The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-05-20

The time OF my narrative dates back to
the year 1870. The events occurred in the
city of Springfield, Ohio.
Situated in the very centre of the city
was a mansion, old and lonely aspect, the
property of Mr.. Foos. Ii had been for
several years uninhabitcd, when strange re-
ports began to circulate. Persons who
passed there at midnight, and other uncan-
ny hours, often saw strange lights and
heard stranger sounds, until people be-
lievcd that it was haunted
length two young men Of the town
resolved to sec whether it was haunted or
not, and thus put The fears and gossipings
of the towns people to an end
Accordingly they took up their quarters
ut the mansion. About eight o'clock they
lit their candles, ana made themselves conf
Portable to receive their ghoslly visitors.
The clock struck nine, ten, eleven, and
now nearly twelve o'clock, The time for
ghosts to appear. The great clock in ST.
Raphaels church began to strike one, two,
three, four, five, six, seven, eight, ninc
.rn, eleven, hrrfrc, and thcn--No sooner
csndles were suddenly ' S2ting3HHisr'car," r'ar" ah 'Sa
they were left in darkness. After a few
m. ,ulcs bright, circular light hccamc
visible near one of the walls, and what n
terrible spectacle was brought to view .
man was stretched from Il tree with Il
rope around his neck, while Il box lay Mt
his feet within rCach--hc was suicide. -
Ills distorted features and glaring eyes
were plainly visible, while his tongue.
black and swollen, hung at least half foot
from his mouth TO complete the horrible
picture, hundreds Of demons were dancing
around his contorcd figure. Then followed
wild burst of laughter and the appnriton
vanished.
The young men had moi expected this
While this strange scene was cnacting tlcy
sat stupcficd with fear, their hair actually
standing on end.
At length their horrible spell was broken,
and without even stopping to snatch their
hats, they fled the housc.--As they were
fleeing along the street, they ran right into
the arms Of tall, muscular nan, who see
ing their 1tlrghtcd condition, frightened his
grasp upon them, and asked them to cX-
plain their fright.
They told him all
After they had finished their story, the
detective Qor it was no other than Dctcc-
tive John Burnside, of New York, who
! was visiting friends thcrc) told them "iC
say nothing about il, but wait and hope, y
| and lie would discover the mystery if pos
siblc
About two weeks after the detective re
turned homc-so his friends thought.
In course of time the young men dis
| covered that they could no longer keep tho
| secret, and SO they dvulgcd it.
1T raised a great cXitcmcnt, Of course
and the people of the city gave the place ,
wide berth.
The strange sounds and sights were con
tinucd, until the people believed without {
doubt that the house was haunted.
We will pass over year.
One morning posse of police, hcatlct
by q tall man in plain clothes, approached
the F0os mansion, unlocked the door, ant
passed in.
| In few minutes the sound of pistol
shots was heard and then all was still.
In few minutes the posse emerged from
the house, looking much larger Wha
could it mean3
| And now, little Ants, my narrative is a
an end, and Detective Burnside will finisl
the story. .,.
| After left the two young men, sait
! Detective Burnside afterwards in telling th'
story, my mind was made up---I would dis
cover the mystery.
Accordingly, the next evening, proceed
cd to the mansion. It was mere repetition
Of the story Of the young men, rs far as TIN
apparition. AS soon rs the clock strucl
twelve my candle was blown out by gus
of wind, ! know, caused by the slamminl
Of doors. And what terrible sight me
my eyes, / shudder now when / think of 1t
so terribly rcalit looked.
There In tho same spot that the youn
man had described, saw a young an
beautiful girl on her knees. A form wa
bending over hor, It's hand claspcd her lon
golden hair while q keen, bloody knit
was drawn across her fair white throat
while torrcnts.of crimson blood drippc
upon the floor. S.# +.
I regained by sclf-possession enough t
draw my pistol, aim, and fire. A vii
laugh followed, and my bullet was hear
crashing through the wainscoting. Til
apparitlOn YanisIled slowly and happenin