The Washington critic., 1886-10-28
THE HAUNTED CHAMBER,
OR now THEY CHOSE AMAy QUEEN.

Parson Cole was an eccentric sort of
character, though learned divine, and
an excellent man. lie lived In the
country, on his own farm, being a man
Of substance, and he and his amiable
wife taught private school for young
ladies. The girls were boarded aud
lodged by Mr. Cole at his own house.
and in all respects treated as members
of his own family; and as the situation
was healthy, and in sight Of the beau.
.tiiul village of l., the school was
considered very desirable one by
those who knew the merits of the
teachers. The number of scholars was
limited to twenty, and as no girl under
the age of ten was admitted, and as
those who did come were handsome
and well or, the Parsons residence be
came spot consecrated In the imagina-
tions of all the young men in that region
of country. The Parson's daughters, rs
they were called were q lively, romp.
ing, happy set and as they
walked out in the afternoon to
gather flowers they knew they
this did not in the least restrain their
gaiety, or prevent them from indulg-
ing in that "frolic glee" of which
school misses are fond, while their
merry voices rang softly and sweetly
over hill and dale. Now, as We said,
the Parson was eccentric; he had a
place for everything, it's true, but
everybody else thought everything in
the wrong place. That he might en-
Joy his books without the fear of inter-
ruption, and indulge, at times, in soli-
tary study and holy meditation, he had
fitted up chamber in one end of his
house; chamber admirably suited for
the purposes for which it was designed, +,
being removed from the noisy part of
the labyrinthian ediice, and ap-
preached through long, narrow, dark
and crooked passages. In this cham
Der, for purposes best known to him.
self, the Parson kept some rare
curiosities; but it is not our purpose
to give descriptive list or catalogue
of these natural and artificial wonders.
Suffice it to say they lent an
air of quaintness to the place, and in.
duced tho servants, and others who
had been there readily to believe that,
as Mrs. Cole asserted. the chamber
was haunted. The good lady often. at
table and in presence of her boarders,
urged her spouse to fit up IA study some.
where else, bat the old man declared
that he liked to spend his time where
familiar spirits of another world
seemed fond of holding counsel, though
he earnestly urged his pupils to obey
his injunctions, and not to venture in a
place where their superstitiOus fancies
might discover the most frightful ap.
partitions. 1t became a rule of school,
in fact, that no girl was to visit, on
any preienCc, the haunted chamber,
and thus, as Parson Cole iattered him.
self, he could there have everything
his own way and enjoy his studies un
interrupted.
The Parson had nephew residing
in a distant part of the country, the
only son and heir of an eminent citl
zen Of great wealth, and>a young man
famous for his accomplishment and
manly beauty. OF this youth, whose
name was Edward Cole, every girl in
school had often heard. and the an
nouncement that he was shortly to visit
his uncle created quite stir and eX
citement. There were many hearts
that beat quicker at the Intelligence
and there were some even that began
already to feel new and tender sensa
tion. There was, for several days, au
unusual attention paid to the adorn
ment of their persons by Parson Cole S
daughters, and every arrival caused q
sudden and violent palpitation One
day the girls got intelligence that {
strange young man had arrived, and,
as may be expected, they came to din.
1. al -,
with hearts wildly beating; but judge
of the disappointment of each, as shC
entered and was presented to plainly
dressed young man by the name
of Henry Williams. He was mo lest
simple, hearted lad, but learned withal
and won largely on the affections o
Parson Cole, who strenuously urget
him to study divinity, and declared that
young as he was, he intended to hav
him appointed tutor to his nephew
The youth bore these Communications
meekly, and as he had come to see Par
son Cole to solicit the latter's influence
in getting him the situation Of princlpa
of the village academy he agreed t
wait until the Parson could see hi
nephew In the meantime he 0musa,
himself with books, seeing the yOul.
ladies only at table, at which time h
and the Parson discoursed at length ol
literary, historical and religious sub
jects.
"Wh0t II bore that Youth is!' sat
Emma Walters one night whilo in com
pany with several of her companions
"lie seems to be thousand year
old" remarked Susan Staudish, IAN
in his sublime meditatons entirely ah
stracted from the world, | get 50 slcI
of his everlasting talk about the i'm
mortality of the soul, the nature o
man, ard the chief good, aud all tina
sort of stuff. wonder when Elwar
Cole is coming?'
"And would you think il?' agail
spoke Miss Walters, "Ellen Saunder
is delighted with him"
with whom" asked Agnes Thorpe
the belle of the school; mot Mr. Cole
hope, for | want to sec him first
Edward Cole, indeed, eNclaime
Miss Walters; "pOOr Ellen neYc
aspires so high, She samoeli creaIur,
and listens to the musty philosophy &
Williams as II his words were tn
sweetest music"
Eyes, and | have observed" sal
Jane Anderson, chat she has begun t
take unusual pains with her dress, an
that the sentiments of Mr., Willian
have already affected her mind Sh
will not 90 what he thinks Is wrong
and what he praises Is her delight, Br
here comes the loyclorn lassle hersel
Ellen, they say you are In love"
The girl spoken to blushed crimson
and exclaimed. "Whntl | In love p