Louisiana capitolian., 1881-11-15
THE mad TENANT.

| 0h VI 6n CcCOuUllD OuIu vi
mind-at least, so all my friends say,
and perhaps they are correct. When
say am eccentric, / do not mean that
dress in particularly cut clothes, let my
hair fall in matten locks, or show an
aversion for soap and water. On the
contrary, don't think you will find a
more tidy bachelor in dress and person
than myself. My eccentricity is shown
In an inordinate love Of the mysterious.
AS boy / ruined my eyesight by read
ing terrible tragedies, horrible histories
hideous homicides, and strange stories.
These would repeat to my nurse, Ja-
net Gruesome, a plain and simple-I
might say very plain and simple-coun-
try girl, holding her by my bedside of a
night, shivering with cold and terror as
| she listened
| Life was full of misfortune for me nn-
til was turned forty, when mysteri-
/
GUS uncle of mine, who had left Eng
land whilst was still baby, died in
Australia, and left me sole heir to his
vast wealth. l instantly settled with
my creditors, and taking my nurse"
and my romahces, started for the coun.
try, determined to wander about and
seek for the marvellous.
One day came across a vast gloomy
mansion that exactly suited my fancy.
1t was ghostly building, with whisper
ing voices in its ivy-clad walls, doors
that opened directly they were shut,
and shut directly they were opened.
Withered branches tapped, eagerly
against the window panes as if they
were houseless ghosts wishing to take
up their abode in this mysterious man
sion. Twas delighted and determined
to take it at once. The agent was soon
found, and the terms agreed upon but
there was one clause in the lease which
] did not like it was even too h1yste-
rious to please me. By it the superior
landlord, Mr.. Thomas Balcombe, held
allrights over one room on the first floor
a small chamber, the shutters and doors
of which were securely closed and fas-
tened. I inquired the reason of this,
but the agent could give me no positive
information. He believed the room
contained the family papers and por-
traits, and that Mr.. Balcombe had lock-
ed them up there for security. i
But said I, 1T is so mysterious to
have a sort of Bluebeard chamber in
your house,
'Iquite agree with you, sir" replied
the AGENT" 'and told Mr.. Balcombe so:
but he is a strange man and will have
his own way. It's nearly twenty years
since that room was locked up. At
first it made great noise in the village
and strange stories were circulated, but
| never heard it was really haunted"
4 We agreed eventually as to terms,
and in a couple Of weeks arrived from
London, bringing with me Janet Grne.
some, two maid servants, and some fine
old plate and jewelry my uncle had left
me. kfEfI SsfYjifs as
1t was dreary night when arrived
at the 'Yews,' as my abode was called.
But Twas happy enough. A CHEEKY fire
was lighted in, the oak-paunelled room,
and whilst the servants prepared my
supper unpacked the plate, and ar
ranged it on the side.b board to make the
place look brighter. When / had done
this and finished my supper, the parlor
door was thrown violently open, and
Janet Gruesome rushed violently into
the room.
Master" she whispered in item
bling voice, the secret room is open,
and it's coming outn
'It's coming out" cried "Whatis
coming out!"
"The ghost, master! it's coming down
stairs a-followlng of me-"
''rhen shut the door, you idiot !"I !
and bolt it, N
She turned to obeys my orders, bnt
was too late, for at that moment aven-
cradle, white-haired old gentleman,
clad IN @ velvet dressing-gown and
scarlet slippers, entered the room.
81 beg your pardon" he said, rather
nervously. II hope / do not disturb
you. Twas not aware you haunted to-
night. believe yon are fresh ghosts,
or'-here he lowered his voice-you are
ghosts in embryos"
"Sir" | exclaimed, ''you must know
that this house ismine."
Indeed !" said the creature, sitting
down in my armchair and drinking my
grog; "has my cousin Tom let it to You
Or are you Balcombe ?"