The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1874-08-27
THE GOBLIN RECORD.
BY JOS. c. CANNING.

Man, as we'll the lettered rs the un-
lettered, is attracted by mystery. While
the educated one ridlcules the extrava-
gance and the unchecked wildness OF
the ignorant brother in his persistent
chase after phantoms, he must confess
that the same ghost is playing wanton
with his own senses.
I have often been induced to investi-
gate delusions, although convinced that
[ was hunting a shadow, if not 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
ceverness in mystery there is that in
it which fascinates in spite of better
Judgment, and carries the OF )OllOj be-
yond the control of reason, while
they listen with eager ears and excited
brains.
Tarrying at a friends house, l was
informed that there was an unoccupied
dwellingin the neighborhood frequented
by unseen spirits. 1t Interested me,
and / shortly discovered that his sister
was anxious and even willing to visit it.
| offered myself as an escort and pro-
tector, and was accepted. The ulding
was called the Redwood mansion, for
merly the property of an old, aristo-
cratic family of the district. The last
inmates were two elderly ladies, sisters
of the Redwood lineage. For years
they had utterly refused communication
with the world, and were charitably
rated as eccentric. Their wants were
supplied by 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 unsocial whims
through the indulgence of kind oom
munitv and the esprit 2o 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
Der house, and forcing an entrance
found the eldest sister in dying agonies
and the other hurriedly pacing the
apartment in state of frenzy. The
result was death of the one and the re-
moval of the other by distant relatives.
Such was the history given to me by
Miss Il. She added: 81 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 It's
grandeur as it was popular for its enter
tainments when Col. Redwood with
his princely welcome was its courteous
lord. Now the walls were cracked, the
chimneys fallen, the windows broken,
and its aspect desolatc. | detected the
slightest tremor in the arm of my com.
panion as we pushed into its silence
The mold of neglect, the bat, the spi.
der IN her magnificent festoons, tattered
window.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.
"I have heard" whispered Miss II.
"that there is an old desk, or cabinet,
which has never been removed. 1t
would be so novel and romantic to find
it and search for relics, perhaps treas
ure." But no room contained it.
"The attic - she exclaimed. Dare
you 90 up and explore"
IF you do not wish to accompany
me and have the courage to remain
alone" was the reply.
"Oh, then, go! But" her voice
trembled. eyes go quickly and talk
to me constantly. l will not go up, but
I must know about it."
I ascended the creaking flight and
had informed Miss f. that / was busy
nj the discovered drawers, when q
scream from below startled me into
nervousness. II was from Miss E., and
instantly I was at her side. -,
81 have had such fright y 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 Tin
GER to her mouth. 81 know l am fool
isb but distinctly heard-there
Did YOU not hear that ?-there y
II was even so! 1 heard footsteps
Keep your courage" l replied
The noise of steps grew more distinct
and a fair head iell heavily on my
shoulder. TT.
Sometimes it happens that bright
courageous idea takes the place OF wan
inc hone and fearful uncertainty, actinf
,,endnlum TO the giddy brain anC
tbe shattered nerve. Such relief CANT
to nv rescue, rendered as | was, nor
de combat, and Miss E. to supper. p
Angry as was, from the force OF cir
cnmstances, 1 laughed Looking ~
wildly. then inquisitively, Miss E
sprang Wmay' from me, e.claimiDg,: " "wha a.
;s il then? was frightened, and yo'
are cruel to make light OF t|
u" A dilemma I certainly was in. APP
pearances were against me, me, on. 5a,,oh m; n;
from thorough evaporation, Tor 1 wa
I-loss Could I have hOateQ ava