Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-05-14

fore, and there was an end of it."
"Well, said my father, Il have never
seen a ghost; but | should much like to
have it to say that | had seen one;
and if you think there is any chance of
your ghost favoring us with a second
app earance. | propose that we both set
off to the graveyard at once"
Coburn seemed very reluctant to
make the experiment; but as my father
began to, throw some light hspersions
on his courage, he at last consented and
they both set off. They examined the
gate and found it locked; peered
through the bars, but saw no signs Of a
ghost. Thinking the gentleman might
have gone second time for stroll to-
ward the village, they proceeded short
distance in that direction; but imagine
their feelings when, on looking back
they saw behind them not only one
ghost, but two Both ghosts went
through the gate as before; but proved
to be nothing more than the shadows
of the two men, thrown by the newly
erected gas lamps. the bend In the wall
causing the figures to appear as If they
had vanished into the graveyard.
| One evening some weeks ago, | was
in my room preparing for bed, when |
suddenly heard what sounded like foot
steps coming along the passage leading
to my room; then some one appeared
to be feeling In the dark for the handle
Of the door, which was slightly shaken,
and low knock was heard. OF course
L at once concluded that some one of
&,
being locked, [ called out to know who
was there, but received no answer.
Thinking this very odd, l went to the
door and opened it; but, to my amaze
ment, no one was outside, and yet had
heard no footsteps retreating. | must
explain that my room is at the end of a
long passage, to which you descend by
five or six steps, my door forming the
end OF the passage, (my room being at
the end of one wing of the housed;
therefore, on opening my door, | I'M
mediately commanded the whole Ofthe
corridor, and it seemed impossible for
any one to have escaped in time; and [
knew that the two rooms opening on
the same passage were locked up SO that
no one could have got out Of sight iii
that way.
Very much puzzled, 1 closed and
locked my door; and after a brief in
terval the same thing was repeated.
Cautious footsteps were heard APP
preaching; then, as if some one were
feeling for the handle of the door in
tn e dark, and shaking the door slightly
by SO doing; and then again a low
knock. A second time did [ open my
door, but with the same result. No one
was there. frankly confess that now
| began to feel somewhat uncOmforta-
BILE, not on account of ghosts, but visions
of thieves which f1oated across my
mind VERY ationally, of course) and
| felt persuaded that some one must be
moving about the house; aid yet l
knew that every one else had gone to
bed long ago; and | own | did not feel
inclined to risk an encounter with this
mysterious visitor while trying to
arouse some one else, my room being
some way from the rest Of the family.
Determined, however, if possible to
| find out what it was, crOuChed down
with my ear to the door, listening for a
repetition of the noise, which was re-
peated for third time. But noU, oW-
ing to my closeness to the door, dis
covered the disturber of my peace in q
mouse! 1t appeared this mouse, which
had very evidently lost its sway, had
got down III the passage, and finding re-
treat rather difficult lowing, L suppose,
to the steps,, was rushing up and down
the passage at full speed, thereby pro-
duclng the sound OF footsteps on the
carpet, and on finding its egress barred
by my door, trying tO escape by run
ming up the door; but the vanished
paint afforded it no foothold, the
impetus of its run only sufficed to car
ry 1t up short way (thus shaking the
door and slightly moving the handle)
and it then fell down with a flap, thus
producing the knock.
[ could not resist a hearty laugh when
[ found out the real cause OF the dis
turbance; but yet it shows that stories
of strange nocturnal noises should be
received with great caution, for GER
tainly | should always have declared
that some one had been trying my door
| that night, had I not found out the real
cause. aFl IN
The following story, it is to be hoped,
may assist still further in dlspelling
fears of what are termed supernatural
visitors, by explaining one reason for
households ringing of themselves"
l had quilted my temporary country
residence for the winter, closed all the
rooms, and left d trustworthy care
taker in charge, who occupied the
kitchen. On the second night, while
she sat at the fire, she was alarmed. by
hearing the drawnlg-room bell, which
was high up in the. passage to the
kitchen, ring. She looked up into the
passage, and there, surely enough, was
the bell giving its last tinglings. Her
husband came home from his work, and
to satisfy her, went upstairs to the
drawing room. He unlocked the door
found everything in its usual state
carpet rolled up and ornaments and
candlestick covered. He returned, dis
believing his wife's story, but she per.
sisted in it; and she declared she would
not for years wages remain an hour
in the haunted house after nightfall
The days were at their shortest, and the
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