The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-06-09
A Nisht iu u Haunted HouBe.

'pI)oSilc Glc IcSltlCnCC OI my 1rlCnUS,
the Gibsons, stood small frame dwelling,
which was the terror of Beanville for it
was said to be haunted.
a murCer had been committed ten years
before, and since then the poorest laborcr
In the country would not take the place
for present.
Beggars had tried to live there and fail
ed to secure sufficient rest to live upon
Trumps had been known to climb in at
the windows, but they climbed out again
before daylight. Not dog would stay
there. 1t was genuine haunted house.
And 80, being down at my friends for a
visit, resolved to investigate the matter
and declared that would sleep there, at
least one night-mole, if necessary.
We'll, Frank, you'll be sorry if you do,
| assure YOU, said Mr.. Gibson.
The house is haunted said the friend
of the family, VINO was smoking his cigar
on the porch.
Sure, and l saw the ghost myself, sir,
said little Biddy, nursing the baby on The
lower step.
Then am going to sleep there tonight, }
l dcclal cd. have always wanted to see
ghost
stuck to my determination. went
W tiiS iiV'lSs SulptJ tll&iG ANA
carried thithcr Il mattress, a blanket or SO,
and revolver.
1t was n warm night in summer, and the
little place was dry enough. refused
all company.
Ghosts never appear to large parties l
said. III need help l will fire my rcvol-
And 80, half scoldiny, half laughing, they
let me have my way.
At eleven o'clock | retired to my couch
with book and kerosene lamp, and by
midnight had read myself to sleep.
What awakened Inc do not know, but
| suddenly sat up in bed with sense of
great discomfort upon me. The lamp was
burning, my book lay where / had drop
ped it, but had feeling that there was
something in the room. "a trick is about
to be played upon me, thought, and |
started to my feet. Of course had no,
undrcsscd, and holding my revolver in my
hand, looked about me. | saw nothing,
but l heard queer sound. It was as though
people were swapping their fingers all
about me. / could associate the sound
with nothing else. 1t was not a cracking
or ticking, it was positive swapping
sound. Yet some insect might have made
1
at last The Sol suddenly as it
begun, and anoth> placc-a pat
tcring as of bare fee w az about. They
went in and out of til. :. )or, up stairs and
down. could have sworn that such feet
were pattcling all about me had 1 been
blind; but the moon shone brightly, and !
went from room to room with my lamp and
saw nothing.
Returning to my room lay down again,
and now low beating began. 1t was a.
though stick had been struck upon the
floor at intervals Of two minutes. And
suddenly curious thing happened. All
the bcdclothes were thrown entirely of Of
me and thrown into the corner of the
room.
Now for the first time | began to feel
nervous. sprang to my feet, and r,lsllt d
into. the entity, thinking that some one must
be concealed without the door, with some
contrlvancc for twitching away the
blankets; but tho house was empty.
won't down stairs. l pcepcd into the
| closets. l explored the cellar, and | re.
| turned to my room. That was no longer
empty.
lie was a rough-looking fellow, dissipa-
ted in appearance, and dressed in raggcC
clothes. By his side lay thick suck.
His eyes were open, and turned full upor
me.
looked at him moment, and ther
burst into laugh.
80 you're the ghost, said. Come
you shall have the bed for the rest of the
night, and breakfast in the morning IL you
will tell mo how you pulled the So blankets
off,
For an answer he still stared at me.