Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-09-18

Gales ano Skettbts.
THE SECRET or TINE WHITE CHEST.

1t was Just the house wanted. In size
and situation it suited me exactly. as the
phrase goes, literally down to the ground.
Facing Hyde Park, and placed back from
the high road. with nothing in front OF II
l,ut the broad strip of garden belonging to
the terrace in which it stood, and the open
stretch of turf and trees, it was the very
abode of London season. Its rent, too,
was extremely moderate: it was in sound
repair: drainage without a flaw; fixtures,
furniture and decorations in the best taste.
the owner only desiring to let it occasion
ally, because he went away from town eacn
spring. Whyth did hesitate to take 1t (!
Why did everybody hesitate to take It!
For the last seven years or more II nad
never been let. Al! the house agents at
the West End had it in hand one after
another. The terms had been reduced
each season that it came into the market,
and still there was no finding tenant for
it. Everybody who went over the house
was charmed with it. The entrance being
in the rear, all the best rooms had de-
lightful southern aspect; and going up
from floor to floor on their first Visit of
inspection. everybody grew more delight
ed the higher they got. The apartments
increased in chcertulness, if not in size,
the outlook from the windows became
more extensive and airy, while, when one
reached the top story, and ascended by
narrow stair on to loaded fiat roof, with
a high balustrade running round It, the
view was, as the house agent expressed
it, "quite unique
Nevertheless, everybody having reachcd
the roof, and having looked round for
minute or two, descended with a firm de-
termination not to take the house. Now
what was the reason! II was not haunted,
no ghosts had ever been seen or mysteri-
Gus noises heard-such things were never
hinted at. There was nothing about It IN
appearance like the gloomy, forbidding
mansion in Seven square, concerning wnlch
so many queer stories are told, and which,
like the house in question, no one will take.
No. it was the very reverse, in all respects,
of that long (and stilD untenanted abode.
| had heard the rumors about the Hyde
Park house often when had been in Lon
don, and my curiosity had always been
piqued. so that now, when wanted just
such house for the season, determined
to go and look at it for myself.
Finding all satisfactory, and just as |
expected from bottom to top, l was step
ping out on the roof with Mr.. Crumble,
the agent, and was saying to him:
"Well. can't conceive why people
won't live here" when my eye fell upon
curious object erected upon the leads at
the rear and surrounded by high railing.
1t looked like huge skylight or glass
lantern. about ten feet long, three high
and three broad. But instead of forming
Il light for staircase or room beneath, it
seemed to have been built for the purpose
of covering another curious object, which,
occupying nearly the whole Of the space
under the glass, was plainly visible
through it.
This was a long white box, resembling
a seaman's chest more than anything, on
ly much larger. It rested upon four legs
or feet, which raised it about a foot from
the fiat surface of the roof. 1t was paint
ed a creamy white, and vanished, and APP
parently rot being intended to open any
more than its glass covering, had no
hinges or lock to its top or lid.
''What the deuce is that? ?' said to MIR.
Crumble.
"Ah.' replied that ftinctionary, withan
odd expression on his face, ''that's it,
slr.'
What's it, pray?"
"Why, the secret, SIR"
The secret ! How is it a secret? What
do you mean ?''
'Well, sir, what it is. what it's meant
for, what's inside of it,
Don't you know?"
"No, SIR
''Doesn't any one know?"
IL suppose somebody does, sir, but we
don't; we are forbidden to inquire, or to
attempt to find out; if we knew we should
be able to let the house perhaps
.'IIow long has it been there ?''
"A long while. | believe, sir-ten or
twelve years. Before my time
''But who put it up?"
''Well. Mr.. Gayling, we suppose; no.
body seems to know exactly when it first
appeared there"
'But the servants" | protested; they
must know
"Oh! Ihave heard there were none in
the house at the time; they were all dis
missed Just before it was put up. Mr..
Gayling never keeps many servants, some
times none. Nobody lives in the house
KEYS with us. He is always changing his
servants; have often heard him say that
he likes new brooms."
What is he. or what was he ~
"a gentleman in the naval line, l be-
lieve, sir; they are rather rum 'uns. I'm
told"
..Hu,nph.'' | said, '.very odd. But do
YOU mean to tell me that nobody will live
here because they don't know what's in
that box ?"
That is partly the reason, sir"
"Absurd.' Twas going on, when he
continued:
but there is clause in the agreement
about it that's what does it, SIR"
Explain" said.
well, sir, here is the clause" and he
produced the document; s.perhaps you
would like to read it yourself?"
Thus it ran:
'.And in taking the house at the rental
and for the terms specified above, here
by solemnly pledge my oath never direct
ly or indirectly. through my own agency
or that of others, to attempt to meddle
with or disturb the white chest under the
glass case of the roof. or to seek in any way
to discover for what purpose it has been
,~IaaoJ thar, and xvhaf II CONTAINS and i