The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-08-27
SELECT STORY.
THE GROANING GH )ST,

THE GR0ANING GH)ST.
Some five and Thirty years ago, when
| was a young man, my fathers bust.
ness xp,rienced a sudden and severe
check. We were many in family and
it was necessary to retrench. We had
to keep horscS to take myself and my
father TO aud from the city. We re
| solved to move within easy reach Of
our place of business. My brother
| and myself passed from house agent
to house agent we inserted advertise
ments we answered advertisements.
| But to no purpose. We had given
notice to quit our own house and
matters were getting pressing. But
late one Saturday afternoon we were
investigating a quarter to which we
had not hitherto penetrated and we
came on the very thing. The house
stood at the corner of quiet, sober
looking, very old fashioned square.
A bill announced that the house was
to let: "Apply next door" We ap-
pied. The door was opened by a
tidy, gray-haired, elderly woman.
"Can we look over the house next
door ?" l said. A rather queer look
crossed the woman's face for moment,
but she answered civllly:
"Certainly, sir. But it is rather
dark now"
$50 it is" said l. "We may come
in daylight if the place is likely to
suit us Can YOU tell us the particu-
lars p The woman enumerated the
rooms and the various features OF the
mansion. All were most suitable.
sand the rent p l inquired, nerv.
ing myself for disappointment. She
named so low figure that l uttered
an involuntary exclamation.
"Yo on see we've had it on our hands
for some time" she explained, "and
we would offer easy terms to good
tenant
And when can we look over it /? Is
it your own property y
"No, sir. But we have the letting
of it, My husband would show you
over tomorrow, sir, if you didn't mind.
He is always away all day, and until
very late at night. He's employed be-
hind the scenes at one of the theatres.
He is master carpenter" We thank
ed her, made an appointment for Sun
day morning, and went home delight
ed. AS we turned out of the square
| | said:
"Did you notice how odd that wom-
an looked when spoke to her? What
did that look mean p
Surprise said my brother, who
was an observant fellow.
Next morning we were received by
the landlord himself. He was a staid,
responsible-looking man, of some 60
years, and we were favorably impress
ed with him. He took us over the
house, and answered our inquiries free
| ly and fully. Everything was salts
factory. l was delighted. But my
brother, who was of cautious tenn
permanent, kept on asking questions
until got fairly angry. AT last he
said
"You don't ask a very high rent.
How's that p
"Why," said the landlord deliberate,
| ly. 'you see this neighbcrhood is out
of fashion now. 1t isn't what it once
was. We've had this house vacan,
for some time, and we're anxious to
let it. You can see there's nothing
wrong about the place. If it were il
the West End you'd pay six or sever
times the rent" His explanation
seemed perfectly straightforward, and
certainly the house bore the closest
scrutiny. Eventually we closed the
bargain.
The next day l was Iunching at my
usual chop-house along with two ol
three acquaintance.
"Still house-hunting, Denton 7" sale
one of these.
"No, thank heaven" / said
"We've got a house at last. In
square"
t square," echoed he thought
fully, Which number have you got ?
"Number 45," said, He threw hi
head back and burst into a fit of laugh
ter. The other men laughed, too.
looked from one to the other for ex
planation.
"When you've done," said I will
dignity.
"Why, don't you know" said my
friend, recovering his gravity, "num
Der As - square, is haunted T.
saw the other men looking at me, SO
put on bold front.
"As if every one didn't know that,
said | composedly. He was somewha
taken aback, but returned to the charge
swell, you'll have plenty of com
pany there" he said. 1--WE shall hay
you appearing in the city with a fin
head of snow white hair, acquired in
single night, Poor old boy !"
"Don't be afraid" | retorted
"There are enough of us to frighte
any ghost, We shall crowd hun out.
II bet you new hat you don't sto
there a week, said he.
"Done with you," said l promptly
"As often as you like. Any one els
want to bet p
No one volunteered, and the subjeC
dropped. But was extremely uncom
Portable. In the course of the afte
noon | took my brother aside and tol
him.
"Phew !" sald he. "That explain