Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-02
hin him; ;.,, They removed the plan and placed


MN. They removed the plan and placed
| the ladder in its stead
They each seemed unwilling 20 ventura
up the ladder first. But az length MI.
Dorothy started, followed closely BY
father and the Others. GA entering the
first apartment, nothing was seen b1t The
old ladder steps leaning against the wall
dust and cobwebs. The door of the pe,l,
room was closed, but Mr.. Dorothy aujcE-
ly threw it open.
The great tim ca met them at The
threshold prepared 80 attack the invaders
of his rights. Bat Mr. Dorethy's pistol
soon silenced him forever. He was the
sole occupant of the room
There was some straw in one corner
that had been used as a bed, and the
missing bedelothes were piled in hesp
upon II. There was the lost sheet, stained
with tie poke berries stolen from Cloe's
pantry. Ashes were on the hearth, aud
an old dirty saucer on the mantle with q
piece OF muddy bread, snd rancid meat
IN it. But the ghost had fed, and his
late companion the great tom cat ley
bloody corpse upon the floor.
Learning against the wall in the first
room stood the old ladder, by which his
ghOstship had ascended and descended
to the lower rooms, drawing it I'D after
him when he entered the garnet. The
broad plank had been placed there to con-
ceal the trick; and the drawing up of this
ladder caused the grating noise which
always followed his flight up the plank.
he had made his escape by sliding down
this plank.
We were troubled by the ghost no
more, and the haunted house made veiy
pleasant abode for us for many years
after.
After many months had past, Chloe re-
lated TO mother the secret of the terrible
ghost. He revealed himself to Chloe the
night after Mr.. Dorothy and father
watched for him. He was g fugitive
slave of Dr.. Dorethy's, and had lived in
the garnet for nearly four years. He had
been waiting man in the billiard saloon,
attending on the gamblers and players
who frequeDted the place, bringing them
their drinks from the bar, for years before
MIR. Dorothy left the house. For some
small offense his master had punished
him severely with the lash, and he ran
away, taking up his abode in the garnet
after Mr.. Dorothy moved out. HIS cat
had been his only companion. He was
scantily fed by the slaves in the neigab1r-
hood, who gave him such fool as they
could manage to convey TO him, and
some times bringing him old clothes.
He had personated the ghost of the
murdered man very well, and caused
many a good renter to pass the house
without looking over il. He obtained his
wood and coal for winter use from
the cellars beneath the house, where
his MISTER deposited it during the summer.
Thus he had mansged to keep body and
soul together for near five years, without
being detected.
He had overheard Mr.. Dorothy say
that he would bring ladder ard examine
the garnet, and so resolved TO make his
escape, and reveal himself 20 Chloe, So
liciting aid.
She gave him suit of my fathers old
clothes, some cold meat and bread, and
babe him begOne, glad to be rid of his
presence in the house.
Where he went, we never knew. Mr.
Dorothy never csught the fugitive.
]. A. s.