The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-11-08
For TIE Sunday Cresosntl
STRANGE, BUT TRUE.

STRANGE BUT TRUE.
TWAS in the year 1856 that the singular scene I
am about to relate occurred. l had been ordered
a change of climate by my physician IL bsioG
deemed necessary for my health that should seek
colder one than our Southern home. decided
upon going to the State Of -, as had spent
several months there when girl, and found the
climate delightful and the people hospitable. I
will not take you through the details OF my trip
up the river, nor OF my stay at the hotel of lit
tie village. while seeking place in the country
that would combine the comforts of home
not always being the case that the three are
united. At last decided upon an old farm house
about three miles from town, where / could find
all that could wish for, and was not at all de-
tered by the fact that the old farm house was
called haunted. and that the old family to whom
it bad belonged for generations had sold it be
cause the last MISTRESS after terrible fright that
cause6 q severe and nearly fatal illness, had de-
claied that live there any longer she would not.
The room given me was large one, with long
windows on three sides reaching to tie floor, with
a little balcony before each window, peculiarly
of construction in that part of the country that
often caused remark. found that it hung over
the garden or grounds around the house, seeming
to j1t out from the second story, and had no room
beneath ia queer conceit in building thought
but that was all the impression II made upon me.
II was handsomely furnished, somewhat as bed
room. and partly as sitting room. A heavy old
hung with rich crimson silk curtains, looped back
with golden bands to the carved posts. An old
fashioned pier glass extended from floor to cell.
ing, opposite the foot of the bedstead. An organ
seemed built in the wall between two Of the win
dows. dark crimson velvet carpet. two or
three deep cushioned chairs. that one would be
lost in dressing table, writing table, with hang
ing shelves for books; and, to complete the
quaint and old fashioned look Of the room, was an
antique oaken chest, that ct once attracted me
by the superb carving on 1t representing scene
in Milton, when Satan is hurled from the battle
ments of Heaven. I'D
The excitement of moving out and getting set
tied had utterly tagged me out. and was too
weary TO spend much time in specializing over
the room and its old.time garniture, and early
sought rest in the spacious bed whose dreamy
softness was inexpressibly comfortable. Dis.
missing my maid, l soon sank 10 sleep. How
long slept do not know, when was awakened
by the passing OF soft, cold hand over my face.
/ sprang up in the bed, but could not see any
one. Throwing back the silken folds gazed out
into the room. The faint light thrown out by the
dying embers of the wood fire made everything
plainly visible in the room, casting out deep
shadows from the furniture, that looked weird
and fantastic. A low, solemn sound Of sweet mu.
sic that seemed around the bed and filling the
room, made me think in the daze of the moment
L that was in cathedral, when l recol
lected the organ. Looking there I saw q
fair, beautiful woman. whose bands did not seem
to move; and yet that the organ gave out those
soft, solemn sounds could not mistake.
"Who are you !'' asked addressing her. Re.
ceiving no answer, got up and walked over TO
her. l simply thought it was one of the family.
though / wondered at her disturbing stranger
and also how she got in, knowing that had
locked the only door leading into the room. As
approached her she slowly turned her head and
fixed upon me her large eyes-that had look
had never seen in eyes before. glow like that of
PHOSPHORUS, or of fire that was at a white heat,
and rising from the chair she slowly retreated to
the chest, and there disappeared.
Well, said that is strange. did not feel alarm
ed; simply startled at the oddness of her disappear
snce. | examined the door, found it locked, the
windows we'll closed, and nothing displaced in the
room, and concluding that had only been dream.
ing laid down again, and soon dropped of to dream
land again felt the soft cold hand pressing my
brow, q cool damp air seemed playing over my
face, and the soft sweet music filled the room, and
there at the organ sat the same fair woman had
seen before. This time determined to 60 up
of ped, walked up to the chair, and as came
close TO it the woman faded from it, and when
reached it il was empty. i turned quickly towards
chest. and there she stood. and pointing to the
chest she faded away into dim shadow and then
was gone.
did feela little puzzled and yet not frightened.
went up to the chest and found could not open
il, nor yet could get il away from the wall to
which it was attached with strong brass bolts.
There was,no key.hole apparent and concluded
that il opened and closed with spring. I'm
in haunted room, as il is called, else the strong
tea tonight has played queer pranks with my
nerves. l said; " at all events. in the morning
shall ask some questions about the room aud
chest" And again | sought my bed. and this
time bad no interruption, but slept quietly and
calmly until the rap of my maid upon the door
aroused me.
AS entered the breakfast parlor, I thought nay
hostess looked little nervously at me as she in
quired after my health and now | had rested du.
ring the night, etc., but ! simply replied, Very
WE'LL" and waited until after we were through
breakfast, and then asked my host If he and his
wife would please 60 up to my room for minute
or so, and not awaiting an answer | led the way
10 it. followed by them, though evidently reluc.
family.
Asking them to be seated told them of the
night before, and requested an explanation and
then they told me that the sight l had witnessed
had occurred in that room for years, but only at
intervals that il had been the reason why the for
mer owners had parted with it; the second wife
of the gentleman owning it had selected that room
on her first coming home as bride, for her bed
chamber, and had nearly lost her reason aud her
life from seeing the same thing that had appeared
to me. "Did you ever look into the chest ?" /
said. Eyes, they had often; it opens with a
spring, and the former owner said he did not take
II simply because neither 1t nor the organ could be
moved without injury to the walls OF the house."
Z" Well | think that about that chest you will
find the reason for that appearance. and were i
you, should have 1t moved, even If it did injure
the walls TO do So" But they thought it would
be pity to do so as the appearance was not FREE
quent and could be endured better than the ex
pense OF removing chest and organ and repairing
the damage to the walls. And as did not care
to occupy a room on shares with a shade that
would waken me by such pranks, left the farm
house that day. So you see have seen ghost,
or what would be called one. ELIZABETH.