New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-02-18
TACKLING THE SPIRITS.
A Thrilling Tale of Haunted House In
Noe Valley.


expressed incredibly the narrator, Il.
ID. Graham, insisted that it was a gcnu-
inc simon-pure article of ghost" as
he himself had plainly seen it within a
few feet, as had number of other re-
pntable citizens There can be no
doubt of this much-that Mr.. Graham,
individually, is convinced that it is q
veritable ':spook.'
1t appears that for long time there
stood on the corner of Larkin street
and Willow avenue two-story frame
house, which had been known in the
neighborhood rs the '.haunted house."
and because of this reputation no ten
ant could be secured for it, About two
weeks ago this building was removed
to the vicinity of Twenty-seventh
and Castro streets, but change of loca-
ton does not seem to have Quoted the
uneasy spirits who seem to have
acquired perpetual lease, and the
fresh air OF its present suburban loca-
ton has evidently endowed its inmates
with renewed vigor. Ever since its
removal to that quarter, as the story
goes. the neighborhood. has been kept
in constant dread and ferment by
unearthly groans, mysterious lights, and
agnized shrieks emanating from this
dreaded habitation. Belated passengers
have told of spectral figures and ghost
ly orgies until the whole vicinity has
become aroused.
Monday night party consisting OF
r. d. Graham, William Curtin, and
George Kamp, all living in the neigh
| horhood, organized themselves into an
investigating committee, believing that
some mischievous persons were simply
playing pranks on the credulous neigh
bors. But whether man, devil, or
ghost, certain it is that one solitary
spook routed the whole crowd, for NO
sooner had they approached within q
stones throw of the house than q tall
white spectre started out of the gloom
toward them. On 1t came, robed In the
white vestments of death, without 4
rustic, with an awful, calm, and majes-
tic mien that struck terror to the souls
of the investigators, and for = moment
froze the marrow in their bones. Then
Graham, armed with q knife, which
was the only weapon possessed by the
party, started to meet the dreadful
apparition, but, as in Hamlet's case,
his two companions held him back,
fearing for his safety, and then, as the
Hateful spirit seemed to descend short
flight of steps within ten feet of them
"a daylight visit made by Graham to
the spot fails to show any step at this
house), the terrors of the situation
overcame them and they incontinently
fled the spot. When in full flight and
about half block from the house thew
encountered another ghostly figure, but
this faded away into thin air upon their
approach.
Not satisfied with this exploit, Mr..
Graham and Mr.. Kamp determined to
organize another force, and succeeded
in enlisting the services of Edward
Finnell, J. Matthews, and Patrick Drew,
and thus reinforced they determined to
again attempt solution of the awful
mystery. 1t was now ~ o'clock; that
dread hour
When church-yards yawn. and graves give
| up their dead.
and with bated breath and quickcned
pulse the little band advanced upon
their fearful errand.
AS they approached the whole house
seemed enveloped in CHASTITY blue fire,
while the most terrible groans, sobs, and
cries echoed through the building, as
though a whole regiment Of damned
souls were undergoing Internal tor
ments. Then above all this horrible
tumult arose a wailing, dirge-like song
that sent terror through every nerve,
and CONCEALED the Precipitation in beads
on the forehcads of the party. Then
there was seen for just a moment two
of the supposed disembodied spirits;
but upon further advance of the men
they faded away. Yet, almost immedi-
ately after, another white figure appear.
present, and the ring has been on my
finger ever since. Some time after
ward, when l was contemplating its
strange workmanship, l succeeded in
pulling it from my finger, and was
much surprised at seeing engraved on
the inside some words, which, though
nearly rubbed out by the wear of time,
were still legible. Now, Your Imperial
Highness, what do you think were the
words engraved upon it? Think when
you hear them you will take some in
terest in the ring"
"Ah! and pray what were they?"
THE words engraved upon the inside
were, Empress of Russia This ring
had undoubtedly been presented by an
Empress of Russia to the relatives of
Mrs. Wildermatt, for Twas told that
both this lady and her mother had for
merly belonged to the household of the
Czarina, your most august grandmoth-
err"
''This is really remarkable" said the
Grand Duke, thoughtfully. Il am
quite superstitious, and am really in
clined to regard this ring. if l should
as pledge of your love, as an omen of
very suspicious significance"
In answer to this second and even
more direct appeal to her heart, the
Princess took a small piece of bread,
played carelessly with it, and managed
to pass the ring into the soft crumbs.
Then she dropped it playfully on the
table quite close to the plate of her
neighbor. And, after this adroit exhi-
bition of her skill as an actress, she con-
tinued to eat as unconcernedly as If she
had performed the most trivial action
of her life.
With the same apparent GOODNESS and
Indifference the Grand Duke picked up
the bread inclosing the ring, took the
latter out of its ingenious envelope and
concealed it in his breast, for it was too
small to fit any of his fingers. It was
this ring-both the pledge of Charlotte s
love and the suspicious omen of his
own elevation to the imperial dignity
which Nicholas wore on a golden
chain around his neck to the very last
day of his life, and which, if we are not
mistaken, has even descended with him
into the vault of his ancestors.
Three years afterward, in 1917, Prin-
cess Charlotte, then only 10 years OF
age, and in the full splendor of beauty
and happiness, made her entry into st.
Petersburg by the side Of her husband,
whoco ovo hod no$or 1ookad ,-o,,do.