The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-04-12
MY MAD TEN ANT.

FIom Puck. =
amrather of an eccentric turn OF
mind-at least, so all my friends say,
and perhaps they are correct. when
I saw am eccentric, | do not mean
that dress in peculiarly cut clothes,
let nv hair fall on my shoulders IN
matted locks, or show an aversion Tor
soap and water. On the contrary, |
don't think you will find more tidy
old bachelor than myself anywhere.
NV eccentritv is shown in inordinate
love for the mysterious. AS a boy l
ruined my eyesight by reading terri
BILE tragedies, horrible histories, hid
cons homicides, and strange stories.
These would repeat to my nurse,
Janet Gruesome, plain and simple
might say very plain and simple
country girl. holding her by my bed
side of a night, shiveling with cold
and terror as she listened.
Life was full of misfortune for me
until was turned forty, when mys-
terious uncle Of mine who had lett
home whilst | was still baby, died IN
Australia, and lett me the sole heir to
his vast wealth. [ instantly settled
with my creditors, and taking my
"nurse" and my romances, started for
the country, determined to wander
about and seek for the marvellous.
One day | came across vast gloomy
mansion that exactly suited my fancy
It was weird and ghostly building,
with whispering voices in its ivy-clad
walls. doors that opened directly they
were shut, and shut directly they were
opened. Long corridors lighted by
narrow windows led into recesses, SO
that on moonlight nights the shadows
of the tall trees outside took spectral
shapes, and seemed pointing with bOny
fingers to spots where deeds OF VIC
lence had been done whilst the with
cred branches tapped eagerly against
the window. panes, as if they were
houseless ghosts wishing to take III
their abode in this mysterlo us man
sion. | was delighted, anu determln
ed to take it at once. The agent wa
soon found, and the terms agreed upon
but there was one clause IN the leas
which did not like ; it was even to
mysterious to please me. BY 1t tn
superior landlord, Mr.. Thomas Ba
combe, held all rights over one roor
on the first floor, a small chamber, tn
shutters and door were securely faster
ed. | inquired the reason OF this, bt
the agent could give me no poSltlV
information. He believed the rool
contained the family papers and pc
traits. and that Balcombe had locke
them up for security.
.But," said |, Z" it is SO mysterlo'
to have a sort Of Bluebeard chamb'
in your house" :,
81 quite agree with you, sir, +
piled the agent land told Mr.. Ba
combe so but he is a strange ma
and will have his own way. It's nea
ly twenty years now since that roo
was locked up. At first it made
great noise in the village, and stran
stories were circulated but that so'
died out, and except telling the
stories at Christmas time, or when
stranger asks for them, they are new
heard. Sometimes people come for
picnic in the wood yonder, and go
see the haunted house, as they call
but | never let them in. never hea
it was really haunted.
We agreed eventually as to tern
and in couple of weeks arrived fr
town, bringing with me Janet CIR
some, two maid-Servants, and some
plate and jewelry my uncle had
me.
1t was avery dreary night wher
arrived at the "Yews,' as my u
abode was called. But | was hal
enough. A CHEEKY fire was lighted
the oak-paneled room, and whilst
servants prepared my supper, unpa
ed the plate, and arranged it on
sideboard to make the place i
brighter. When had done this
finished my supper. drew an
chair to the fire, mixed my
q stiff glass of something warm,
my meerschaum-pipe,a and common
reading one of my most favorite t
of terror and imagination. had
reached the most thrilling situat
when the parlor door was thrown
lentlv open, and Janet Gruesome n
ed into the room.
.sMaster," she whispered in tt
bling tones, ''the secret door is o.
and it's coming out"
ats coming out p cried, 'Wh
coming out ~
1.-The ghost, master; it's coming d
stairs a-following of me-"
"Then shut the door. you idiot,
claimed, for to tell the truth | n