The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-08-14
THE GOBLIN RECORD.
BY JOS. @. CANNING.

Man, as well the lettered as the un-
lettered, is attracted by mystery.
While the educated one ridicules the
extravaganza and the unchecked wild
ness of the ignorant brother in his per-
sistent chase after phantoms, he must
confess that the same ghost is playing
wanton with his own senses.
/ have often been induced 10 investi-
gate decisions, although convinced that
/ was hunting a shadow, If not silly
cheat. To dissipate all ideas in ones
mind of COLLINS, 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
it which fascinates in spite of a better
Judgment, and carries the OF pOyl0i be-
yond the control of reason, while
they listen with eager ears and excited
brains.
Tarrying at a friends house, 1 was
informed that there was an unoccupied
dwelling i'll the ueighborhood fire.
quented by unseen spirits. 1t inter-
ested me, and l shortly discovered that
his sister was anxious and even willing
to visit it. l offered myself as an es-
cort and protector, and was accepted.
The building was called the Redwood
mansion, formerly the property of an
old, aristocratic family of the district.
The last inmates were two elderly
ladies, sisters of the Redwood lineage.
For years they had utterly refused COM
munication with the world, and were
charitably 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 unsocial
whims through the indulgence of kind
community 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
Der house, and forcing an entrance
found the elder sister in dying agonies
and the other hurriedly pacing the
apartment in state of frenzy. The
result was death to the one and the re-
moval of the survivor by distant rela-
ives.
Such was the history given to me by
Miss E.. She added Il have such
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 en-
ertainments when Col. Redwood with
his princely welcome was its courteous
ord. Now the walls were cracked, the
himneys fallen, the windows broken,
nd it's aspect desolate. 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 inn
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. 1t
would be so novel and romantic to hnd
it and search for relics, perhaps treas
ure." But no room contained 1t.
"The attic !" she exclaimed. Dare
you go up and explore ?"
4" If you 90 not wish to accompany me
and have the courage to remain alone,
was the reply.
ooh, then, gol But" her voice
trembled. Eyes go quickly and talk
to me constantly. / will not go up, but
must know about it.
l assembled the creaking Eight and had
informed Miss e. that / was busy at
the discovered drawers, when scream
from below startled me into nervousness
IL was from Miss E., and instantly
was at her side.
- have had such a fright r. she
said, while the soft rose-like hue which
treme pallor.
An appa-"
Hush = she whispered, with a
finger to her mouth. 81 know I am