The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-09-05
geletted Sflisrellaup,
[From the London Magazine. ]
YNc queer Skeleton.


father, and he believed the story am
about to relate. My father resided at
Ipswich, and once had occasion to go to
London on business. 1t was during
periodsof great popular commotion, and
the city being very tull, he had some
trouble in finding lodging. The master
of the house observed that it was q
good large room-for he could get
but ene-and very comfortable, if he
did not mind-but there he stopped, for
his wife gave him nudge. That made my
father suspect something vas not right.
1t isn't over slaughtcr-house or a
burial ground, or dissecting-room, is
it 2 says my father.
ooh, dear no !! says the landlord
but some people say the next house is
haunted , and that anybody who sleeps
in this room can see lady in white,
crying, at that window you can see
there
ooh, is that all p says my father;
perhaps there's some poor maniac con
fined there. Whether or no, however,
that's no objection, for I don't care
rush for all the ghosts that ever was in
vented
Well, he took possession of the room
and before night closed in he had an op.
portunity Of taking an accurate survey of
the ncighboring premises A lead roof,
apparently over workshop, lay between
his window and that one where the
ghost was said to appear only there
was this difference, that he could easily
step out of his upon the leads, whereas
the neighbor's was about nine or ten
feet higher. My father always vowed
that he was perfectly sober when he
went to bed. He couldn't tell how long
he had been asleep when he was sud.
denly awakened by loud screams and
when he opened his eyes he saw that
the opposite house was on fre. lie
was out on the leads in a moment The
haunted room was filed with bright
flames, and at the window stood love.
ly young woman, clasping baby m her
arms, and screaming for help.
ooh, save my child-save my child =
she kept on crying in tones Of such an,
guisb, that they went to my fathers
very heart.
Give it to me, he said, and then
jump out into my arms. The distance
is nothing you canpot be hurt. Take
courage. Now, give me the baby ,
She leaned forward, aud dropped the
baby wrapped in a shawl into my faith
er's arms, Just as he got it safe, it
seemed to him that the roof fell in.
There was a crashing noise, but not very
loud ; the flames disappeared, and so
did the young lady. In at his window
he rushed again, aud through the house,
shouting Fire ire ! with all his
might, and with the baby still in his
arms. Out rushed the landlord as pale
as a ghost, and his wife after him, in
such a monument of nightcap that it.
quite oyerawed my father, even in the
midst of his agitation The maid was
shrieking Murder ; down in the
kitchen, and the apprentices had tumb-
led out from under the counter in the
shop, and were poking their noses
cautiously out, and kindly inquiring
who was killing her; and on every
landing up the stairs the dodgers wero
calling out to know what was the matter,
There was altogether terrible row in
the place.
The next house is on fire said my
father.
'It's only the old story said the
landlord. Run up stairs, my dear,
and tell them it's false alarCl,'
But it is not a false ALARM lays my
father { for I saw the flames and cav
the roof fall in, and l fear that lady ia
buried under the ruins. Why don't
you come and help her She had just
dropped her child into my arms when
the roof fell
The landlady then first set eyes on
the bundle, for her husband at that mo-
memt lighted candle from the rush.
light, which had very imperfectly illum-
mated the scene before.
A baby , says she.
sYes,' says my father and think
I'd better leave it with you, ma'am,
| while 80 ana enueaVor 10 ICScuc INC
mother
The woman did not spesk nor utter a
sound, but she just lifted up the shawl
from the child's face, and dropped down
like a lump of lead upon the floor, In
stead of attending to her, both my faith,
er and the landlord looked into the
shawl 1t contained the skeleton Of an
infant, wrapped up in the rags Of what
had been very costly garments. My
father felt very sick, and the landlord
staggered back against the wall, anc
dropped the candlestick out Of his hand
When the landlady fell ishe was ;
tall heavy woman, and gave the house I
good shake,) the maid screamed Muir
1er - louder than ever aud the IaE