The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-08-08
YyfEHEI ~.
my FRIGHT.

Wo-my 1athef, mOtnef, eight little
large Ehrec- STORY, ran BIissgs aid ffalilS
house, situated on the plank road leading
to the pleasant little village of c.. I
was number five in the brood of nine-- The
eldest, girl named Mary, was thirteen
first lieutenant to my mother, and bossed
the smaller ones accordingly. 5
One beautiful day in August my parents,
taking with them the two youngest of the
flock, started to visit o, neighbor some two
or three miles distant, giving ORDERS. as
usual, to tho "first lieutenant in regard to
what slOuld be done during their absence.
We spent the day frolieking about and
having n good time in general. while
the cat is away the mice will play you
know.
After eating our supper in the old
fashioned kitchen, we girls hurriedly
washed and put away the tea things. We
then all seated ourselves in a ring round
the room, prepared TO listen to a thrilling
ghost story my eldest brother had promised
us during supper time.
Allow me here to state that the kitchen
was ~ sort of side wing, and separated from
the main building by Q wide hall. -
This hall contained broad fight of
stairs which led TO oursleeping apart ents.
These rooms contained old fashioned brick
| fire. places. The front chamber, the largest
Of all, was used as lumber room. Here
was stored innumerable old trunks, and
discarded pieces of furniture. ]aiAs
The third story was reached by rickety
| flight of winding stairs. 1T consisted of
one large room and contained q rickety old
| we found there on taking possession Of the
house. -. a -,,a,.3...sv..;r .,l-.. ~
One and all of us nine declared this to
be the haunted room of the castle, from the
first moment we set eyes on 1t, and stunned
it accordingly.
My sister Hettie would tell long accounts
of the noises she heard when laying awake
the first night of our arrival.
The greatest punishment my mother
could inf1icG would be to shut one of US up
in this room for an hour or two for some
act of childish disobedience. A severe
hOggiDg would have been preferable any
time.
Brothers long story at last came to an
end. 1t was Immediately followed by
several other thrilling and blood-curdling
recitals. --.f..
We were very superstitious lot of
children. From our earliest infancy we
had been treated to tales Of ghosts and
hagbears.- Many were this nurse girls dis
charged for NO other reason than deiighting
in frightening and terrifying us in every
conceivable manner. / Was more easily
impressed with all these things than the
rest, being of q more siekly and nervous
disposition.
We had been listening to the stories in
the dark, the windows and doors being
all open, a. it was . very warm evening.
Nettie was in the middle Of . long
account Of some fresh sounds and sights
that she had seen and heard in the
haunted room, when we We're all started TO
our feet by the striking Of the hour Of nine
by the old clock in the sifting-room. We
.were all very much astoniahed at the
lateness Of the hour, and many declared it
was high time the little once were off TO
bed. No ono making smove, the lieutenant
at last rose, and Hmidly advancing to the
match safe, succeeded in lighting lamp,
at the same time telling me to take my
younger sister and go to bed.
We were never allowed a light in summer
weather, the moon or stars being consider
ed sufficient light for US to slip off our light
clothing, and jump into our snug little cot
bedstead which stood in one corner of my
mothers chamber. We advanced cautious
ly into the hall, followed by many injunc-
tiOns from Mary to "hurry up" or she
would never let us sit up SO late again.
On arriving at the foot of the stairs we
came to a stand still. We each wanted
the other to take tho lead. Mary, hearing
the noise, came forward, and, boxing my
ears, proceeded up the stairs, rapidly
followed by us. We were just entering
cur room when Mary exclaimed:
"What is that 7"
We held our breath and listened; present.
.
Mary left us and screaming, 4" Robbers
murder! thieves nat the top of her voice,
rushed down the stairs. We followed suit,
minus the screams, however.
On arriving at the kitchen we found it
deserted. The rest, on hearing Mary's
screams, had rushed into the yard. What
was to DO done. We one and all declared
there were robbers in the house. They
must have entered while we were engaged
in storytelling.
Our nearest neighbor was a Mr.. Sawyer.
ahnnt d qnarter of a mile distant 1t was
finally decided that Nettie and should
hasten with alispeed and get him to come
over. We found Mr.. Sawyer at home. He
laughed at our stories, and declared some
one must have come in on purpose to
Brighten us. He very readily returned with
us. We found my brothers and sisters all
huddled together little way down the
road. Mr. Sawyer took the lead, taking a
stout stick in his right hand, and the lamp
in the left, he advanced slowly up stairs,
cautiously peering about in every direction.
We all followed, with white, scared faces,