The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-09-19

utes were consumed in finding 1t.
While was cropping about the floor,
and at the moment placed my hand on
the candle, the blast of horn sounded
in the room and apparently within a
few inches of my head. My hand
trembled little as l lighted the candle
and looked about me. There was no
apparent cause for the sound of the
horn. l lighted a second candle and
placed it on the table.
Again opened the door and stepped
into the hall, which appeared lighter
than l knew my candle could make it
looked about and saw there was
light on the floor above, and it was NOV
ing. stood motionless. The light APP
peared to be coming near the edge of the
stairway directly over where 1 was
Then saw what looked like shooting
star coming toward me, and a candle
fell at my feet. / picked it up. 1t was
like the ordinary candle. Where did it
come from? l was determined to know.
With hesitating l walked to the land
ing above. Nothing was to be seen.
went to the door of the room immedi.
ately above the one had left and list
ened. The door opened and l stood
face to face with Fred Doolittle.
"Ben!"
"Fred!"
'Is that you?" we both asked.
"What does this mean?" inquired.
That's what want to know" said
Fred. >Gvs3
When 1 told him about my coming to
the house he burst out laughing, and
said: at is too funny. saw the adver-
tisement, went to get the key and was
told the house was haunted. Like you
l didn't believe it, so out L came to in
vestigate the spirits"
And here we have been lodging
about, each taking the other for a
ghost" | said.
II think we are two rather substan-
tial ghosts" answered Fred, but"
He was interrupted by the ringing of
the bells and the cry of Blood" We
looked at each other.
"What's that?" asked
"Ghosts sure enough" answered Fred.
Come said, "let us investigate
these noises. If they are made by
spirits of the departed, l want to know
it."
Down the stairs we vent to the room
had left, and, as we entered, the cry
of "Blood!' sounded again in our ears.
There" said Fred, pointing to the
mouth of a speaking tube in the wall,
lis where the sound came from. Let
us go below and examine the other
end"
When we reached the lower hall we
plainly saw the front door close and
heard key turn in the lock. Fred
opened it again with his key and we
stepped out and listened. We heard
voices around the corner of the porch,
not twenty feet away, and l at once
recognized them as belonging to the
men who talked to me from the window
of the next house. The one who had
aimed the gun said: John, | don't be-
lieve he will buy the house."
81 think not" answered John; 81
guess old Pinkey will soon sell it to you
at your own price"
IF he DON'T" said the other, she won't
sell it to any one. l want the land to
square out my ten acres, and am going
to have it. Come. let us raise some
more racket, and then we'll go to bed"
They turned the corner and ran into
our arms. In second had John down,
while Fred had the other man by the
throat.
"Who are you?" asked Fred.
Don't choke me-" was the answer.
Let me up"
Not until you tell who you are, and
what you are doing here" said Fred, in a
determined voice.
Il live next door," hoarsely replied
the half-chol<ed man. MY name is
Peter Marks"
What are you doing here?" l asked
Trying to brighten you, SO you
would not buy the place." answered
John.
we thought the premises were rid of
ghosts, and concluded to let the men
go, which they were very glad to do.
The house was not haunted after that
night l bought it, and am writing
these lines within it's walls, with my
little family about me. Fred bought the
Marks property next door at a bargain,
for the owners were glad to get rid OF
it, and leave the neighborhood after
their failure at playing ghost. Harry
c. Fulton, in Chicago Daily News.