The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-27
For the New Orleans Crsseent-l
THE HAUNTED HOUSE.
BY FLORA BELLE.
BY FLORA BELLE.

"weI, IL seems we are fated to remain her.
all nigtt-sit up, too-for the captain declares hs
has not an inch of spare room on the entire wharf
boat. FIR us, who are accustomed to soldiers
life, to sleep lying down or standing up, makes
but little difference but what to do for you two
young lsdies-there's the troubled Can YOU
fertile brains suggest anything, little sister,"
No, they positively cannot. All can do now
is to bewail the distressing predicament in which
we are paced. Why will bridges break, bayoui
overflow, and" lowering her voice, boats be
crowded when we have special use for state
rooms! Agnes, darling, "-Nettie Sherwood
turned to lovely brunette reclining on a luxuri
Gus sofa at R. Landing" fear you will form
but poor opinion of coast life; but pray don't
judge it by your first introduction. 1t is too bad
declare. Here have been promising you such
delightful times on uncle's suger plantation,
splendid rides and drives on the smooth levees,
and here the first news that greets US is that they
are all washed away; drives and levees, too,
bridges included. and perfectly impossible for us
to get away from here tonight. To make matters
worse, the captain says the boat is so crowded
that there's not even the shadow of q bed to be
had"
why, my dear Nettie. what long speech and
IL,
smiling, over such a trifing matter as one
nights detention. Don't distress your kind, little
heart about me, pray. will trust you for all the
enjoyment you have promised me, and more, too.
really sympathize with you In not meeting your
uncle and aunt; but tomorrow the pleasure will
be just as great. Is there no plantation near
where we could procure accommodations for the
Dightf'
None at all, Miss Agnes" said Harry sher.
wood, ON account of the frequent falling in Of
the leveee, the planters have their homes removed
at least q mile or two from the river bank, and it
within that distance the bayous we have to cross
are situated"
"Oh, Nettie,n called some of her friends, who
were on the boat waiting for the next steamer,
'we'n tell you where you can get excellent ac-
commodations, good beds, handsome furniture,
suffering for want of use and airing, and not more
than quarter OF mile from here"
"Oh, / am so glad. Now Agnes, we are all
right tell US where the place is and we will start
Immediately said Nettie.
The Haunted House." uttered a voice in such
tragic tone as to thrill her with terror.
The Haunted House ]" echoed Nette and
Agnes.
'' True" said the speaker, such is it's reputa-
ton, and if you wish will tell you all know of
it, though then perhaps yon may not care to go
there"
"Do, please, tell it, we are all ready for ghost
story" cried several with our friends eager for
the marvellous, as human nature always is.
"A year or two before the late war broke out"
home OF two happy beings-Mr. Archer and his
young wife, to whom he had been united but a
short time. None but the fond husband seemed
ignorant OF the waning life of Mrs. Archer-the
CHASTITY finger of consumption had marked her for
its victim. and she fast leaving all her earthly
happiness, husband, parents all. Twas hard for
her TO leave them, and when her husband, at last
awakened TO the terrible loss which lay before
him, would clasp her 10 his arms and beseech her
not 10 leave him she would moan,
"'Oh, ieannot, cannot leave you, Raymond. the
grave itself seems powerless to keep me from
you.'"
.'At last nature succumbed, and the casket that
held the soul Of the idoZed wife rested under the
willows of the parish cemetery. Soon strange
stories were alOat concerning Woodsde while
the distracted husband held aloof from all human
sympathy. the servants gave circulation to startling
accounts Of groans and mournful cries, heard
nightly since the death of Miss Amy.
Strange to say. there were many. who pas
sing by, and remaining there over night. would
confirm these tales, adding that it was always at
midnight the sounds occurred one of the strang-
ers started in terror from his bed, but looking
carefully around, could find nothing earthly to
warrant his fears. Our soldiers we're qusrtered
near there for some time but daring as they were
IN confronting death, even at the lannon's mouth,
they recoiled in terror from an encounter with a
visitant from the land of shadows. Brave men in
passing looked askance atthe Haunted House, and
voluntarily or involuntarily, the horse quickened
his movements until past It's precincts
"At last ii became q current report, aside from
the servants tales. that Woodside was haunted by
the dead wife, who returned at midnight to visit
her husband, and would utter those wailing cries
when compelled TO leave him.
" In the midst Of these ghostly stories Mr.
Archer left Woodside in charge of an ovarseer
and tried the efficacy of travelling in subdung his
grief but not long after came news of his death,
and the property passed to the next heir who is
the present owner. He has only been there once
to look at II, but It is uncertain whether his dis.
taste to living on the plantation is due TO the loss
of slave labor or stories of the ghost.
The war stopped all work, and Woodside I'M
cared for and neglected, has gradually fallen to
decay; the house is still good and the furniture
of Mrs. Archer remains untouched, its ghosty
reputation being its best protection, no caring
to disturb property perhaps used by unearthy
visitants. Now you have the history OF the place.
do you still entertain an idea of sleeping there,
Miss Nettie 2"
al! not for the world; III think about ghosts
for week to come, I'm sure" and Nettie shud-
dered IN fsncied terror. g. Harry, you shan't
leave me, not even to help Agnes rout the
spirits; she don't believe in anything of the
kind, and it would be just like her to want to see
what's going on at that deserted place; but
won't P, rmIt it,
"Ob Miss Agnes, don't think of staying in the |
Haunted House, you might get punished for it,"
said some one.
"Now think Of it, said Helen Plat. tauntiur-
ly, "Agnes might set us all example of brave |
~, and sleep there, by herself, too; she always |
used to have such contempt for US poor towards,
when we were at school together, let's see If she
is afraid of anything now. Are you, Agnes,
darling"
The young lady addressed flushed slightly, as
che answered:
al don't see what there is to be afraid of,
Helen; you know don't believe there are such
things as ghos's, and Of course can't fear them"
" Then will you prove your bravery, and sleep
at Woodside to-nightg' persisted Helen, land you
cen tell rs all about your midnight visitors in the
morning say, Aggie. will you go! II you don't
wen all think your courage is only in theory and
you're as great a coward as any Of u.s."
Agnes hestated moment; then said
Certainly, If you wish to know what is going
on there to crafty your curiosity, will sleep at
Woodeide, but not because you will consider me
a coward IL don't go. Some Of you, though,
must accompany me there, and then you can
leave me till morning."
All exclaimed loudly against such proceed
ing, and Nettie declared If Agnes went to the |
Haunted House, she herself, and Brother Harry, |
too, would go with her, although the very idea |
almost threw her into spasms. and the reality she
knew she would never survive.
As a natural consequence opposition and en- |
treaty only strengthened Miss DuSsrchett IN her |
determination, and finally she had her own way, |
promising her friends they should see her safely |