West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-11-30
THE HAUNTED HOUSE.
by JULIUS coMBE.

Many years ago in the town of Box
lord, there lived two brothers, by the
name of Ripley. They were both en-
gagged in business.
John Ripley was great contractor
and Martin Ripley was merchant.
Although brothers, the two men were
very different, John having such a love
OF money that he would hoard il with
all the greed of a miser. But Martin
cared little for money beyond enough to
supply his daily wants, and keep hi,
family comfortable.
They were both young men when they
were married, and commenced business
AT the same time. The money which
they had TO start with was inherited
from their father, who had managed bv
diligence and economy To accumulate a
sum OF money not sufficient TO be called
n fortune, but enough 10 be proud of. as
every penny was earned by skill and
industry. Old Mr. Ripley had pur-
chased an ancient mansion house. hay-
ing very quaint appearance. There
were great many gables and wings in
fact, the. house looked like n mixture of
all kinds of architecture. There were
one or two stone towers, almost covered
with woodbine and ivy, hiding from
view the small diamond-panel windows
which lighted them.
AT the division of the property, after
the death of their father this old house
with all its curious history, came TO the
share of John. He wanted to live in il
but his wife, who was rather a proud
woman, preferred more fashionabie
residence so he let his mansion to a
gentleman named Benson, who had been
travelling for some months with his fam
lily in Germany.
Things went on very smoothly for a
time, until at last John Ripley, i'm trv-
ing TO get more money, lost ali that he
had. lie had been tempted TO speculate
beyond his means, and failed. His cred
ltors seized all his property, and among
IT was the old mansion. This was cold
by auction, and Martin Ripley, in order
to keep the house in the family.
bought it,
John was quite angry when he saw
mat Martin purchased the old house.
and he came forward to claim it. saving
that IL was not his house, and his cred,
itors had no right 20 sell it. He had
made 1t over to his son Edwin. some
months before, and therefore it could
not be taken TO pay his debts.
This was very shallow reasoning; but
John was enviOus to see his brother
Martin getting on 80 prosperously, and
ne determined to deprive him OF the
mouse II possible. A lawsuit followed
and after being in court for long time
~ was decided that the house right
Inlly and lawfully belonged to Martin
Ripley.
One evening, few weeks after. "a
MT Benson was sitting IN his parlor
alone deeply absorbed in a bewitcbino
romance, the hours flew rapidly by, the
hre IN the CRATE burned low. and am
awful silence reigned. when suddenIv
peculiar smOthered stroke was sounded
twelve times. Mr.. Benson's blood ran
cold in his veins. He listened. ALI was
still again as the grave-he could hear
nothing but his own BREATHING. But
IN minute or so came the sound Of foot
steps. At lrst they seemed far of. vet
nearer they came and nearer. uni1 e.
seemed as II they were i'm the room b,,t
then they grew fainter, and seemed IN
be passing on, until the sound ceased
and All was still again. Mr. Benson wa
sorely puzzled; he did not believe in
ghosts or spirits he knew that fbeso
noises could not occur without some
agency and he meant 10 discover what
II was. Lighting lamp. he visited
every room in the old mansion. MANY
OF them were unoccupied. and were
only used TO store up things. or for the
children 70 romp In Coming IN
chamber occupied by his two daughters.
Louisa and Emeline, he opened the
door and saw that they were awake.
ls Shat you, papaY asked Emeline.
You have been here before this even.
ing have you notT
Been here beforeW exclaimed Mr.
benson, afraid that his children might
nave been disturbed as he was.
res, papa; we were awakened by
me noise, and ! heard your footsteps
Ilstinctly ] thought that you went
'"ttooggh our chamber" said Louisa.
have been up stairs; probably YOU
.eard me az ] went by the door, said
Mr. Benson, unwilling to terrify his