Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-04-05
GaLes arro Sketfbes.
THE HAUNTED House.


suddenly he cut himself, and the blood
streamed down he threw the razor away
angrily and walked toward us, disap-
pearing into the opposite wall. was
dumb with surprise, Molly white and cold,
but very firm.
"Dick. did you see that man''' she
said.
Yes. dear. am sure 1 saw some
thing
well. whom did it look like %
VERY much like Edward l replied.
as calmly as could.
$50 thought" faltered Mollie. "Can
II be a warning? Let us send him away.
Perhaps he will be murdered Us
mo, Mollie," ! answered. II think
I can prevent anything Of that kind tax
ing place. although we may not be able
to resist being frightened. Bear up, lit
tie woman. Tomorrow we will give it
up If you say so. There is mystery
here which we might be able to discover.
pears With the exception of Mollie's
anxiety on Edwards account. 1 confess l
think she was less frightened than |. She
Indignantly refused to give the matter up,
or allow me to investigate without her.
| After waiting a half hsur and nothing
appearing. we retired-but not to rest.
Ny nerves had been more strained than
I knew, and found it impossible to sleep.
Each tiny noise grew big in my waiting
ears and my eyes were strained in the
half light to see what there was not.
Day was breaking when fell asleep.
and the sun was three hours high when
awoke. Mollie looked little pale, and
Charlie, too; but all reported quiet
night undisturbed by unseemly visits.
When we were at break fast. Mollie sud-
denly turned to Edward with the ques-
ton:
when did you shave lastP''
Last night" was the response.
Why"
Turn around.' persisted his sister.
what is that court plaster for? Did you
cut yourself?''
"Yes-should say / did-you should
have seen it bleed; but why are You so
curious P''
"Oh, nothing, said Mollie. with quick
glance at me. After breakfast she drew
ma aside.
yes" answered. land l think you
have discovered clue. But say nothing
at present"
My first impulse was to 60 down to the
Office and get permission to take my
weeks holiday then-not difficult thing
to do, as most of the clerks preferred to
take theirs later in the season. My next
to call upon Mr.. Johnston. found him
awaiting my arrival.
81 knew you would come" he said. be-
fore had time to speak. "You can't
stand it either? Well. well I'll let the
place 90 rs Davis advises-only one thou
sand offered-it's too bad-too bad ~
mir Johnson interrupted, '.wait a
minute. haven't given up yet; on the
contrary | think we have clue. Will
you answer me few questions-and be
so good as to ask me none in return
When you lived in the house You saw fig
ures which passed through solid sub
stances-came and went mysteriOusly
&c. Now please try and remember; did
these ghosts bear any resemblance to
members OF your household p''
81 think they sometimes did-but moi
| always. The most horrible to me was
the spirit of the woman who committed
suicide. Mrs. Davis"
Ibid you know Mrs. Davis well ?'
asked
"No. not very well, but well enough
to recognize her. tell YOU it was aw.
full :"
lone more question:" persisted, land
| have done. Did you use the basement
floor at all. and if so. did you see any
spectre while there ?"
| 1.-Two evenings we sat in the breakfas,
room. We could not keep a servant ir
the house, except an old woman who
went home at night. Neither Mrs. John
ston nor myself cared much for going
through the place after nightfall; 50 VIZ
stayed down stairs till the old woman
went home but am positive we never
saw anything strange while there"
THAT is enough-thank you" ! re
piled. ASK me no questions'-as hi
opened his mouth to speak. 'Give m,
the week out. and il | don't disenchan
your house. I'll agree that evil spirits hole
possession"
About noon went home, got Mollie
and went once more to the haunted house
On my way to town | stopped and order
cd four cot beds. which | had placed
two in the breakfast room and two in tn
kitchen. Then | made another thorough
search of the house.
In the cellar [ found window which
though locked securely enough. could b,
a slight effort be opened. The doc
which led into the kitchen from the celia
next claimed my attention. 1t close'
with spring and looked very innocent
but an instant use of my penknife dis
closed the fact that the door. though minu
knob or handle on the cellar side, had
place for a latch key, hid by a piece of pa
lper cunningly applied.
II think we have scotched the snake,
| announced to the boys that evening
but we will thoroughly test the question
before we declare ourselves victors."
We all slept in the basement that nigh
the bows in the kitchen, Mollie and | il
the breakfast room. All quiet Mex
morning called my forces together an
held a consultation. Said l:
Boys and Mollie, here is the case
plain as a pikestaff. We want to live il
this house, if possible. 1t is nice. hand
and desirable. Mollie. you have guesse,
half the ghost riddle. and boys you and
must discover the rest: for the part w
have not discovered is far more dangerou
to our comfort here than is the first hall
My theory Is that this house is haunted b
a person or persons whose objecti is to rem
der the property worthless in the market
Let us darken the house. light the gas