The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1874-08-28
THE GOBLIN RECORD.
BY JOS, C. CANNING.

Man. as well the lettered as the IN
lettered, is attracted by mystery. While
the educated one ridicules 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 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
it which fascinates in spite of a better
Judgment, and carries the OF 90OEl0i be-
Yond the control of reason, while
they listen with eager ears and excited
brains.
Tarrying at friends house, I was
informed that there was an unoccupied
dwellingint theneighborhood frequented
by unseen spirits. It interested me,
and I 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 luilding
was called the Redwood mansion, for
merIy 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 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 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
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 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 enter
tainments when Col. Redwood with
his princely welcome was its courteous
lord. Now the walls we're cracked, the
chimneys fallen, the windows broken,
| and its aspect desolate. I detected the
/ slightest tremor in the arm of my com.
panion as we pushed into its silence
| Themold of neglect, the bat, the spi-
! der IN her magnificent festoons, tattered
window -hangings, and general decay
! surrounded us. We could almost i'm
| aQine the gibbering of uneasy spirits at
/ our bold intrusion as we passed from
room to room. Yet the stiffness OF q
charnel house only prevailed.
'I have heard, F." whispered Miss q.
"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
ure." But no room contained it.
''The attic !" she exclaimed. Dare
you go up and explore ?"
eff you do not wish to accompany
me and have the courage to remain
alone" was the reply.
"Oh, then, go! But her voice
trembled. "Yes go quickly and tall
to me constantly. / will not go up, bu
must know about it. :"
I ascended the creaking fight anG
had informed Miss z. that was busy
at the discovered drawers, when /
scream from below startled me int
nervousness. It was from Miss E., anl
instantly I was at her side.
'sI have had such fright" she said
while the soft rose-like hue which
danced in her cheeks gave way to ex
treme pallor.
60 An appa-"
"Hush !" she whispered, with fin
ger to her mouth. CT know I am fool
ish, but I distinctly heard-there
Did you not hear that ?-there -
It was even so! I heard footsteps
"Keep your courage" replied
The noise of steps grew more distinct
and a fair head tell heavily on m
shoulder.
Sometimes it happens that bright
courageous idea takes the place of waT
: ing hope and fearful uncertainty, actin
! as a pendulum to the giddy brain an
the shattered nerve. Such relief cam
to nv rescue, rendered as I was, hOT
: de combat, and Miss E. to support
! Angry as was, from the force of Gil
! cumstances, I laughed Looking II
wildly, then inquisitively, Miss Z
sprang from me, exclaiming: Whs
is it then? was frightened, and 20
are cruel to make light of it -
3 A dilemma I certainly was IN. Az
pearances were against me, but m
T heart was not hard. I had laughe
: from thorough evaporation, for I wa
I helpless. Could I have foated ava
/ with my charge I could then II
: turn and defy al the imps and goblin
, ever exercised, and topple thewretcheC
S moldy, ghostly old shell into utte
{ ruins. It was at this crisis that larg'
. woody head, with protruding eyes,
: display of ivory, and breadth of lii
s appeared at the door.
) S'You black scoundrel - I yelled
! {. do you know how you hsyefrghtene
r Miss z. p"
''Gorry, massa Use right sorry
4" Never mind, Sam, - interrupted Mil
s E, q my wits have returned. I am s
: glad it is you" Itwas her favorite Sc
want.