The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-05
IN A HAUNTED TOWER.
Joaquin MiIler's Experiences
i'm Newstead Abbey.

At the Newstead Abbey, writes Joaquin
Miller in the October number of Harper's
Magazine, there is q tower-at least it seems
like tower from within. although it does
not look it from without-which Lord Byron
and Others believed to be haunted by
ghoStly visitant in cOwl and sandals. The
poet claims to have seen this ghost short
time before his marriage to Miss Milba nike.
Washington Irving says his mind was
tinged with superstition, and his innate in-
trinity was perhaps increased by passing
much of his time in the lonely halls and
cloisters of the abbey, then in a ruinous and
melancholy state, and broodiEg over the
skulls and etfigieS of its former inmates"
More than once you find allusion to this ghost
in Lord Byr0n's poems.
| wanted 10 see if 1t was in the power of
any being to bridge over the awful darkness
that lies at the end of all earthly journeys,
and | determined to seize the first opportun-
lty to take up my abode, if possible. in Lord
Byron's apartments. The Princess of
Wales had recently left the abbey, and as
we sat at dinner Mrs. Webb told comic lit
tie incident connected with the Princess
visit TO the haunted tower. The three rooms
are reached by ascending narrow spiral
stairway that winds giddy course around a
gloomy column. These rooms have no
other egress or ingresS, and two maids
happened to be in them when the Princess
at the head of her party, parasol in hand,
ana laughing at the idea of meeting
ghast-unheralded, hastily entered. Pass
iog through the dressing-roOm, and then the
spacious bedroom furnished as far as pos
sble with the appointments used by the
poet, she passed on to tue pages room, and
here she poked her parasol into deep, dark,
curtained alcove. saying to the party press
ing after her, but want to see the ghost"
HOrrOrsl the point of her parasol struck a
solid body; there was Screech and a
scream, and the Princess fell back into the
arms of the coming King while pretty
rosy maid fell forward on her knees before
the Princess, piteously begging her pardon.
And, do you know, too want to see the
ghost OF Newstead."
said this with so much earnestness that
a man in black, with clerical air. put up his
But you would not like to sleep there in
the haunted room?' protested dozen
voices, curiously.
81 should like nothing better
Then you shall be moved in there at
once. 1t is the prettest and pleasantest
part of the abbey, else Lord Byron would
not have spent so many years in it. But
you must sleep there also; for promise you
that the only ghosts you will ever see at
Newstead will be those you see in your
Sleep" laughed the good-natured lady
When the ladies left us at our walnuts and
felt pretty certain that others there had an
equally deep interest with myself in the
ghost. The apartment was made ready for
my reception the next day, and | was to
spend that night in the very bed of Lord
Byron, waiting for the Black Friar of New
stead Abbey. The man with the clerical
look led me aside by the sleeve after dinner,
and hooking his glasses over his nose. talked
to me long and earnestly about ghosts. from
the Witch of Endor down to the modern ap-
al.
mi'iar with. He confessed himself to be a
firm believer in ghosts. and shaking my
hand cord ally, said he would await results
with GREATNESS interest.
A little before midnight | babe goodnight
to the few remaining i'll the drawing-room,
and followed the powdered fcotman, with
his two great candles, up and around and
ON and through the sounding halls of the old
abbey, and at last climbed the cOrkscrew
stairs and stood in the haunted rooms.
The bed, with its golden cOrOnetS ami gOr-
geous yellow curtains that are literally fall
ing to pieces from age, was ready to receive
me. The man placed the candle on the table
and withdrew. | was alone in the haunted
chamber at the hour OF midnight | sat
down at the table the very table used bv the
poet, noted the date, events of the day and
then this item, which quote from my note
book: "Slight headache; little nervous;
don't think | am afraid, but doubt if can
sleep; don't like this at all, but am in for,
it; shall see something; not the Black Friar
but Lord Byron"
After some other tri1ing notes and futile
attempt TO write a poem on the table used
by the inspired nObleman, | threw down
my pen and walked to the deep bay-window
at the west, overlooking the lake. 1t was
the loVeleSt night possible. The moon lay
on the water like silver. Soon | undressed
hastily, blew out one Of the candles, and set
the other by the bedside as | lay down. /
did not dare to blow it ont 1t takes great
deal of courage to admit this ugly truth.
The great, heavy, rich and tatterei curtains
OF yellow silk we're like finder, and it was
dangerous thing TO leave the candle burning,
particularly after dinner. But it did not
seem 10 me so dangerous just then as to blow
it out; so, | think, | fell asleep.
Suddenly | heard, or rather felt the door
slowly open. i looked straight ahead as
lay there but did not move. A figure en-
tered from the other door, but | could not
see 1t. | felt it stop at the table. Then |
felt it advancing upon me where | lay. |
distinctly heard the clink of two candle
sticks. Then felt, Or rather saw, that my
light was being slowly and certainly with
drawn. | cautiously turned my head, and
was just in time to see the patient footnau,
who had been waiting all tie time outside.
bearing away the lighted candle. Oh. how
ashamed wasi
When opened my eyes next morning, or
rather next noOD what vision OF beauty
swan on the lake, cattle on tie hills beyond,
and sunlight and love, peace and calm de-
light every where. l had never had more
perfectly refreshing sleep Ia all my life
The man with the glasses was waiting for
me, but had nothing TO say. | could only
assure him that had seen, heard, felt moth
ing whatever. Still | could not but think
that surely should a ID would receive some