Nevada County picayune., 1889-05-29
THE HAUNTED MANSION.
Why Am as Skeptical Concerning
 Ghosts as Ever.

In the fall of lS52 (SaYS an ac- quaintancc to whom we are indebted for the present singular story) 1 was l spending a few weeks in the city of New Orleans. One evening, while in company with some friends-ladies and conference.-the conversation turned upon ghosts, hobgoblins, evil spirits, haunted houses, and the like :; and being a great skeptic in all such matters, l freely expressed myself to that effect, saving that believed all 1 ghosts to he mere fancies of timid visionaries, and the nocturnal dis turbers of haunted houses to exist only in the fevered imaginations of 1 ignorant, credulous fools.
 There were none present who had actually seen a ghost themselves. though a number of them had seen a number of persons who had; and as for haunted houses, no one was prepared to speak from actual expert cnce, though few of such reputed places were known to the excited believers.
 "WelI. " said I, rather boastfully. if there is such thing as a haunted house in the universe-haunted by spirit-devils and not man-devils-I should like nothing better than to pass a night in one.
 "Would you dare to do it?" in- quired a very pretty young lady, fixing her large, black eyes upon me, with an expression that l thought implied scme doubt of my courage. "
 Try me and see." replied, with digntied bow.
 "Good faith, then, we wilI," re- joined an excited gentleman. as he seized me by the button. |Ihere is 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 boasting to the test, l will wager you champagne supper that you dare not pass the night there, alone, from sun to sun,'
 II take the bet - returned L, promptly-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 l obtain entrance into the building;"
 II will let you choose your own night, " answered the other; and 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 1 will name tomorrow night for the great trial of my nerves by super natural agency. But l give fair warning to all whom itmay concern, V l added, slightly compressing my lips, and speaking in that tone of stern determination which always shows the individual to be in serious earnest, that l shall go well armed, and be likely to try the effect of q few leaden balls upon whatever object, either of this world or the other, shall venture to disturb my peaceful tranquility!'
 And if you do shoot ghost, laughed one of the most akeptical of the ladies, 'pray bring il off, and have it stuffed for future exhibition. "
 By my faith, believe such things are all stulG"' 1 rejoined, in q 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 sea sonablc hour, repaired to my hotel, and slept soundly till morning.
 The next day l provided myself with two brace of pistols, a couple of shnath.kniNes. bottle of brandy and