, 1877-05-25
MY MAD TENANT.
FROM PUCK.

/ am rather of an eccentric turn of
mind-at least, SO all my friends say,
and perhaps they are correct. When
that dress in peculiarly cut clothes,
let my hair fall on my shoulders in
matted locks, or show an aversion for
soap and water. On the contrary, 1
don't think you will find more tidy
old bachelor than myself anywhere.
My eccentricity is shown in inordinate
love for the mysterious. As a boy 1
ruined my eyesight by reading terri
BILE tragedies, horrible histories, hid
eous homicides, and strange stories.
These I would repeat to my nurse,
Janet Gruesome, a plain and simple
I might say very plain and simple
country girl, holding her by my bedside
ofa night, shivering with cold and ter
ror as she listened.
Life was full of misfortune for me
until was turned forty, when q mys-
terious uncle of mine, who had left
home whilst was still baby, died
in Australia, and left me the sole heir
to his vast wealth. I 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 1 came across vast gloomy
mansion that exactly suited my fancy.
1t was a 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 violence
had been done; whilst the withered
branches tapped eagerly against the
windoy-panes, as if they were house
less ghosts wishing to take up their
abode in this mysterious mansion.
was delighted, and determined to take
it ct once. The agent was soon found,
and the terms agreed upon; but there
was one clause in the lease which I did
not hkeS 1t was even too mysterious to
please me. By it the superior landlord.
; Mr.. Thomas Balcombe, held all rights
over one room on the first floor, small
chamber, the shutters and door were
securely fastened. j inquired the
reason of this, but theagent could give
me no positive information. He be-
heved the room contained the family
papers and portraits, and that Balcombe
had locked them up for security.
"But, said I, sit is so mysterious to
have a sort Of Bluebeard chamber in
your house."
II quite agree with you, sir" re-
piled the agent; "and told Mr.. Bal
comoe so; but he is strange man and
Will have his own way. It's nearly
twenty years now since that room was
locked up. At first it made a great
noise in the village, and strange stories
were circulated; but that soon died out,
and except telling these stories at a
Christmas time, or when stranger asks
ior them, they are never heard. Some
times people come for a picnic in the
wood yonder, and go to see the haunted
mouse. as they call it, but 1 never let
them IN. never heard it was really
haunted"
We agreed eventually as to terms.
and In q couple of weeks 1 arrived
from town. bringing with me Janet
Gruesome, two maid servants, and some
old plate and jewelry my uncle had
1t was a very dreary night when ]
arrived at the "Yews," as my new
abode was called. But 1 was happy
enough. A CHEEKY fire was lighted in
me oak-paReled room, and whilst the