Louisiana capitolian., 1881-11-19
THE MAD TENANT.

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 m
hair fall in matten locks, or show a
aversion for soap and water. On tn
contrary, don't think you will find
more tidy bachelor in dress and perso
than myself. My eccentricity is show
IN an inordinste love of the mysterious
As a boy j ruined my eyesight by.read
/ ing terrible tragedies, horrible historic.
hideons homicides, and strange stories
These ! would repeat to my nurse, ia
net Gruesome, plain and simple
might say very plain and simple--coun
try girl, holding her by my bedside of
night, shivering with cold and terror a
she listened.
Life was full OF misfortune for me un
til was turned forty, when a mysteri
GUS uncle OF mine, who had left Eng.
land whilst l was still % baby, died in
Australia, and left me sole heir TO his
vast wealth. | instantly settled with
my creditors, and taking my "nurse'
and my romances, started for the cOun-
try, determined to wander about and
seek for the marvellous.
One day 1 came across % vast gloomy
mansion that exactly suited my fancy.
1t was ghostly building, with whisper
ing voices in it's 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 myste-
rious to please me. BY it the superior
landlord, Mr. Thomas Balcombe, held
all rights over one room on the first floor
a small chamber, the shutters and doors
of which.were securely closed and fas-
tened. | inquired the reason of this,
but the agent could give me no positive
He believed the room
contained the family papers and por-
traits, and that Mr.. Balcombe had lock-
ed them up there for security.
But, said /, lit is so mysterious to
have o sort of Bluebeard chamber in
your house,
"lquite agree with you, sir" replied
the agent" and told Mr.. Balcombe 50:
but he is strange man and will have
bis own way. It's nearly twenty years
since that room was locked up. At
trst it made q great noise in the village
md strange stories were circulated, but
never heard it was really haunted"
We agreed eventually as to terms,
Ind in a couple Of weeks l arrived from
london, bringing with me Janet Grue.
'ome, two maid servants, aud some fine
I'D plate and iewelry MY uncle had left
ne.
It was dreary night when arrived
Vt the 'Yews,' as my abode was called.
3ut was happy enough. A CHEEKY fire
vas lighted in the oak-panuelled room,
Ind whilst the servants prepared my
upper | unpacked the plate. and ar
anged it on the side board to make the
'lace look brighter. When / had done
his and finished my supper, the parlor
loor was thrown violently open, and |
'anet Gruesome rushed violently into |
he room.
Master" she whispered in trem-
ling voice, tho secret room is open, |
nd it's coming outr
''Gt's coming outw l cried. ''Wlat is
oming out"
',fhe ghost, master! it's coming tlswn
taIrs a-followlng of me-
Then shat the door, you idiot ~
and bolt it,
She turned to obeys my orders, but
las too late, for at that moment q ven
rable, white-haired old gentleman,
lad IN Il velvet dressing gown and
,arlet slippers, entered the room.
Il beg your pardon" he said, rather
ervously. II hope I do not disturb
OH. was not aware You haunted to-
light. ! believe you are fresh ghosts,
here he lowered his voice--you are
hosts in embryo7"
"Sirf exclaimed, YOU must know
lat this house ismine.'
Indeed" said the creature, sitting
own in my armchair and drinking my
rog; has my cousin Tom let it to you
, are you Balcombe 2"
Il am not Balcomhe,' cried, i'm
L l. -. /