Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-10-20

very thing. A simultaneous exclamatio
burst from both of us. The house stood at tt
corner of quiet, sober-looking, very oil
fashioned square. Being the corner hous
it was larger than the other houses. W
had gained some experience by this tim
and we saw at glance that the place W;
almost certain to uit us.
| A bill in one of the numerous window
announced that the house was to let: ga
ply next door" We applied. The 6ot
was opened by tidy, gray-haired elder
woman.
| 'Can we look over the house next door?
said. A rather queer look crossed I'll
woman's face for moment, but she al
swered civilly:
Certainly, sir. But it is rather dal
now"
so it is," said I. "We may come
daylight if the place is likely to suit u
Can you tell US the particulars" The W,
man enumerated the rooms and the varioU
| features of the mansion. All were mo-
suitable.
''And the rent inquired. nerving my
self for disappointment She named s
low figure that I uttered an involuntar
| exclamation.
Ou set We We Hdu III Ou OuT uduuS IL
some time, she explained, ''and we woul
offer easy terms to a good tenant
'And when can we look over it?'
asked. 'Is it your own property
''No, sir. But we have the letting of ii
My husband would show you over to-mol
row, sir, if you didn't mind. He is alway
away all day and until very late at night.
sis he house agent"
''No, sir. He's employed behind th
scenes at one of the theatres. He is mas
ter carpenter" We thanked her. made al
appointment for Sunday morning, and wen
home delighted. AS we turned out of tn
square, said:
"Did you notice how oddd that woman
looked when spoke to herr What did tba
look meap?'
Surprise" said my brother, who wa
an observant fellow.
81 suppose she thought we were too grea
swells for the neighborhood, said laugh
ing.
s'Gadl I like the look of the place
Quiet, respectable and old-fashioned."
We announced our success at home, tt
the great relief of everybody. Next morn
ing we kept our appointment and were re-
ceived by the landlord himself. He was a
staid, responsible looking man of some 6(
years, and we were fasorabiy im pTeSscS wi d
him. He took us over the house. I'D an
swered our questions freely and fully
Everything was satisfactory. l was de-
lighted. But my brother, who was of a
cautious temperament, kept On asking
questions until got fairly angry Firsl
he got on to matters of drains, and when be
had been reduced to silence on this head,
he was most pertinacious on the subject OF
damp. At last he said:
''YOu don't ask very high rent. How's
that?
"Wby," said the landlord deliberately,
and turning his cap in bis hands, ''you see
this neighborhood is out of fashion now.
1t isn't what it once was. We've had this
house vacant for some time. and we're anx-
ious to let it. You can see there's nothing
wrong abont the place. If it were in the
West End, you'd pay six or seven times the
rent" His explanation seemed perfectly
str ghtforward, and certainly the house
bore the closest scrutiny. Eventually we
closed the bargain.
T. e next day l was lunching at my usu-
al chop house along with two Or three ac-
1uaintances.
s'Still house hunting Denton?" said one
of these.
''No, thank heaven? I said. "We've got
a house at last. In-Squere
Square. echoed he thoughtfully.
''Whv, Squire is the -. Which
number have you got?'
Number 49," said He threw his head
back and burst into fit of laughter The
other men laughed too. looked from one
to the other for exclamation
''When you've done," said 1 with dig
nifty.
"Why don't you know" said my friend,
recovering his gravity. "Number 45 -
Square. is haunted?" saw the other men
locking at me, so put on bold front.
Gas if every one didn't know that" said
composedly. He was somewhat taken
aback. but returned to the charge.
'Well, you'll have plenty of company
there,'' he said. "We shall have you ap-
pearing in the CITY with fine head of snow
white hair, acquired in single night.
Poor old boyI'
''Don't you be afraid,' I retnrted
''There are enough of us to frighten any
ghost. We shall crowd him OUT
II bet you new hat you don't stop there
a week." said he.
A'hS "iSh Jous oesiu 40
often as you like. Any one else want to
bet?"
No one volunteered, and the subject
dropped. But was extremely uncomfort-
able. In the course of the afternoon took
my brother aside aud told him.
"Phew!' said he. "That explains the
low rent. But it's rather serious. The
governor can't stand anything Of the sort
You know how nervous he is''
''Yes, l know" said. And it strikes
me that the best thing we can do is to move
into the house ourselves, so that we can
tell him the story is myth, if any one lets
it out to him. just you and l."
"Right, said he. ''We have taken the
house and we can't afford to lose the mon
ey. Besides, it's such capital place"
The whole family were to move in about
three weeks time. We had no difficulty
in finding pretext for preceding them, anC
it was arranged that some of the bed room
furniture should be Immediately sent te
our new domicil. We we're going to sci
most of our furniture in our West Enc
house, and the new furniture could bt
bought Immediately. and placed in No 45
So at about 10 O'Clock one evening, after {
substantial dinner in town, we lot our
selves to our new abode by means OF the
key, and took possession. A bright fire
lit by our lapdlady, was blazing in th'
kitchen. We had plentiful supply @
whiskey and tobacco, and we made our
selves comfortable with our slippers ant
lounging coats. and prepared for nightof it
''Uucommonly comfortable" said m,
brother approvingly. s.Gsd, the old lad,
knows how to make f;re!"
"And what gratel And chimney a
big as blast furnace. There is nothin,
like one of these old fashioned kitchens fo
comfort" Ensconced in our chimney corn
ers, we passed the time luxuriously enough
We had made up Our minds to sit up al
night and show the ghost what manner Q
men be had to deal with.
"We'll take the ghost by the horns,
said my brothea 81 only hope we shan
have to take Il devil by his" Iwas nc