The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-05-30

| stars climb up over the mountains and mirror themselves in the lake below. When the time for chamber lights came, | Van remarked that the maid would show me to my room. As for myself,' said he, with a slightly embarrassed air, ] always take the parlor lounge.' fol- lowed the maid into one of those great front chambers, crept into the huge canopied bed, and slept like Rip Van Wrinkle all night, not even hearing a mouse squeak. Next morning 1 csme down late. Van was in the breakfast room; the waitress was behind the urn 1; man-servant opened the door. All scanned my countenance curiously. How did you sleepp Van ventured. 'Capi- tally replied, whereupon an expression passed over their faces that puzzled me disappointed expectations.
 Well, stayed several days we hunted, 6shed, drove through the woodpath to the village, and was so well pleas with the place that told Van as we drove homeward l would buy it. Did you hear anything either night you slept in that roomp he answered irrelevantly No,' said I. 'WhyY Do you know he replied, 'that neither nor any person in that house would have occupied the room you did for dozen Rhinelands ? I slept there cnce-bah, such noises and people in my room all night. Why, the servants down stairs sat up the night through expecting you to lush in any mo- ment half frightened out of your wits , Why, Van,' said l, you interest me, but think you're joking, or else you want to back out of the sale q assure you it's the solemn truth he replied, and you know want to sell.' Then said l,
 you've given me the greatest possible in- ducement to buy; for my family and I have long been looking for place with real live ghosts to experiment on.' You'll
 find them there,' said he; ask the noun. taineers. You couldn't hire one of them to sleep on the second f1oor.'
 "The tran,fer was made, and the ne xt June we went up to pass the summer at our new place. As witnesses and vouch- CTS for the truth of the strange events that followed permit me to introduce the members ef my household at that time my wife, New England lady, far re- moved from credullty or superstition |; my son and daughter, aged twenty. four and twenty, both having had all the ad- vantages that the best schools could af- ford, and Frank, at least, much more skeptical than his mother or could wish
 The chambermaid, Hattie, rosy French Canadian, bold as Caesar, and Tom, the burly coachman, also shared in our strange experiences.
 My daughters room, and the room 0(NnniaH hty ~,.Ea nd L.. front, on the left of the hall of the small rooms in the rear, one was empty, the other was occupied by Hattie, the maid. On the left of the hall was Franks room, which was opposite ours. Tom, the coachman, slept in the third rear room, at the end Of the hall The first sign of anything unusual appeared in Hattie About week after getting fairly settled, her mistress observed that she did not sing about her work as usual, and was growing pale and nervous. Why, Hat tie, said she, what's the matter? You don't look well. Are you ill2' No she replied, I'm not ill, but I haven't slept well for two or three nights Nv wife owned that she was startled by something in the girls look and actions. What is it, Hattie?' she said kindly The girl was 10th to tell ; at last she said with an effort: 1 know it won't hurt me madam, but there's lady walking about ln my room at night. can't see her, but hear the rustic of her silk dress. She goes up to the window, and l hear her tearing paper, as it might be a letter. to pieces. Then she goes to the stand and pours water in the basin, and washes her hanAS Mo~N I tL aIz l.
 open and she disappears. knowit can't hurt me, but 1t keeps me awake and makes me sick This girl, you must re- member, had not heard that the house was haunted, and probably had never had a thought of ghosts in her simple mind. We'll said my wife, you shall change and take thesroom next me, then you won't feel nevous.' She did so, and next morning declared she had rested undisturbed.
 "A few days passed, and Tom. the coachman, was assailed. One July morning, after lopg search, found Tom sitting on bench by the coach house door in musing attitude. 'Tom,' said l, what's the matter? Nothing, sir, said he. But there is said 1, you look pale and frightened.' 'Oh,' said he, don't like to tell ye yeal laugh at me- insisted. 'Oh,' said he, I've had such a night; my heart thumps yet. You know, sir, hadn't taken drop last night when went to bed. We'll. in the middle of the night nearly fell dead with fear my bed rose up and tipped me out. Bein' a clear, moonlight night, hopped to the window and looked out, thinkin' some Of the boys had played trick on me, but sure, nothin' could l see. Then thought l must have been dreamin', and leaped back to bed again, but the next minnit the bed rose up higher'n before and threw me, coverin' and all, flat on the floor. Oh, was scared; my heart beat, an l thought should faint, but seized my blanket instead and ran out here for the rest of the night We went to Toms room, but found only the heap of clothes on the floor. As for Tom, nothing would induce him to pass another night in the house he had his bed made in the coach