Connecticut western news., 1877-05-11
My Grandmother's Ghost Story. ..v !.
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We were seated around the ire, 1n the old oak-panelled parlor, tired out after a long days skating, and tho roughly enjoying the quiet and repose and the comfort and warmth of the do- nestle hearth, in a sleepy, cat-like fashion, when Jack, my eldest brother, rousing himself with a stretch and 8 mighty yawn, exclaimed, 'sWhy, girls, how quiet you all are! Are you quite done up? Can't any one sing nice pathetic ballad, or good jolly hunting song?-or can't any one of you play something ?-No?-a too tired? We'll, who will tell us a good ghost story?"
 Rubbish, Jack! A ghost story who believes such fo1lies ?'' replied Geraldine. We are quite above such nonsense in these practical matter-of- fact days"
 "Ah," replied Jack, with a long drawn sigh, lis there no faith left on the earth? Oh, these degenerate days! Are all the charming tales we used to shudder at so delightfully."- in the days of our childhood utter bosh ?-does not one amongst us, in his or. her secret soul, nurse fond, lingering, uncen- fessed belief in the shadowy world of ghosts, hobgoblins, fairies or spirits ?''
 q do,'o interrupted our grandmother, ssYou, granny?" exclaimed chorus of astonished voices.
 & Yes, children, I 'do,' replied the old lady, looking at us over her spec tacles in a very dignified manner.
 Now, my grandmother was the last person should have accused of beliey ing in the supernatural. A strong minded, strong-bodied old lady, some what on the wrong side of seventy; z ooA %o P,,, handsome still in her old age; and the clear-cut nose and brow, and decided mouth and chin, forbade the notion of weakness or credulity being leading features in her character.
 'You believe in ghosts, grandma ?' said little Alice at length; "and in fairies, too?"
 "In wraiths, corpse lights, and fetiches ?'' laughed Geraldine.
 "Nay-I did not say that," replied my grandmother. ''You make too much of my confession of faith. I merely said believe in ghosts; and I do."
 "Why?" we all exclaimed, with one voice.
 Because" answered the gentle lady, 'I have seen what l firmly be- heye to have been a spirit from the other worlds E E. #s
 ltsoh e'zexc1aimed Alice, in voice of awe; s'tell us about it grandma, please, do?' And we all joined eagerly in the request.
 sWell, my dears," said the old lady, after little hesitation, taking off her spectacles, and laying down her knit ting, ssI will relate to you my one sole experience of the spiritual world. Though the event I am going to tell you about, happened more than fifty years ago, it is as fresh in my mind as if it had only taken place yesterday No lapse of time will ever deaden or ef- face the impression it made on me.
 Fifty-three years ago was young girl of eighteen years old. l was a tall, strong, active lassie,. fond of rid ing, hunting, fishing, and all country sports and pastimes. I could dance down any one in the country side, lead the hunt in my own county, and was never known to turn aside for the stiff est fence, or to refuse the broadest ditch,. Fear was an unknown sensa- ton to me. I did not know what nerves meant, and headaches were strangers to me. I was full of health, strength, and spirits. I was not bad-looking, either, in those days" added the gentle lady, with a sigh, and glancing at Geraldine who our father had often told us, was Iuc luldRc LII W udb AO AAS mother in the days of his own child hood. "I had many offers, and not g few admirers. I never cared but fol one of them, children, and he was youl grandfather. "Ah, what years ago il seems!" and my grandmother paused moment, and wiped her eyes.
 We'll, when 1 was just about eighteen I went to pass couple of months witf your grandfather's uncle at Gaytor Castle It was long time before the fire which afterwards destroyed the west wing took place, and no one wht has not seen the Castle before that hap pened can imagine what perfect spec imen of a medieval architecture it theI was.
 It made a great impression on me, remember, as I drove up to it for thu first time one afternoon early in De cember. The rays of the setting SUI glistened on the windows, and caused the stained glass to glow and sparkl like jewels in their light; a long avenu of beeches led to the Castle gate, througl a finely wooded park, and in the dis tance long range of mountains stoot out, clear and distinct, against the sun set sky. fz-eera rs "A
 A large party of visitors were as sembled at the Castle-quite thirty o us l should say, and merry time VI had of it-fshing and shooting, an, hunting, in which the ladies joined were the order of the day.
 At length hard frost set in, whicl effectual1y put stop to all outdoo amusement, and obliged us to fall bacl on indoor pursuits for our diversion And when, one evening, we were al tired of cards and music, and knew no what to set about, all hailed it as bright idea when young lady of tn party suggested that we should explor the disused portion of the Castle, com monly called the west wing.
 "Aha, young ladies l'' exclaimed Si Guy, "take care of yourselves whe1 s,,4 4I,o fa1