Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-12-25
ELECTED BY A GHOST.

l had taken my chamber in Gray's
inn-sguare. and was inclined to like /
them These were on the second |
floor, and consisted of three rooms. /
The door on the landing opened on 10 /
a narrow passage, at the END OF when |
on the right, was the door OF the SIT /
tingrOOm, the three windows OF which |
looked on a dingy green e1Pahse, /
where stood a few tall gaunt London /
trees. In one corner Of the sitting |
room was d gCQr leading into the bed
room, which communicated with a |
dressingrOOm. This dressingro0ai /
had a door leading into the end OF the |
passage, TO thS left of the main en- /
trance from the landing. Thus l |
could make the complete circuit OF
nv premis6s{ from the sittiugroOm,
through the bed and dreSsingrOoms
into the passage, into the sittingroom
again, | am anxious to be understood
on this point, as a realization Of the
tOpOgraph of the place Is necessary
for the comprehension of the incidents
have to relate.
viii premise by assuring my
reader that at the time of which L am
speaking l was in thorough physical
health. As is the case with most
sucking barristers, l rather prided
myself on cultivating habit OF mind
that should not permit me to be un-
duly impressed by causes unWarrdnted
by calm reflection. l had been ac-
customed to a sedentary, to some eX-
/ tent a solitary life, and in moving TO
Gray's inn-square had determined to
/ appiv myself unremittingly to legal
studies,
NV new chambers had been unOc-
cupied for some months and after
making sure that they had been well
cleaned and scrubbed, l sent in my
| furniture and took possession. 1t was
on a chill, dark October evening that,
/ after dining at an accustomed eating
house, l wended my way to my new
quarters. l shall never forget that
| evening; there was a heavy, clammy
feeling in the air of the streets, and as
! turned into the dreary square the
air seemed heavier and clammler.
On arriving at my chambers, l found
the deaf, spirit-sodden old creature
who had attached herself to me as
! laundress and charwoman, in the act
of setting out the tea things. The
lamp was lighted, and bright nre
burned in the CRATE. On my coming
in, the old woman mumoled rev
words. the meaning Of which L did
not catch; however, well pleased
with the air of comfort she haq llQ-
narted TO the place, | wished her a
eheery good night as she went out.
Having closed and locked the outer
door | returned down the passage ln-
m HE sittingroom. / can perfectly
call to mlad its appearance Oh tAd'
NIGHT The p0iisuea furniture wa
cleaning and glistening IN the hSht
fIe windows were veiled by thick cur
tains and the door leading into th'
bedroom stood ajar. l congratulated
myself on my possessions, ana nav
mo poured myself out q cup OF tea
and lighted my pipe, settled aysel
with a volume of Hallam in an arm
chair by the fire. / had been reading
for some time, my attention ha'
Sonevhat wandered to vague
sIaenv consideration of matters nc
ii. strictly relevant 10 constitutional ms
tory. when | became aware OF
strange. all perYading senSatiol =
cold. The sensation was so sudden
20 acute. that l rose from my clal
shiyering, in the expectation OF nnu
ing one of the windows open. bOu O
no; they were all closed ana faSteheo
: Through the panes l could discer
the gaunt branches OF the trees, ~
stirred by any gust OF wlnd. v
;; glancing round the room, notice
the flames of the lamp, which thoug
somewhat dim, did not seem agitate
q by the icy stream of air which chile
if me to the bones. The bedroom door, as