The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-10-10
TIE CATHERWOOD GHOST
A True Story OF Maryland Society
Before the War.

Before the War.
Several years before the outbreak of the
Civil War Richard and Arthur Catherwood,
brothers, were keeping bachelors hall
on the family estate in Queen Anne's county,
Md. Their parents having died when they
were both children they We're left to the care
of their uncle, who lived near by. On at
tanning his majority, Richard, the elder, at
once took possession of the property, and
two years later Arthur joined him. II was
a matter of no little surprise to the neighbors
that as the years rolled by the two young
men continued to get OH so we'll together, for
Richard had been noted from his early boy
hood for his overbearing temper. So much
so that there was hardly person in his
vicinity who had not some complaint TO
make against him. His equals resented his
scornful air of indifference; his interiors de-
tested him thoroughly on general principles.
No one who knew Richard could comprehend
how it was that Arthur was able to live in
comparative peace with him. Dick must
have thrown a charm over him." was the
opinion of some of the more credulous. The
secret of the harmony existing between
Arthur and his brother, however, was to be
found in the formers remarkable amiability.
Whatever Richard wished he acquesced in;
whatever Richard detested he mildly dis
liked. In fact, had Arthur been framed by
the Creator for the express purpose of pro-
viding Richard with companion with whom
he would find it difficult to quarrel he could
hardly have been better fitted for the role.
In appearance tho two brothers were as much
unlike as were their characters. Richard
was tall, dark, and saturnine. His large
month, with its thin lips, was only half con-
cealed Ivy struggling black mustache, and
his small black eyes were set obliquely, CIV
ing him, with his yellowish skin, the APP
pearance of a Monaghan. His gaunt frame
and long sinewy hands denoted enormous
strength, much of which had been
open air. At the stables three fine sad
die horses were always kept in readiness
for his use. OF these Beelzebub, n magnif-
cent coal-bla stallion, whose wicked eyes
fully justified the sobriquet, was his favorite.
Often Richard would return on Beelzebub,
late at night, pale as a ghost, from des-
perate gallop of twenty miles or more.
Arthur was also fond of physical sports,
but in guieter way. There was no more
expert football player Mt college, nora better
horseman or partridge shot in his section of
the State, but his enjoyment of such amuse-
ment was more self-cOntained than was his
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popularity.
There WAS q tradition I'm the nsiphb orhoOi
.nht Tue oatherwoou mnhsioi was hauIted.
most ola country houses nave TINS reputation,
nut the Catnerwood ghost had been seen so
oiteh ana uhder such Terrifying circumstances
lhat us aetnai existehce was aoapted ny only
lew. among the Catherwooa negroes there
was not the slightest uncertainty about 1t:
Nearly an had seen H. ana mol the Doidest OF
them womb nave vehtured 10 enter the great
nail NJ midhight, OWING 10 the iact that II
was wei known 10 De the apparitiohs iavOr-
ite spot. hore the ghost had been repeatedly
seen aescsha,hg tue stairway, ciotned III
whiIe, WIN Tue upper part OF ts ghastiy
iace alone exposed, IN which giowed Two
naming eyes. IL always appeared suddenly
ON .he upper iuhuihs ana aoscehaeo SLOWLY
70 the nan. AT certain point II would turn
deiiperateiy, confronting the horrined spec.
tator, ana then, stepping backward, would
D;.ho,J r,tLn,,ro,a ,r,, A. ;,va,Io. -,
this sterling apparition. II was one of his
| fayOrite means of amusing himself for moth.
ing pleased him SO much as TO terrify credu.
| lOus people, Even the most sleptical of his
friends. although they laughed Mt the story,
could not repress n vagina failing of anxiety
on entering the hinge. ugly old brick house.
with its dark recesses. its antiauated mrni.
tnro. and its air of funereal solsmnitv. Rich.
ards eniov,oent of the evident annrs,,ensiou
which thew were Mt such mains Ia conceal
was hardIy less Intense than when Lidder
behind the parlor door. he watched The
frightened negro whom he had nrsviously
summoned as he or she stood netriaed will
terror. at the foot of the stairway. gazing n,
tbe descending nbantom Artl,nr wos hi,
unwilling accomnIice in these nerformances-
unwillinp because hs abhorred dunlicitv and
was Of too pentIa tennerament 10 vial 4,
rive main 10 others. INT in this IA in otle,
things. Richard ouellsd his opposition will
an angry look. Accordingly. when Riehar I'd
desired To have the ghost produced Arthul
would make himself nm with a shsst nm,
some phosphorus and at tho appointed tim,
would appear ON the stairway. IIi
mysterious exit tl,ronph the wall was eG,cte,
Nv means of n snring door emf throngh IN,
paneled wall into the next room.
mr.
ILL.,
Thus they lived ON year after year, follow