St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-06-08
THE HAUNTED MANSION.
Why I Am a. Ekeptical Concern.
ing Ghosts a. Ever.


present singular story was spending
a few weeks in the City of New Orleans.
One evening, while in company with
some friends-ladies and gentlemen
the conversation turned upon ghosts,
hobgoblins, evil spirits, haunted
houses. and the like; and being great
skeptic in all such matters. freely ex-
pressed myself to that effect, saying
that believed all ghosts to be mere
fancies of timid Missionaries, and the
nocturnal dis:urbers Of haunted houses
to exist only in the fevered magma
lions of ignorant. credulous fools.
There were none present who had
actually seen ghost themselves.
though a number of them had seen q
number of persons who had; and as
for haunted houses, no one was pre-
pared to speak from actual experience,
though q few of such reputed places
were known to the excited believers.
WELL" said l, rather boastfully.
''if there is such thing as haunted
house in the universe-haunted by
spirit-devils and not man-devils-I
should like nothing better than to pass
night in one"
.Would you dare to do it," inquired
very pretty young lady. fixing her
large, black eyes upon me, with an ex-
preston that thought implied some
doubt Of my courage.
TRY me and see!" replied, with a
dignified bow.
Good faith, then, we willr rejoined
an excited gentleman, as he seized me
by the button. There is a splendid
mansion, some two or three miles
above the city. which is fast going to
decay, in the midst of beautiful
orange grove, because no one cares to
live in it! Come! to put your boast
ing to the test, I will wager you a
champagne supper that you dare not
pass the night there. alone, from sun
to sum-
Il take the bet!' returned I. prompt
ly-for the least hesitation then would
have brought upon me a storm OF
ridicule. "Now. what night shall We
name for the venture. and how shall
Iobtain entrance into the building?"
Il will let you choose your own
night. answered the other; land as
the doors of the mansion are always
unlocked. and frequently standing
open. you can enter any time. without
let or hindrance.
If not too soon for your purpose,
will name tomorrow night for the
great trial OF my nerves by super
natural agency. But give fair warn
ing to all whom it may concern" l
added. slightly. COMPRISING my lips.
and speaking in that tone Of stern de-
termination which always shows the
individual to be in serious earnest,
..that I shall 60 well armed, and be
likely to try the effect OF a few leaden
balls upon whatever object. either Of
this world or the other. shall venture
to disturb my peaceful tranquility!
Ard if you do shoot a ghost"
laughed one of the most skeptical OF
the ladies. .'pray bring it of. and have
it stuffed for future exhibition"
by my faith, believe such things
are all stuff" rejoined. in a merry
mood.
Well, matters being all settled for
the subsequent trying Of my nerves
and the shaking of my skepticism. l
took leave of the company at n sea-
sonable hour. repaired to my hotel,
and slept soundly till morning.
The next day provided myself with
two brace of pistols. a couple OF
sheath-knives. bottle of brandy and
basket OF provisions; and in the aft
ernoon, accompanied by the gentle
man with whom l had laid the wager
and two others, rode out to the haunt
cd mansion to make a reconnaissance
in force. When it was first pointed
out to me. looming up grandly beauti-
full from amid a delightful orange
grove, l believed my companions were
testing, not thinking it possible that so
lovely a place had been abandoned for
what appeared to me 50 trifling q cause
as superstitious spirit-deviltries. Rid
ing past it some little distance, we left
the carriage. entered the grounds on
foot, and approached the building
through an avenue of trees. There
was an air of desertion and desolation
about the premises that l confess sent
a chill through me at the very first
Could there possibly be any truth In
the strange report concerning its I'M
natural tenants? Pshaw! what nom
sense! The structure itself was large.
rOomy and grand, with marble steps.
futed columns. tesselated floors and
stone stairs. The doors were open,
and the whole house empty. dusty and
decaying-a fit abode for painful and
gloomy contemplation.
We explored every portion above
ground. but did not descend into the
cellars. the doors of which were locked.
a fact that struck me as somewhat
singular. When my friends got ready
to depart told them they might leave
me there-that. Heaven and the Other
fface permitting, should spend the
night under that roof-and that, II
they felt any interest in my fate, they
might come for me the next morning
at sunrise. They all shook hands
with me, confessed they did not envy
me my nights lodging and possible