The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-11-13
THE GOBLIN RECORD.
BY JOS. C. CANNING.

BY JOS. C.. CANNING.
Man, as well the lettered as the un-
lettered, is attracted by mystery. While
the educated one ridicules the extrava-
gance and the unchecked wildness of
Che ignorant brother in his persistent
chase after phantoms, he must confess
that the same ghost is playing wanton
with his own senses.
l have often been induced to investi-
gate delusions, although convinced that
was hunting a shadow, if not a silly
cheat. To dissipate all ideas in ones
mind of goblins, haunted houses, and
weird noises has required more philos-
Ophy than has yet been accepted. And
so we must admit that if there is not
cleverness in a mystery there is that in
1t which fascinates in spite of better
Judgment, and carris the OF 70OUOi be-
yOnd the control of reason, while they
listen with eager ears and excited
brains.
Tarrying at friends house, I was in
formed that there was an unOccupied
dwelling in the neighborhoOd fire.
quented by unseen spirits. It inter-
ested me, and shortly discovered that
his sister was anxious and even willing
cOrt and protector, and was accented.
The building was called the Redwood
mansion, formerly the property of an
old, aristOcratic family of the district.
The last inmates were too elderly ladies.
sisters of the Redwood lineage. For
years they had utterly refused commu-
nication with the world, and were char
Itably rated as eccentric. Their wants
were supplied by a slave of the butcher,
who passed, at regular hours, all the
necessaries of life through the gate of
the yard, and at each time found the
money and other orders. They had
been allowed their unsociaI whims
through the indulgence of a kind COM
munity and the esprit de corps of the
RedwOOds until dread circumstances
broke the living chain. The rector of
the parish, while passing one morning,
was attracted by means from the SOM
ber house, and forcing an entrance
found the eldest sister in dying agonies
and the other hurriedly racing the
apartment IN a state of frenzy. The
result was death to the one and the re-
moval of the survivor by distant rela-
tives.
Such was the history given TO me by
Miss E. She added "I have such a
strange desire to visit this mansion,
however foolish it may be-"
The dwelling was large, and in its
glory must have been as famous for its
grandeur as it was popular for its en-
tertainments when Col. Redwood with
his princely welcome was its courteous
lord, Now the walls were cracked, the
chimneys fallen, the windows broken,
md its aspect desolate. detected the
slightest tremor in the arm of nv COM
paniOn as we pushed into its silence.
The mold of neglect, the bat, the spi-
der IN her magnificent festoons,- tattered
wiudOw-hangings. and general decay
surrounded us. We could almost i'm
agine the gibbering of uneasy spirits at
our bold intrusion as we passed from
room TO room. Yet the stiffness of
charnel house only prevailed.
81 have heard" whispered Miss E,
"that there is an old desk, or cabinet,
which has never been removed. II
would be so novel and romantic to find
it and search for relics, perhaps treas
UTe." But no room contained it.
"The attic I" she exclaimed, "Dare
you go up and explore ?"
Z" If yOu do not wish to accompany
me and have the courage to remain
diOuVs WAC bLit ItDiSs
"Oh, then, co Bat" her voice
trembled. eyes go quickly and talk
to me constantly. I will not 60 up, but !
/ must know about it."
l ascen led the creaking flight and had |
Miss Z. that was busy at the |
drawers, when a scream from |
below startled me into nervousness.
1t was from Miss E., and instantly was /
at her side.
&" have had such fright p she said,
while the soft rose-like hue which |
danced in her cheeks gave way to ex-
treme pallor.
can appa-"
"Hush - she whispered, with a
finger to her mouth. 81 know am |
foolish, but I distinctly heard-there |
Did you not hear that ?-there!"
1t was even so heard footsteps.
Keep your courage" 1 replied. !
The noise of steps grew more distinct, |
aud fair head fell heavily upon my
shoulder.
Sometimes it happens that a bright,
idea takes the place of wan
ing hope and fearful uncertainty, acting |
as pendulum to the giddy brain and |
the shattered nerve Such relief came |
to my rescue, rendered as 1 was, hOrS
dc combat, and Miss E. to support.
Angry as l was, from the force of cir |
l laughed Looking ND
wildly, then inquisitively, Miss E.
sprang from me, exclaiming "What |
is it then? was frightened, ard Won
are cruel to make light of it -
A dilemma / certainly was in. Ap- |
pearances were against me, but my |
heart was not hard. I had laughed |
from thorough evaporation, for l was |
helpless. Could / have foated away |
with my charge I could then return and |
defy all the imps and goblins ever exor-
cised, and topple the wretched, moldy, |
ghostly old shell into utter ruins. It |
was at this crisis that a large, woolly |
head, with protruding eyes, a display of |
ivory, and breadth of lip, appeared at
the door.
"You black scoundred p I yelled,
do yOu know how you have frightened
Miss E.?"
"Gorry, massa ! Use right sorry"
"Never mind, SAM" interrupted
Miss E., "my wits have returned. /
am so glad it is you" It was her favor
ite servant.
We we're to hasten back to accom-
pany party to AnemOne Vale, beau
tiful spot beyond the town limits.
was not sorry neither did Miss e. re-
yret the change, nor the assurance
that the gOblins OF the Redwood man.
yia1 were not now likely to modest us.
' But did you find anything ?" she
eagerly asked. "'Wait and see ! " was
ny answer