The Colfax chronicle., 1890-11-22

ter of a mile to walk, and after being
by the station-master, who
looked suspiciously at the cudgeL
started of at a brisk pace, and in less
than four minutes came to house
which stood among the trees, three rods
from the road. AS saw light in one
of the windows thought it could not
be the house l wanted, and walked to
the adjoining dwelling, few hundred
feet further on, which was perfectly
dark. There was nothing suspicious
looking about the place, and at once
went to the back door and insert
ed the key, which did not appear to MT
very we'll. While l was at work with
the key in one hand and the knob In
the other an upper window, immediate
ly over my head, was opened and
white figure appeared. ! stepped back
and drawing revolver, said: you
needn't play ghost with me. Come
down hcre or Pll fire."
The answer was scream, unearthly,
but not ghostly, sounding very much as
IL it came from the throat of mortal
woman. Tie scream was followed by
the opening of two other windows, and
two more white figures appeared. l
thought it was very good night for
ghosts; when it occurred to me that l
might have made a mistake, particu-
larly when one of the figures leveled a
gun over the window-sill and asked:
"What do you want?"
isn't this Mr.. Finkney's house?'
said.
mo, 1t is not" answered the holder
of the gun.
"Then have made mistake" l sug-
gested.
II think you have" said the third
figure, with male vo ice.
.'Can you direct me to Mr.. Pinkney's
house?" / asked.
sIt is there to your right" said the
one with the gun.
Il thought his house was vacant, and
Isaw light there as passed" was my
| answer.
"You will find plenty of things there
besides lights" replied the same voice
'Are there ghosts there?" l asked.
$50 there and you will find out" SAID
the female voice.
"Are you thinking of buying?" asked
the one with the gun.
"Yes," l said.
| "You are welcome to it, for / wouldn'
stay in the house an hour for it" wa'
the answer, and down went the win
dows.
started toward the haunted house
The light worried me, for / had surely
seen one. But what do ghosts wan
with lights? 1 asked myself, and con
cluded l must have made mistake
Before entering took the precaution Il
walk entirely around the house, bu
could see no light or any thing else sus
picious. The key fitted the lock and
stepped into the hall and listened. No
sound was heard or the sign OF ghos
| to be seen. / lighted candle ant
looked about. A feeling Of lonelines
came over me and / wished for com
pany. There seemed to be great man.
dark corners, and as turned my eye
up the stairway l appeared to be look
ing from the bottom of deep well.
ascended the stairs, trying to make n
noise, but there was not silent boar
to tread ON, and creak which startle'
me was given out at each step.
thought heard sound, as OF the light
ing of a match. Then an irresistibl
impulse seemed to be hurrylng me on
though the prospect of dark halls an
open doorways was not inviting. said
half aloud: Don't be fool" an
walked bravely into the first room
came to. closed the door quickly an
turned the key.
put the candle on table, and my
self in chair, and took view of th
room. 1t was furnished with a chail
table, bed, door and window.
walked to tie window and locke
: through the panes. The trees, stani
ing in their own deep shade, were fain
i. ly visible. and the nearer ones diml
lighted by the flame of my lone candle
AS glanced upward the light was see
, among the leaves high above my viii
dow. moved so as to intercept tn
light from my candle, but the uppt
, branches still shone. What was it?
raised the sash and looked out. TheI
, was window above my head, and con
ing from it could see faint light
| drew in my head to mediate, and di
, tinctly heard the window above m
open. / closed mine and went to til
door to listen Iheard muffied foo
fall on the stairs, and all tt
, stories / had heard of walkin
ghosts flashed through my min