West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20
"CertainlY." said I.

told about the place, enough to make your
hair stand on end; and once, sir, a dissenting
parson. and tn school-master were nigh
killed by the ghost"
''Serve 'em right, for beings such fools!"
I hastily observed
"Then you are not afraid of ghostesses
sir?" asked the landlady, who at that mo-
ment entered my private room with smok-
ing capon and divers other good things.
''Oh, dear, no, not in the least" with a
complacent smile.
''Lawks-adaisy mel" exclaimed the good
woman, with a little scream of surprise.
Five minutes after saw her hurry over the
way to Miss Pinchley's, the dress maker,
no doubt to inform her of my temerity.
After had capital dinner, mine host
at my request Joined me in discussing a
bottle of his best port, over which we talked
over my purchase and he favored me with
a full and particular account of the ghost
and its doings.
Now don't know exactly how it came
to pass, whether through the exhilarating
effects of the wine, or the host praises and
concentrations Of my courage, but about
rather odd idea came into my head-a
decidedly odd idea creep into the bald head
of a steady going bachelor gentleman close
upon fifty, with his own peculiar ideas of
warmth and comfort, and a wholesome
dread of rheumatism, for | suddenly deter
mined to spend the night in the Haunted
House, and apprised my companion of my
determination.
"You don't mean that, sir?'' said he,
looking rather more than surprised. "Why,
sir, this be Christmas Eve, the very night
that tn school-master and tn preacher
were scared Almost to DEATH"
| 81 do! l willn' l exclaimed, jumping
from my seat, and standing with a con-
seriousness of my measurable superiority to
the Ashleyites, upon the hearth-rug, and
triumphantly poking the fire; 81 will by
Jove! I'll show you all what fools you've
| beenr'
| Expostulations were in vain; so, about
ten O'Clock | started off for the Manor, ac-
companied by the "Boots" carrying sundry
rugs and a supply of fuel, while the waiter
brought up the rear with comfortable
easy chair. l carried double barrel pis-
tol in my pocket, in case of an attack from
anything physical, and flask of Cognac to
screw up my courage in case felt nervous;
but there was no fear of that, for felt as
bold as brass and in excellent spirits. The
snow was falling heavily, and the wind
soughed mournfully through the trees as
we traversed the lane leading to the old
mansion, which, in the struggling and tran
sent moonlight, loomed amid the surround
ing trees like spectre clothed in white.
On arriving at door in the garden-wall
my companions hung back, and it was only
by the promise of an extravagant tip that
the waiter could be induced to follow me.
On we went to the principal entrance, where
I deposited the burden of which had re-
lieved the cowardly boots, when the more
courageous waiter scampered back to his
companion; the feat was certainly nothing
extraordinary, but it gained him reputa-
tion for cool courage, which endures in the
village unto this day.
The massive door opened with clang-
ing, groaning sound, and my footsteps re-
verberated loudly in the lofty hall. Light
ing lamp, proceeded into large room
on the ground floor, the walls of which
were covered with heavy but richly carved
oak paneling. Depositing my chair, re-
turned for the fuel, ETC., and proceeded to
kindle fire in the old-fashioned fireplace
1t soon burnt brightly and briskly. 1 next
wended my way up the noble staircase, and
viewed the principal rooms; lofty apart
ments they were, with gilded cornices, and
on some of the ceilings were painted repre-
sentations of classical subjects. My journey
of discovery at an end, and after l had as
certained that all the doors and windows
were securely fastened, l returned to the
fire, and, lighting cigar, established my
self comfortably in the easy-chair. The
dancing flames leaped cheerily up the chin
ney, and the glowing Goals soon threw out
a cozy and grateful warmth. A slight pull
at the Cognac, and, wrapping the rugs care
fully round me, while woolen cop covered
my head, I laughed at the idea of rheu-
matics and influenza, and felt as comforta-
BILE as need be.
am by no means timid man, although
l say it myself; but somehow or other, as
time wore on an unaccountable feeling of
uneasiness came over me. could not help
wishing | had a cheerful companion. If
whistled or sung my voice seemed strangely
harsh and unmusical; and if 1 took up the
entertaining book had brought with me,
1 could not fix my attention upon its con-
tents. Once or twice l caught myself look
ing behind me; what for, cannot say; but
l did so. l heard changing, rumbling
sound downstairs. l went to see what
caused it. 1t was only shutter which
had come unfastened, and swung to and fro
in the wind; but, as I again assembled the
stairs, strange shadows seemed to lark in
hooks and corners, and felt my flesh creep
in the most mysterious manner.
| I sat down again; tried to engage my
mind with business matters, but it would
not do. There is no denying it; II felt rather
uncomfortable; but-oh, dear, no!-by no
means nervous. l smoked another cigar,
and finished the Cognac. 1 looked at my
watch. 1t was five minutes to twelve, and
Immediately afterward the clock in the ad-
jacent church. tower tolled the hour. The
melancholy sound seemed to hang about
long time, to swim through the room, to
pervade the whole house, and felt relieved
when the last singing note died away, float
ing, as it seemed, up the chimney.
| Now was the time for the ghost, if the
house were really haunted, but l saw no.
thing, and heard nothing.
I must have slept, for started from my
seat with bound The door was wide