Oxford eagle., 1889-04-18
THE HAUNTED MANSION.
Why I Am ~ Skeptical Concern
ns Chests ss Ever

In the iAII Of 1859 (ssys m acqtlaint-
anre To whom we are indebted for the
present singular story1 was spending
few weeks IN the City OF New Orleans.
One evening. while in company with
some friends-Iadies and gentlemen
the conversa.iou turned upon ghosts.
hobgublins. evil spirits, haunted
houses. and the like, and being a great
sISeptic in all such matters. freely ex-
pressed myself % that effect. saying
that believed all ghosts ID be mere
fancies Of tinid visionaries. and the
nocturnal dist1rrbers OF haunted houses
TO exist only in the tevered imagina-
tions of ignorant. credulous fools.
There were none present who had
actlallY seen n ghost themselves.
though 4 number OF them had seen
number OF persons who had; and ~
for haunted houses. no one WIS pre-
pared to speak from actual experiences.
though 4 few OF such repused places
were known &c the excited believers.
Well said I. rather boastfuIIy.
''H there Is such thing n haunted
house in the universe-haunted by
spi-it-.ievils and not man-devifs-I
should like nothing better than to pass
u night in one.
Would you durs To do itT' inquired
very pretty young lady. fixing her
Lsirge. black eyes upon me. with m ex-
preston that [ thought implied some
doubt Of my courage
Try M and seer replied. with a
dignified bow
-tiood fIith. then. we wilI-' reioined
IA exeited gentleman. AZ he seized me
by the button. There is 4 splendid
mansion. some two or three miles
above the city. which Is tast going to
decay. in the midst OF n beautiful
orange grove. because no one cares to
live in IT, Couel TO put your boast-
ing 10 the test. viii wager you a
champague supper that you dare not
Pass the night there. alone. from sun
70 sun
Il take the betrf returned T. prompt
ly-f0r the least hesitation then would
have brought upon me- storm of
ridlcuIe- Vow. what night shall we
name for the venture. and how shall
IobtaIn eutrance into the buildinga''
i VIII let you choose your own
nighL answered the other; and a.
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. I
VIII 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"
added. slightly compromising my lips.
and speaking IN that tone of stern de-
termination which always shows the
individual I'd be In serious earnest.
that | shall 20 we'll armed. and be
likely 70 try the effect OF few Ieaaen
balls upon Whatever object, either OF
this world or the other, shall venture
to disturb my peaceful tranquilityr'
And II you do shoot ghost
laughed one of the most sISeptieaI OF
the ladies'. ''pray bring it off, and have
II stuffed for future exhibition"
BY my faith, I believe such things
are az staftn Irei1ined. in merry
mood
Well. matters being all settled for
the subsequent trying Of nv nerves
and the shaking Of my slkepticism. 1
took leave Of the company at a sea-
souabie hour. repaired To my hotel.
and slept soundIy till morning
The next day provided myself with
two brace of pistols. a coupI. of
sheath-knives. bottle OF brady and
basket OF provisions, and IN the aft
eru0on. accompanied by the gentle
man with whom / had laid the wager
and two others. rode out 10 the haunt
ed mansion TO make a recnnnofsslace
IN force When il was frst pointed
out 10 me. looming up grandly beauti-
fllI from amid a delightful orange
grove. believed my companions wers.
Iesting. not thinking il possible that 30
lovely place had been abandoned Tor
what appeared TO me 30 trifing a cause.
as superstitiaus spirit-deviItries. Kid
ing past il some little distance. we Ieft
the earriage. entered the grounds on
foot. and approached the building
saruFlssE1 n zTsTIsIs q trees Th.zse
WAS an air Of desertian and desolation
about the premises that I confess sent
n chill through NE at the very drst
Could there possibly be any truth In
the strange report concerning its un-
natural tenantsa Pshawl what nom
sense. The structure itself was Iar.se
rocmy and grand. with marble steps.
tuted columns. tessslased floors and
stone stairs. The doors were ouen.
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
eellars.t the doors Of which were locked
fact that struck ne as somewhat
singular When my friends got re..dy
70 depart told them they might leave
NE there-that. Heaven and the OtEcy
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