The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-08-24
THE HAUNTED HOUSE.
A Story of Two Ghosts and How They
Were Laid.
From the Chicago News.

ting myself upon the fact that my boarding.
house existence would soon be changed into liv-
ing in home. The partner of my joys. who
was 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 l am writing.
We were to be married the day after Christ
mas, and the wedding was to be double one,
for my old friend, Fred Doolttle, 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 l am writing. did not want to rent.
wanted the home to be our home by title as
well as by occupancy. had few thousands of
dollars, but not enough to buy in the city in
good neighborhood. We-that is, Ella and l.
had talked the matter over and concluded we
could be very happy in a modest home with
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.
L read the closely printed columns of the Ledger
under the head of Real Estate for Sale" but
saw nothing | thought would suit us, until one
place we wanted-only the house was larger
than necessary-and was greatly surprised at
further particulars to Mr.. Smalls, on Walnut
street, near Fourth.
learned he had gone out few minutes before
called. | made my business known to tall
clerk in charge, who seemed to smile when 1
sorry, but Mr.. Smas has gone out to show a
house to a customer, and the keys to the house
you want to see are in the bunch with the ones
II want to see the house to-day if possible,"I
ansWered ,ifi "A train raj Will start in an hour ard
IF you are very anxious" replied the clerk,
with very apparent grin, II think you can get
the backdoor key from the owner, who lives
tion."
terlng the first passing car, rode out to Twentieth
street, and then walked three squares to Arch,
ah and ringing @ the bell at the proper number, was
room, where the owner of the house soon en-
tered. 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, think
WILL answered.
Have you heard anything about it? p,
Nothing but what the paper says"
linen Zen may may as well be frank with you," he
said, "and tell you the house has the name of
being haunted.'
L didn't like the idea of living in haunted
without ghostly interference. But was not a be-
lever in spirits, and accounted for all the So
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 be-
lief that the house was haunted 1 at once an
swered: 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
provided W with be beds, one on on the second and the
[ didn't hesitate, and took the keys. Why
should | fear ghosts? There were no such
might attempt to play ghost. In fact, / rather
prided myself on my physical developments and
was considered as brave as the ordinary man.
Assome preparation was necessary abandoned
the idea of taking the next train and concluded
to wait until o'clock in the evening. When
that hour came l was in the cars, with some
matches, candles, and two revolvers in my pock-
cts and heavy cudgel in my hand. If there
ghost proposed giving him the opportunity of
being one in earnest. had calculated on being
of delay, caused by derailed freight train, it
was two hours past that time when l reached the
station: had buta quarter Of mile to walk,
and. after being directed by the station master
who loo Sed suspiciously at the cudgel, | started
off at Il 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
dwelling, a few hundred feet further on which
was perfectly dark. There was nothing sus-
piclous looking about the place, and at once
went 10 tne back door and inserted the key.
which did not appear to fit very we'll While
was at work with the key in one hand and the
over my head, was opened and white figure ap-
peared; stepped back, and drawing revolver
down here or | will fire."
The, answer was scream, unearthly, but not
ghostly. sounding very much il it came from
the throat of a mortal woman. The scream was
followed by the opening of two other windows,
and two more white figures appeared. thought
it was a very good night for ghosts; when it oc-
Cured to me that l might have made a mistake,
particularly when one of the figures leyeled a
gun over the window-sill and asked, What do
you want?n
Isn't this Mr.. Pinkney's house ?" said.
mo, 1t is not,' answered the holder of the
gun"
"Then have made mistake" suggested
II think you have, said the third figure with
male voice.
Can you direct me to Mr.. Pinkney's house ?"I
asked.
at is there to your right" said the one with the
II thought his house was vacant, and saw a
light there as passed." was my answer.
:, You will hnd plenty of things there besides
lights" replied the same voice
Are there ghosts there ?n asked
90 there and you will find out" said the fe-
Are you thinking of buying?m ?m asked the one
with the gun:
YES said.
You are welcome to it, for wouldn't STAY in
the house an hour for it," was the answer and |
down went the windows.
started toward the haunted house. The lioht |
worried me- for had surely seen one. But what
do ghosts want with lights? asked myself and |
concluded must have made n mistake Refora
around the house, but could see no light, or any-
thing else suspicious The key fitted the lock and |
stepped into the hall and listened. Not sound |
was heard or the sign of a ghost to be SEEN i |
lighted candle and looked about. A feeling of |
Loneliness came over me, and wished for COM |
pany. There seemed to be a great many dark |
corners; ana as turned my eyes up the stairway |
| appeared to be looking from the bottom of a |
deep well. ascended the stairs, trying to make |
noise, but there was nota silent board to tread
on, and ereak which startled me was given out |
lighting of match. Then an irresistible impulse |
seemed to be hurryng me on, though the pros
pect of dark halls and open doorways was not in |
Drink Tannhauser beer. H. Benzler.