The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-07-02

tested p
ain what manner p
"By simply sleeping in the blue cham
Der, where they say the ghosts do congre-
gate p said Miss ISola.
"Ah, then, you have ghosts p
"Many of them, sir. We are particu-
larly blessed in this respect. They are
very harmless though.
every well; if these unbiddeu guests are
are not murderously incliued-are gentle
enough to permit tired visitor to rest, L
will not object to sleeping in the blue or
any other chamber you may pleased to as
sign me-.
The smile returned to my fair compan
ions face. The badinage which | sup
posed she had been indulging at my ex-
pense was dropped, and conversation be
coming general presently forgot the blue
chamber and its unseen and unknown oc-
eupants and horrors-for what is a ghost
without horror?
At late hour in the evening Iintima
ted my desire to retire.
My host at once ushered me to the blue
room, where | found pleasant fire in an
open crate. The chamber was Illuminated
by candelabra lights.
Removing my garments, | leaped into
the ample and comfortable bed. 90 glanc
inc around the room | noticed that the
apartment was large and its furniture de-
eidedy antique-certainly not later than
the close of the eighteenth century.
To nv surprise found that to lose my
/ self in forEetiuness was impossible. Sleep
fed from ne | gradually entered into a
critical review Of the theories | entertain
ed for the confirmation of some points, for
which had, as my reader has been made
aware, accepted the invitation to the resi-
dence of the Laneasters.
An hour was consumed in this review,
and notwithstanding sleep was far from
me.
Next | resorted to my manuscripts. |
had placed them on the dressing table |
rose to get them. Crossing the foor l
noticed that the curtains which draped one
of the windows shook violently. | attrib
uted the movement to the wind, assuming
that one Of the sashes was raised.
As / am 4 believer in fresh air, aud
plenty of it when sleeping, did not think
Of closing it. l noticed, however thatthe
curtains we're disturbed only once | ac-
counted for this by supposins that the Hut
tering was caused by sudden puff otwind,
The air was otherwise calm.
again entered the bed and addressed
myself to the papers. l had not read a
page when heard 4 slight noise, such as
mouse would be apt to make running on /
bare floor.
II was now, / found on consulting my
watch, halfpast two.
began to feel lrestless-ncrvous. how T
made up mind | would be feveFish on the
morrow, and entirely untitled for profound
and prolonged study.
Strangei just at this time, having
laid my manuscripts on the bed covering, +
nv left hand resting on them, | felt cold /
wiud-yery cold, bu. gentle in its move /
ments, pass over my face.
II came from the open window thought f
was again to be surprised.
My eyes rested on broad low chair /
standing near the foot Of the bed. On it 4
upon entering the chamber l had hung my I
outer garment.
To nv astonishm5nt / saw this article /
slowly rise fIom the back of the chair Il .
moved as if grasped by a human hand +
guided by intelligence. Il h0ated the /
length Of the room, and on returning dropp- 4
cd on the seat as If il had been thrown 4
down
l was in a dazs. Did my eyes deceive
me
Il nav have been 50, / viii admit. But
if my eyes we're valueiess a. witnesses to
this strange sight, 50 also was my memory;
for | recollected that for 4 very special
reason | had placed the garment on the
back instead OF on the seat Of the chair.
While laboring in my mind to find
reason for the unusual phenomenon, | was
startled by loud Hem precisely such
as a man would make while endeavOring
to clear his throat, and again the cold
breeze famed my face.
raised my eyes, aud new know was
not asleep There stood before me, be
tween my bed and the light of the FIRE, two
men, both medium size. eae was dressed
10 the costume Of gentleman Of the last
quarter Of the last century; the other, who
seemed to be in some manner attached to
his fellow by thick cord had the appear
ance Of a personal attendant The COS
tune of the first was exceedingly plain;
that of his follower, particularly the coat,
was covered with figured designs. Both
wore queues, and both had on low shoes
with broad buckles of silver, silk stockings
and knee -breeehes. The servant was eyi-
IDENTIFY much stouter man than the per
son / assumed to be the master. Another
curious fact noticed was the appearance Of
the stout mans face; it was covered with
pimples or blotches. The features Of the
master we're peculiar; they had an iutellectu-
al cast. The forehead was broad aud high,
the cheeks rathersunken, the mouth large,
and the chin, compared with the upper
part of the head, very narrow. The face
Of the servitor, on the contrary, was round,
fat, sensual, and without expression.
Il was at this juncture that | recalled
the conversation | held with Miss IsOla
Lancaster, while seated at the dinner-table
''This is masquerading, | said to my
self Glow foolish, ridiculous; and to
perpetrate IL on guest VINO Is an utter
stranger is objectionable.
The figures here turned toward me; the
servant, still holding the cord that bound
him to his master, standing behind him.
was about to demonstrate with those
whom thought had joined in the sport to
frighten me or to test my temper, when to
my surprise / could see through my visi-
tors bodies the fame Of the fire that was
yet burning in the CRATE
"Were these, then, the spirits Of depart
ed men ?? 1 questioned myself
As if in response to the interrogatory,
the form in the dark garments bowed
courteously.
l had not lest my courage nor presence
Of mind.
1 said very quietly
81 have been told that this is a haunted
chamber; do you haunt it?"
The spirits-both this time-bowed.
"Haye you a purpose in visiting this
chamber?
Again both bowed assentingly.
"Could | be of service to you p
The gentleman in the dark garments
IL Il. I .