The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-01-27
A REAL GHOST STORY.


Franks, two sons, Harry and Lionel, and
two daughters, Nora and Bah. as many as
fourteen young people were staying in the
house, and in a few days large bah was to
be given. We were all at that happiest time
of life, between seventeen and twenty-five
we were all old friends, had known one an
other from childhood and were in the wild
est spirits many innocent fiirtations were
being carried on, with much discussion about
our partners and dresses for the forthcoming
ball, and we were, indeed. a very happy
party whilst Mr. aud Mrs. Franks were kind
and ndulgent TO fault to us young people.
1t was a large, rambling old house, the
rooms opening one out Of the other, with un-
expected doors in the walls, concealed by
their being papered, leading up narrow
statrcases to other rooms never inhabited,
hardly ever entered. Four bedrooms opened
one into the other in this way, large and Gu
riously shaped; and in these four rooms all
we girls were Iocated-seven Of US. It was
narrow wing of the house, some of the
windows facing the lawns ard strawberries,
some overlooking a courtyard, into which
opened the kitchen and the dairy. My rea-
ders must forgive me if this description
seems tedious, but it Is necessary in order
to better understand the rest of my story.
The night of the ball arrived as many as
two hundred members Of the surrounding
families, from far and near came the ar
rangements were perfect, and dancing was
kept up with much spirit to a very lac, or
rather very early hour. 1 well remember
that we saw the last of the guests of in
broad daylight, and that some of US preferred
having tea and a stroll in the garden in the
lovely moring air to seeking our beds at all.
We were very popular set OF young people.
and ball succeeded bail in the neighborhood
all given IN our honor; and our kind host
and hostess insisted upon our prOlonging
our visit to participate in all these gaieties.
1t was the evening preceding one on
which ball was to be given about five
miles distant dressmaker was to come in
the evening to look at our dresses, and. BY
putting new bows and flowers, to freshen
them up for the occasion. We had Just fin
ished dinner, at about eight O'Clock. and
were chatting over dessert, when a servant
came to tell Nora and Bah that Miss Saxbv
was ready to try on their dresses. They i'm
mediately went to her. and in few mo-
ments 1 followed them upstairs. to see what
they were having done 1t was a wide.
handsome staircase, terminating in a long
corridor, OFF which opened most Of the prin
cipal bed rooms half way up, at the turn
OF the stairs was high painted window.
went up in the dark, and was surprised
to see standing by the window a man appar-
emily in uniform, with short military cloak
thrown carelessly over one shoulder. As
went on, this figure seemed to vanish and
distinctly heard tie opening and shutting of
two doors at the end OF the corridor leading
into some Of the vacant rooms. L thought it
might possibly be a trick played on me bv
some of the young men in the house. so re-
turned to see who was absent, but they were
all there in tie dining room. / procured a
candle and again went up to the girls, max
ing no remark on what had seen until the
dress maker had gone, when L told Nora
She turned quite pale, made me repeat nv
story, and then told US she had seen the same
figure in the same position and in the same
place. OF course we were much laughed at
and no one would believe a word of our
story.
We went to bed early that night having
late hours in prospect for the morrow. We
girls were all talking and laughing in the
hrst OF the four rooms / have already de-
scrbed. In the midst of our merliment
there came suddenly crash so loud and
fearful that we thought every plate and
dish in the kitchen and dairy must be bro
ken. This was followed by the sound of
heavy chains clanking as if being dragged
across the stone yard and long piteous
whine from old Leo, who was chained up in
his kennel just outside the dairy door We
all started and clung to one another Tie
/ noises had been heard in all parts of the
{ house, for Mr.. and Mrs. Franks came to our
/ door to know what was the matter, and we
heard the young men and the servants mOv-
/ ing. As NJ reason could be assigned for the
/ disturbance it was suggested that Bah and
/ Harry with one Of the men-servants should
/ go down and see what had caused so much
noise. They were gone some time, but
could throw no light upon the mystery when
they returned. Nothing was broken, moth
ing even displaced, but Leo seemed much
I terrified and reluctant to be left in his ken
mel. We all tried to be brave and separated
to our different rooms.
The next night was the ball at Yoking.
and we did not return until day was break
ing we were all too weary even to talk
about the previous nights adventure. The
following night at about twelve O'Clock we
were all aroused by the same mysterious
crashing sound, a still more decided drag
ging OF chains mixed with piercing shIieks
and howl upon howl fIom Leo. We were
terribly alarmed. Poor Nora tainted dead
away we called loudly to the boys and ser
wants to come, but when we were all assem-
bleG, pale and trembling, no one would ven
ture upon a second visit of inspection. 1t
was impossible to return to our beds and we
waited impatiently for daylight. The sub
ject was much discussed in the morning and
Nr. Franks determined that some means
should be taken to find out who OF what was
causing so much alarm ana discomfort 1t
was at last resolved that the gardener should
that night keep watch in the kitchen. that
he was to keep a gun ready loaded. which
he was to fire if in need of assistance he
was strong, powerful man and laughed at
the idea OF any mystery, bat thought there
might be tTamps about who for some reason
were trying to alarm the family. We were
all so nervous that when night came I for
one fatty refused to 90 alone to nv room.
which was the last of the four l have mem
toned, so we girls decided to slt M together
until after the hour at which he had been
disturbed on the two previous occasions
As the hour approached we were ioined by
two other members of the family. Itseemed
that al were feeling restless and uneasy,
and not without reason