed to London, and in London were
their most cherished friends. And MIR.
Langworth's official income. now five hun
dred year, was worth keeping, even with
their newly-acquired wealth. On the other
hand, the young people (there were four or
five, | forget which, were all anxious for
the country; and in the country the parents
had passed their early days. Knowing how
many retired rich men have rued the day
when they quilted London and its tolls, Mr..
Langworth determined on giving the coun-
try n fair trial, still leaving'open the chance
of returning to his occupation in town. He
obtained three months leave of absence
from his office. From his narrow means he
had hitherto had few holidays, and had
much claim to indulgence.
Then he set about inquiring for a remote
country house, in which, with his family,
the test the (possibly) exaggerated attrac-
lions of q rural life.
The solicitor whom he consulted said he
supposed Mr.. Langworth would wish the
house he took to be within easy distance of
the metropolis.
"No, not by any MEANS" said the client
ssObserye II want--we all want-.-to give
the country fair trial. To do that, we had
better take rather out-of-the-way place,
seven miles from market-town would be
just as we'll"
" Are you particular about rent ?"
"Why--yes-I nm. People have been
ruined, ere now, by inheriting fortune,
and got to fancy that they had Aladdin's
lampl That, am resolved, shall never be
our case. want--not a mansion, but such
a house as, if we do decide for the country
we shall buy or build for ourselseves.'
ssWell l do know of q house, in which
you might live for three months, and longer,
dare say, if you choose, for nothing"
Hem! How much is nothing ?"
SCI mean, literally, nothing. When 1 tell
YOU the name of the house you'll not think
it quite so surprising It's GarroV Hall"
"What the Garrow Hallg"
"The same, and no other. Ever since
the murder no one has lived there. 1t be-
longs TO the sister of the former owner, and
the supposed murderer. You remember
the case, of course? Many people would
have paid a hundred year for it; for it's q
very good house, in very pretty country,
and not seven miles from town but there's
no getting servants to live there. And poor
Miss Durham would be only too grateful to
any enc who, by living there for time,
would dissipate all the superstition attach
- - Al. IL u
mt like to live in ii herself. All the village
people say it's haunted; and have, of course,
twenty thousand stories of what has been
seen and heard about i, at highland such
stuff You, of course, could bring your
servants from London. You'll find the
house in very good order; for, with such
preiudices against it, of course il was ne
cessary to 81 re it the benefit of all possible
attractions. Lat even the old PEOPLE who
take care of it in the daytime wouldn't stay
during the night not, do believe, if by so
doing they might make ii their own"
After n little more :.lk, Mr.. Langworth
agreed that application should be made for
n three months tenancy q the house. Not
TO lose time, he would himself travel down
Mt once into Somersetshire (Garrow Hal
was in that county, and arrange for the
reception of his family.
"You'n find comfortable bedroom al
ready, l know" said the lawyer. " The
only hardship is having 20 sleep in tht
house alone; but you're not nervous, | an
aware. Only, my dear sir, be sure and ge
there few hours before dark; for should
it be night when you get there, why, yo'
might offer all your aun;'s money TO induce
somebody to go TO the Hall with you, and
don't think you'd get any one to do it.
don't. upon my word and honor, don't.
Garrow Hall was known by name to man.
Enolishmen who had never so much rs hear'
the names of Windsor Castle or St. James
Palace. The horrible tragedy which ha'
given it such reputation was, at that time