The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1866-03-21
Supposed to be Haunted.

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Supposed to be Haunted.
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 hun
dred and everybody said that they might
have been rich asunder, had they not been
80 anxious to be happy together. lie, a
gentleman in the civil service, might have
married into family who could have made
his promotion rapid and easy she decided
beauty, might have won y husband who
could have lodged her in Belgravia.
Every body 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 Apd 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 n gveat-
aunt of Mr.. Langworth's, who had rallied
against his marriage more bitterly than any
one else, left him lat her DEATH u fortune
little under fifty thousand pounds.
Of course it brought them much JOY but
also some anxiety. For ono thing; should
they live in town, as hitherto? or, as they
had very often said they aconld do, in the
improbable event Of their becoming rich,
rcticc into the country! Much was to be
said on either side They had grown nc.
customcd 10 London, and in London were
their most cherished friends. And Mr..
I4angworth's official income. now five hun
drcd year, was worth keeping, even with
their newly acquired wealth. On the other
hand, the young people (thcrc 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 rucd the day
when they quilted London and its tolls, Mr..
Langworth determined on giving the coun-
try 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
hni hitherto had few holidays, and had
much claim to indulgence.
Then nc set about inquirins for remote
country house, in which, with his family,
he might pass the vacant time, and put to
the test the (possibly) exaggerated attrac-
tons of . 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.
nkcn~yn I all - rsr
the country a fair trial. To do that, we had
better take rather out-of-the-way place,
seven miles from q market-town would be
just as WELL"
"Are you particular about rent 90
Why--yes--I am. People have been
ruined, ere now, by inheriting a fortune,
and got to fancy that they had Aladdin's
lamp! That, l am resolved, shall never be
our case. ! want--not mansion, but such
a house as, if we do decide for the country,
we shall buy or build for ourselseves.'
"Well, l do know of house, in which
you might live for three months, and longer,
! dare say, If you choose, for nothing"
Hem! How much is nothing 2"
81 mean, literally, nothing. When tell
you the name Of tho house you'll not think
it quite so surprising It's Garrow Hail."
"What the Garrow Hall?"
"Thc same, and no other. Ever since
the murder no one has lived there. II 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 a
very good house, in q very pretty country,
and not seven miles from town but there
no getting servants to live there. And poor
Miss Durham would be only too grateful to
my one who, by living there for time,
would dissipate all the superstition attach
ing to it. You can't wonder that she does
MT like to live in it herself. All the village
people say it's haunted; and have, of course,
twenty thousand stories of what has been
seen and heard about il at night,-an such
stuff. You, Of course, could bring your
servants from London. You'll find the
house in very good order; for, with such
cessary to give il the benefit Of all possible
attractions. But 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 little more talk, Mr.. Langworth
agreed that application should be made for
three months tenancy Of the house. Not
to lose time, he would himself travel down
at once into Somersctshire (Garrow Hall
was in that county,, and arrange for the
reception Of his family.
"YOu'll find comfortable bedroom oil
rendy. l know" said tho lawyer. 1.-The
only hardship is having to sleep in the
house alone; but you're not nervous, am
aware. Only, my dear sir. be sure and gci
there few hours before dark; for should
il be night when you get there, why, you
might offer oil your aunts money to induce
somebody to 60 to the Hall with you, and
don't think you'd get any one to do it.
don't, upon my word aud honor, don't. =
Garrow Hall was known by namo to many
Englishmcn who had mover SO much rs heard
the names Of Windsor Castle or st. James,
Palace. The horrible tragedy which hal
given il such reputation was, ct that time