The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-09-19
THE TWO GHOSTS.
How Fred Got Home by Means
of Two ASPIRATIONS.

OF TWO ASPIRATIONS.
In the fall of 1866 1 was living in
Philadelphia, occupying bachelors
quarters; but congratulating myself
upon the fact that my boarding house
existence would soon be changed into
living in a home. The partner of my
joys, who vas to occupy that home with
me, was young lady born in the city
of Penn, whom it is not necessary to
describe, as she is now looking over my
shoulder at the lines am writing.
We were to be married the day after
Christmas, and the wedding was to be
a double one, for my old friend, Fred
Doolittle, was to marry the sister of my
Ella.
Where was the home to be located?
This was the question was trying to
answer at the time of which am writ
ing. | did not want to rent. / wanted
the home to be our home by title as
well as by occupancy. l had few
thousands of dollars, but not enough to
buy in the city, in good neighborhood
We-that is Ella and had talked the
matter over, and concluded we could be
very happy in q modest home with a
couple of acres of ground attached, and
not more than an hours ride by cars
from the city. Every day for several
weeks looked for such place. | read
the closely-printed columns of the
Ledger under the head of Real Estate
for Sale" but saw nothing l thought
would suit US, until one Friday | read
glowing description of the very place
we wanted-only the house was larger
than necessary-and | was greatly sur
prised at its cheapness. The advertise
ment referred for further particulars to
Mr.. Smalls, on Walnut street, near
Fourth.
/ at once went to Mr.. Smalls' office
and learned he had gone out few min
utes before | called. / made my bust
ness known to tall clerk in charge.
who seemed to smile when | mentioned
the house, and said: 81 am very sorry,
but Mr.. Smalls has gone out to show a
house to customer, and the keys to
the house yon want to see are in the
bunch with the ones he has taken"
u want to see the house to-day, if
possible" | answered. "A train will
start in an hour and | would like to go
oy it,
eff you are very anxious" replied
the clerk, with very apparent grin,
II think you can get the back door key
from the owner, who lives out Arch
street, almost on your way to the sta
tion."
l got the owners name and address,
and entering the first passing car rode
out to Twentieth street, and then
walked three squares to Arch, and ring
ing the bell at the proper number, was
shown into a handsomely furnished
drawing-room, where the owner of the
house soon entered. When stated my
business, he smiled as the clerk had
done, and asked: do you think you
would like the house?"
''If it is according to the description,
j think will, answered.
''Have You heard any thing about it?"
Nothing but what the paper says"
''Then l may as we'll be frank with
you," he said land tell you the house
has the name of being haunted"
l didn't like the idea of living in a
haunted house, for l wanted to enjoy
my wifes society without ghostly in
reference. But was not believer in
spirits and accounted for all the So
called manifestations on the theory of
simple mental action on the part of the
person affected. Besides, thinking it
would be sport to show the owner how
foolish and unfounded was the belief
that the house was haunted, at once
answered: II don't believe it."
''All right" said the gentleman,
Here are the keys. You may go and
sleep night or two in the house if you
wish. There are two chambers pro-
vided with beds, one on the second and
the other on the third floor. Take your
choice"
1 didn't hesitate, and took the KEYS.
Why should l fear ghosts? There we're
no such things, and felt was a match
for any one who might attempt to play
ghost. In fact, l rather prided myself
on my physical development and con-
s;3ered | was as brave as the ordinary
man.
As some preparation was necessary,
/ abandoned the idea of taking the next
train, and concluded to wait until six
O'Clock in tho evening When that
hour came ! was on the cars, with some
matches, candles, and two revolvers in
my pockets, ard heavy cudgel in my
hand. If there was any one about the
house anxious to play ghost proposed
to give him the opportunity of being
one in earnest. l had calculated on be-
ing at the haunted house at seven
o'clock, but on account Of a delay,
caused by derailed freight train, it
wa" two hours past that time when l
reached the station. / had but quar-