American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-06-21
Ashton's whereabouts could not be dis

are at the Films. How do you like the
looks of the place, sir?''
The small stone house, surrounded by
a grove of elm trees, presented won
derfully picturesque appearance, and
did not hesitate to inform the agent that
l was much pleased with the appear
ance of the estate.
The favorable impression with which
at first regarded it was deepened by a
critical examination, and decided up
on purchasing the property.
Just one week from that day and my
household, consisting of a hvusekeeper,
one servant and my favorite dog, took
possession of the Elms.
81 fancy 1 shall not be greatly
troubled by the spirits who are suppos-
ed to haunt the dwelling" 1 remarked
to myself, as 1 prepared to retire on the
night of my arrival. "The presence of
a confirmed skeptic like myself should
be sufficient to exercise them"
jumped into bed, and fell asleep as
soon as my head touched the pillow.
1 was awakened by the striking of a
clock, which told the hour of midnight.
As the last stroke died away 1 heard
the sound of footsteps-slow, measured
footsteps at the other end of the long
hallway, at one extremity of which my
room was situated. They grew louder
and louder as they neared my door.
A strange, indefnable feeling of ter
ror, such as I had never before expert
enced, crept over me. To save my life
could not have moved.
The footsteps came nearer and near
err; they paused at my door.
Then the door swung slowly open
and there entered a being, a thing wear
ing the form of man and surrounded
by strange, phosphorescent light.
Its face was that of q young man; it
was attired in sailors costume. Up
on its forehead was a frightful wound,
from which the blood slowly oozed.
1t raised its right arm and beckoned
me to follow it. Unable to resist the
dresd fascination, I arose andapproach-
ed my visitant.
The spirit-for that it was a spirit of
the other world could not doubt, skep-
tic though 1 had ever been-led me
through the long hallway to an outer
door, through which it passed, follow
ing. It conducted me across the grass,
wet with the midnight dews, to the foot
of q majestic elm which stood in a re-
tired, lonely part of the grove.
Here it paused, and slowly pointed to
the ground at its feet. In this position
it stood for perhaps minute, then it
vanished.
staggered forward pace or two,
then my overtaxed energies gave way
and fell insensible to the ground.
An hour later I recovered my con-
and returned to the house,
whether or not my terrible ex-
perience had been a dream.
But reflection fastened and strength
ened the conviction in my mind that I
had been visited by an inhabitant of the
other world.
Why had the spirit conducted me to
the spot? Why had it pointed me to
the ground at the foot of the giant elmp
I interpreted this act as q command to
dig az the spot, and 1 determined to
obey
The next morning, assisted by
neighbor to whom had told my expe-
rience, and surrounded by group of
villagers, dug at the foot
of an elm tree and found the ghastly
evidences of a frightful crime.
Scarcely four feet from the surface we
found the body of young man. The
qualities of the soil were such that it
was in an excellent state of preservation.
The features, though much discolored,
were easily recognizable, and they were
the features of my ghostly visitant. In
the forehead of the corpse was a terri
BILE wound, which had evidently been
inflicted by some sharp-pointed weap-
on.
The murdered mans pockets had
been emptied of their contents, but
sewed in the lining of his coarse cotton
shirt we found papers which proved
that he was Henry Ashton, the son of
the late George Ashton, and his intend
ed heir.
The ticket agent at the village depot
identified him as young sailor, who,
one evening about year before, had
arrived on the train from New York and
whom he had never seen since.
The inference was plain. Charles
Ashton had murdered the young man
in order to prevent his accession to his
estate.
Inquiries were made in New York,
and it was ascertained that Mr.. Charles
Ashton was expected to return from
his European trip on the steamer Elfri-
da, which was then overdue.
The next day the steamer arrived,
and among its passengers was, indeed,
Charles Ashton.
He was arrested before he disembark-
ed, on the charge of numbering his
nephew.
On learning of what crime he was
accused he said not word, but his face
turned deathly pale. He submitted to
arrest without resistance.
Two days later he committed suicide
in his cell in the Tombs. When his
body was discovered, a paper was tight
" clutched in his hand. Upon it were
scrawled few lines, which read as
follows:
1 killed Henry Ashton. He came to me
hat ,SsrIf RusI