Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1868-11-13
an Gutgre:s'ting agtory.
LINWOOD GRANGE.

LINW00D GRANGE.
s5a Closely We huddled qaround the high
old fireplace that cold and cheerless De-
cember night. Eagerly the bright flames
shot up the spacious chimney, throwing a
soft, mellow light over. the room. and
lighting up each sbadowy corner. The
wind blew 6ercely, twisting and swapping
the boughs of the aged locusts, as if toy
ing with mere saplings. s.z,z
1t was just the night for ghostly hor-
rors, and our minds seemed to linger fond
ly upon the supernatural.
The midnigbt-hour was close upon us,
yet We made no motion to leave our cozy
seats. unwilling to leave the glowing fire
for our cold beds. 500 ~'.,ta ei'ns'. T..'ii
- We were five in number. nurse Rivers.
cousin lizzie Nellie, Virgie, and T.
Each had her story to tell Of ghostly hor-
ror, and ...goblins damned ,.as:q II
nurse, comes your turn !; tell US
a true story, of something which happened
when you were girl pleaded Nell. 'edg-
ing up to her. aud laying her arm caress-
ingly around the back of the chair on
which sat nurse. - r - : I "'''
/, Nurse Rivers was a Scotchwoman of
middle age, unmarried. and had lived in
our family ever since our remembrance,
watching over us children with mothers
solicitude, and acting in the capacity of
governess till we were old enough to be
sent away to school. '1'' - ..l'. - ',',. 3
Having a firm belief in the supernatu-
ral, many were the chilling tales she pour
ed into our ears Of gbostly visits, causing
US to go scuddipg through the wide halls,
after dark, as if a legion of wierd spirits
were upon US. s.,asa sqa al., ~ e,as-h
This wild, December night of which
I speak, was the last of our stay at the
old homestead in dear old Virginia, pre-
yioes 70 our departure for school, for we
were home only for the holidays.
- Yes, nurse. do tell us something to
make the hair stand upright with horror"
chimed< in Virgie, who delighted in the
!. Il ~. ,h,;sis g.s;@5 s.taGl' s..@ u @i5f3t
z7tt -piifi 80 - n't.lt i1s'li 'ii'
-'i'.Ah. dearies, many are the tales, and
'ower true that could tell which would
make the young blood to curdle in your.
veins but the hour is late, and you must
away to bed. Have you forgot the song.
I taught you when you were children,
'early to bed, early to rise p
..Oh, dear nurse, just one story just
one" "as pleaded Aud she SMILED Find
" upon US and resumed her seat TEL
us the story connected with Linwood
Grange. nurse" | coaxed. for many were
the rumors concerning the strange sights
and sounds to be seen and heard at mid
night at Linwood-a gloomy old palace
within stones throw of our home. 4, 1
i''Pm afraid it will make you more tim
id, my children. Even now you start
and glance fearfully around if the locust
boughs but touch the window pane"
Eagerly We promised to guard against
any feeling Of timidity which might arise /;
and, taking off her spectacles' and draw
ing near to the fire she began: ,aa'
II was very young girl when I left,
with my parents, our little cottage home
in bonuy Scotland. Defrauded of their
right. my parents we're left sufficient to
bring them to the shores Of free America.
With willing hands and steady hearts they
began life anew. Unable to support me
in idleness they sought and obtained for
me nurses place in the family Of your
father--turning to Nell and I. I had not
lived here long when strange rumors
reached my ears concerning the neighbor;
ing grand old house I never, tired of gaz4
ing upon, Many are, the times I have
stood without the gates longing. yet fear
ing to enter the, grounds, Flowers bloom
ed here in gorgeods beatty and entranc.
ing fragrance but to droop and die .lunuol
ticed7; and il seemed to me that ell thhe
birds loved best to perch on the trees ol
Linvood lawn. singing. their merriest and
sweetest songs, e i trying 70 bjg drive away
by their g1tsy snnsny presence ns the gloon which
hung over the old mansion ike 2 pall- ]
used to muse over the history Of the place
and ID in ny idle ts. hours dream that i was
the enchanted q I flgs castle ,qf the lougTago
where slept the, ibeauteQqs princess anc
her maids and entire household, until tht
coming Of the victorious prince whooshoulc
awaken his lady faire with the kiss .
| loyo. tJa,1 .e7sf
'All the servants, for miles around