Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-04-04
Gales and Sketfbes.
rnE MAuxrED HorsE.

> WiBc 8uu Two CullIESu-dS pfttkt Wlle
and ~ nice little children as can be found
within hundred miles of Bristol. and /
am prepared TO fight any man-smaller
than myself. who pretends to deny it.
Now, having a pretty wife and nice
children. ] naturally desire to place them
in . good position. have weakness
for nice house. plenty Of pictures, fine
china, and 80 forth. So has my wife.
Ike n see Mrs. Martin dressed hand
somely, and my little ones looking as well
as my next door neighbor's children.
Mrs. Martin does not object to being
handsomely dressed, and dotes upon
adjoining our little ones until they look
like little fairies.
Now it must be obvions to the mean
est capacity. that clerks salary would
not secure large house filled with fine
art. Mrs. Martin and myself talked the
matter over. and we agreed that the thing
was impossible, the sum TO be expended
could not be made 10 procure all these
things. Said my wife
"You know, Dick, the rent of good
house in q good neighborhood is more
than half your salary. and IT Is impossible
for us TO live fairly and dress decently on
what remains-even though do make all
nets
was thinking over the matter next day
down at the Office, and Molly's words,
"You know, Dick, the rent is more than
half your salary" kept ringing in my
ears.
OF course I knew Il, The rent-that
was the stick. II could get nice house
for small sum-"Owncrs going abroad"
or something Of that sort-we might make
the rest work by careful management.
''No user' sighed. Nice houses do
not rent for nothing" And I was about
when my friend Johnston came in to see
me.
whats the matter. Martin ?' he said.
.You look a. sober rs Judge"
Nothing" | answered obviously
..only wishing could rent nice house
for only about thirty pounds year"
Johnston looked at me seriously for a
moment; then drawing closer to me, he
said:
an give you your rent free if you'll
agree to live in it It's furnished in good
style. toe, everything to your hand"
"Where Is it p'' ! asked.
Johnston mentioned the street and num-
whats the matter with Pr demand
ed.
my friend put his lips close to my ear
and whispered one awful word:
Haunted"
''Is that ALP Well. as | am not afraid
of anything in the ghost line, and Mollie
is not one Bit timid, | will agree to live
there rs long as You are pleased to accept
thanks for rent"
"All right, Martini" said Mr.. Johnston.
II shall be glad to have you try it; but !
give you give you fair warning that YOU
won't be able to stand it. I've had ten
tenants in two years. and the boldest only
remained there three weeks. tried it
myself, but it was no use I had to leave. -
''What happened ?" ! asked. eagerly.
"Oh. saw horrible things" said John
ston, turning pale. Don't ask me-"
just then was called away by Gus
toner, and had no further opportunity to
think about the matter.
After our little ones were in bed tor the
night told my wife all about it. and
asked her opinion in regard to it. Neither
of us being superstitious. we decided To
give the house a trial. Said Mollie:
"I'll send the children to Aunt Kate s
and 90 with you. We can live in the
house till we see whether we can unearth
the ghost"
Next day l saw Johnston. asked for a
history of the house. and told him of our
determination To give IL trial"
"All right, said my friend. IL know
you are brave man. and your wife true
as steel; nevertheless. have no faith in
your ability to outwit the ghosts. and
ghosts certainly hold possession of that
house. If you can. you shall have five
years. lease for nothing. | built the
house; before 1t was completed | was
called away by the death OF my father. |
left my business in the hands of my part
ner Davis. telling him that when the
house was finished he could occupy it un-
iii my return. Davis did move in. but
terrible misfortuncs overlook him. His
only child--a lovely little girl--was at
tackled with scarlet fever. and died. The
mother insane with grief. committed sui
eide. Poor Davis. he couldn't endure
the house after that and let. giving per-
mission to his nephew. George Madden.
to occupy It. George was a pretty wild
boy, but he had about that time married =
French woman with some money. and
was glad of the chance to live IN so good
house, rent free Mrs. Madden was an
ambitious woman, and. it seems, was not
satisfied with the plaiuness of the house.
She spent considerable sum of money
decorating the ceilings and placing mir
rors In almost every place mirror could
be placed. You know q French woman
will have mirrors and curtains if she goes
without shoes or stockings.
''After came home l concluded to live in
the house myself, and gave to the Mad
dens notice to leave. You never saw any.
thing like the rage madam flew into. and
some pretty warm words passed between
her husband and myself. The upshot OF
the matter was bought the furniture and
paid good price for the mirrors-since
they could not be removed without dis
figuring the walls. Well. lived in il
Just one week, and gave up in despair,
having frightened my wife into nervous
fever and made my child coward for
life, fear. have told You the whole
story and advise you not TO take your wife
and children with you until you have given
the house trial yourself" were the clos
ing words OF my friend.
reported my interview with Johnston
to Mollie. but she remained firm in her
determination to accompany me.
= l. Al Il. II