The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-09-13
Srfft Story.
A GHOSTLY LODGING.

Dll Old.WlnIer evening IN the year
l6-a young girl, leading little boy
by the hand, emerged from Il grove into
a lonely road to the village of Milford.
1t had been showing all the afternoon,
and though the storm had now ceased.
the heavy drifts made the roads almost
impossible. From time to time, keen,
cutting wind swept the road, driving The
snow in all directions. The girl, Wig
orous country lass of eighteen, struggled
blindly on a few moments, then paused
breathless.
Il wonder where we are" she said
"DOn't stop to think where we are"
replied her brother. GJust push on"
"But we can't get home to night -
continued the girl, resolutely. ave
shall be buried in these snow drifts
pretty soon. If there was some farm
near, they'd take us in for the night"
Il see none round here" said the boy,
straining his bright eyes in every di-
rection.
Suddenly Helen Wilson uttered an
exclamation Of JOY. See, Robbie, there
is house just at the turning Of the
road. Well go there"
"But it looks SO queer-no lights or
anything" said the boy, uneasily.
Perhaps they're all abed. Never
mind, we must rouse them up, if We
don't want to freeze to DEATH" said
Helen, giving vent to her fears.
Painfully they struggled on, till they
paused at length in front of the house.
The boy looked up and uttered a low
cry of dread. "Sister, it's the haunted
house; the house where that lady was
killed several years ago. Nobody dares
to go near it. Come right away!'
Nonsense" SAID Helen, firmly. "If
"If this is the place, we are a good dis
tance from any other house. Come,
Robbie, it's our only chance"
"Oh, can't, can't" said the boy, the
courage that hitherto sustained him
giving way to his superstitious terrors.
"See how wild and lonely it looks And
the lady walks there every night, they
say"
"Robert, we are gong in here" re-
piled Helen. firmly. There are no
ghosts, foolish boy. We shall die if we
keep on. Come with me, this moment
The boy obeyed. With difficulty they
clambered over the fence, half buried in
snow, and waded up the garden toward
the house. Helen laid her hand on the
door, 1t yielded, after few resolute
pushes, and, shuddering inwardly, she
entered with her brother the illomened
house. Both stood silent a moment
But for the moaning wind and mys-
terious rustling sound at intervals, the
broad, empty hall was still as death.
"Come, Robert" said Helen. recover
ing herself, eve mustn't stand here.
As she spoke, she led the way to the
large parlors, opening off the hall. The
moon shone brightly through the lofty
easement, revealing rooms stripped bare
of pictures, curtains, Of every vestige o.
furniture. The snow had drifted through
the numerous broken panes, and lay il
white heaps on the floor. Poor Helen:
heart sank at the dismal picture. Bu
she kept up her courage for his sake and
turning to him, said as cheerfully as she
could:
"Come, dear, we must so up stairs
The upper rooms may not be stripped
so bare as these"
@Oh, not up stairs, where the murder
was done mot up stairs. Helen" pleaded
the boy.
aWe must, we shall freeze to death i
we stand here"
But if we should happen into tha
r0onat'
We'll come out again" said Heller
shudder belying the careless courag
of her tones. "Come, Robert"
As she spoke, they ascended the stair:
At the head of the long, winding stair
wav was a massive oaken door.
They paused here moment,while al
indefnable nervous thrill passed througI
both.
TRY the other rooms first" whispere,
Robert.
Like the shadows they stole along tn
hsll, entering chamber after chamber
only to find them bare and desolate q
the rooms below.
what shall we do?1 asked Robert, a
they descended the second broad stair
way, and approached the door they ha'
encountered first.
J God only knows" said poor Helen
, who was beginning to be sorely discour
aged. Its best to keep moving, at an
; rate. We will just try this door," A
1 she spoke, she laid her hand on tn
!. knob, hesitated moment, then turne,
e it softly. A smothered cry broke from
4 both as they looked in.
: : No glare of moonlight here, reyealin
: naked desolation, as in the other room,
E Through the half closed curtains stole
!, ghasty, uncertain light, in which tn
!; surrounding objects were outlined.
J. | I,o1StnaI c4D