Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-04-13
A BOSTON GHOST.
a story of a Haunted HOuss.


Yesterday was q field-day for the
goblin of the surburbs. Not since
the knees of Newburyport smote
together in horror at the apparition
of the severely-Spanked boy who
returned to scare the rest of the
school with his disembodied devil
tries has SO marvellous a story been
put forth. The salient points of
the story are these: There is a
house on Washington street, Somer-
vile, which acquired some years
since the reputation of being
haunted. GAIL houses wherein men
have lived are haunted" says Long
fellow, but this one was especially
distressed, to a degree that endan-
gered the windows and jeopardized
the furniture. How it became thus
bedevilled cannot be possibly said.
Rumor hath it that q tenant, un-
able to meet his rent bill, and be-
ing evicted by the landlord, initi-
ated the dreadful business by way
of revenge. At any rate the ghost
waxed strong and popular, broke
numerous paneS of glass, tore the
wallpaper, broke dishes and blamed
it TO the cat, and at last-as a cul.
minating wickedness, an anti.climax
of diabOlism-induced two Sunday
reporters to call and interview it.
The house having been empty a
good while, was taken at length by
a man who is described as san
honest, intelligent man, and not a
believer in spiritualism." This is a
superhuous assurance. We never
knew a man who turned up, with
a suburban spook in tow, who was
not very honest, highly intellectual,
and as entire a disbelieyer in ghosts
as Colonel Iugersoll. He usually
displays his intelligence and scep-
ticism by holding a series of daily
seances in his back sitting.room,
with an accomplished medium. con-
trolled by a defuncG warrior Of the
Comanche tribe, charging two dol
lars per head, and divying With
the proprietor of the soul of the
departed brave. The first of the
series in this Somerville case was
held two weeks since.
The circle was formed, including
the professional lady medium, three
aldermen, the two reporters, and a
various assortment of other highly
respectable witnesses. The profes-
sional, having secured darkened
back-room and other conditions.
" suddenly became entranced."
Then turning to the lady of the
house she said: "Why do you fear,
pale face? You will not be harmed.
Now, won't you tell me what it
was that passed in front of you just
this minute?" In the meantime
the lady Of the house began 10
shake like an aspen, her lips quiy-
cred and her eyeballs began to
roll in their sockets very much as
they would if she was dying.
"Oh! don't bring her back!" she
exclaimed, the tears starting to
her eyes. 81 can't bear to have
her come backl" The allusion to
the pale faces around assured US Of
the presence Of the Ingenious In
dian before alluded to, and then
come the revelations. Under the
guidance Of this child of the forest
returned from his happy hunting
grounds, the professional told all
about this understanding, dish,
destroying, stair-rolling ghost. 1t
was a female sprite, and Bertha was
her name. She was murdered
many years ago, by a base betrayer
named Herbcrt-who occupied the
house. The spirit of the noble red
man kindly detailed the whole
tragedy, showed the place where
the deed was done, and the trap
door through which the body was
thrown. A most excellent storyl
But the good reader need not allow
his nervous system to be wholly
unstrung by it. The key to the
mystery is quite handy. Bertha
lStoughton disappeared some years