The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-09-08

time as you please Rent is out of the
question; the obligation will be on my side,
should you be able to discover the cause OF
the strange phenomena which at present
deprive it of all value. cannot let it, for
1 cannot even get servant to keep 1t IN
order or answer the door. Unluckily, the
house is haunted, if l may use that express
sion, not only by night but by day; though
at night the disturbances are OF more I'M
pleasant and sometimes of more alarming
character. The poor old woman who died
in it three weeks ago was pauper whom
[ took out of a workhouse; for in her child
hood she had been known to some of my
family, and had once been in such good
circumstances that she had rented that
house of my uncle. She was woman of
superior education and strong mind, and
was the only person could ever induce to
remain in the house Indeed, since her
death, which was sudden, and the coroners
inquest, which gave it a notoriety in the
neighborhood, have so despaired of find !
ing any person to take charge of it, much
more tenant, that would willingly let it
rent free for year to any one who would
pay its rates and taxes"
Chow long ago did the house acquire
this character ?"
''That l can scarcely tell you, but many
years snce the old woman spoke of said
it was haunted when she rented it, between
thirty and forty years ago. The fact is,
that my life has been spent in the East In
dies, and in the civil service of the COM
pany. l returned to England last year,
on inheriting the fortune of an uncle,
amongst whose possessions was the house in
question | found it shut up and unin-
habited. | was told that it was haunted,
and no one would inhabit it. | smiled at
what seemed to me so idle story. Ispent
some money in repainting and roofing it,
added to its old fashioned furniture a few
modern articles, advertised it, and obtained
a lodger for year: He was colonel re-
tired on half pay. He came in with his
family, son and daughter, and four or
five servants; they all left the house the
next day; aud although they deposed that
they had all seen something different, that
something was equally terrible to all. L
could not in conscience sue, or even blame,
the colonel for breach ofagreement. Then
| put in the old woman [ have spoken Of
and empowered her to let the house in ap-
partmeats. l never had one ledger who
stayed more than three days. do not tell
you their stories; to no two dodgers have
exactly the same phenomena been repeated,
1t is better that you should judge for your
self, than enter the house with an imagi- |
nation influenced by previous narratives;
only be prepared to see and hear something
or other, and take whatever precautions
you yourself please. "
@HaVe you never had q curiosity your
self to pass night in that house?'
ayes; passed, not a night, but three |
hours in the broad daylight alone in that
house. My curiosity is not satisfied, but
it is quenched. I have no desire to renew
the experiment, You cannot complain,
you see sir, that am not sufficiently can
did; and unless your interest be exceeding
ly eager and your nerves unusually strong,
l honestly add that I advise you not to pass
night in that house"
"My interest is exceedingly keen" said
/; sand though only coward will boast of
his nerves in situations wholly unfamiliar
to him, yet my nerves have been seasoned
in such variety of danger that l have the
right to rely on them. even in haunted
house"
Mr.. j said very little more, he took !
the keys of the house out of his bureau
and gave them to me; and, thanking him
cordially for his frankness and his urbane
concession to my wish, ] carried off my
prize.
Impatient for the experiment, as soon as
l reached home l summoned my confden
tial seryant,-a young man of gay spirits,
fearless temper, and as free from supersti-
tious prejudice as any one 1 could think of.
Of" said |, lyon remember in
Germany how disappointed We were at
not finding a ghost in that old castle, which
was said to be haunted by headless appa-
rition? Well, have heard of house in
London which, ! have reason to hope, is
decidedly haunted. 1 mean to sleep there
tonight From what I hear, there is no
doubt that something will allow itself to be
seen or to be heard,-something perhaps
excessively horrible. Do you think, if l
take yon with me, l may rely on your
presence of mind, whatever may happen?"
30, sir, pray trust me !" said be, grin
ming with delight.
Every well, then; here are the keys of
the house; this is the address. Go now,
select for me any bedroom you please; and
since the house has not been inhabited for
weeks, make up good fire, air the bed
well; see, of course, that there are candles
as well as fuel. Take with you my revol-
yer and my dagger,-so much for my weap-
ens,-arm yourself equally well and if we
are not match for dozen ghosts, we shall
be but sorry couple of Englishmen.
II was engaged for the rest of the day
on business so urgent that had not leis
ure to think much on the nocturnal adj
venture to which had plighted my honor.
1 dined alone and very late, and while din
ming read, as is my habit. The volume I
selected was one of Macaulay's essays, |