Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-09-20

Tor OF n mlle 10 Walk, ana aIter DelnR
| directed by the station-master, who
looked suspiciously ut the cudgel, /
started off ut a brisk pace, and in less
| than four minutes came to house
which stood among tho trees, three rods
from tho road. AS / saw light in one
. of the windows thought it could not
| be the house / wanted, and walked TO
the adjoining dwelling, a 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 fit
very we'll. While 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 a
white figure appeared. I stepped back
and drawing revolver, said: You
needn't play ghost with me. Come
down hcre or I'll fire."
The answer was scream, unearthly,
but not ghostly, sounding very much as
If it came from the throat of mortal
woman. The scream was followed by
the opening of two other windows, and
two more white figures appeared. 1
thought it was very good night for
ghosts; when it occurred to me that /
might have made mistake, particu-
larly when one of the figures loveled a
gun over the window-sill and asked:
"What do you want?"
Isn't this Mr.. Pinkney's house?" 1
said.
mo, it is not" answered the holder
of the gun.
"Then 1 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?" l asked.
ut is there to your righ ht," said the
one with the gun.
II thought his house was vacant, and
answer.
You will find plenty of things there
besides lights" replied the same voice.
''Are there ghosts there?" l asked.
go 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 l wouldn't
stay in the house an hour for it," was
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 want
with lights? L asked myself, and con-
cluded must have made mistake.
Before entering took the precaution 10
walk entirely around the house, but
could see no light or any thing else sus-
picious. The key fitted the lock and l
stepped into the hall and listened. Not
sound was heard or the sign of ghost
to be seen. l lighted candle and
looked about. A feeling of loneliness
came over me and l wished for COM
pany. There seemed to be great many
dark corners, and as l turned my eyes
up the stairway L appeared to be look
ing from the bottom of deep well. l
assembled the stairs trying TO make no
noise, but there was not silent board
to tread on, and q creak which startled
me was given out at each step. l
thought heard u sound, as of the light
ing of u match. Then an irresistible
impulse seemed to be hurrylng me on,
though the prospect Of dark halls and
open doorways was not inviting. L said,
half aloud: Don't be FOOL" and
walked bravely into the first room 1
came to. closed the door quickly and
turned the key.
put the candle on table, and my
self in chair, and took view of the
room. 1t was furnished with chair
table, bed, door and window. l
walked to the window and looked
through the panes. The trees, stand
ing in their own deep shade, were faint
ly visible, and the nearer ones dimly
lighted by the flame of my lone candle
AS l glanced upward the light was seen
among the leaves high above my win
dow. moved so as to intercept the
light from my candle, but the upper
branches still shone. What was it? |
raised the sash and looked out. There
was window above my head, and COM
ing from it could see faint light
drew in my head to mediate, and dis
tinctly heard the window above me
open. closed mine and went to the
door to listen. l heard mutfied foot
fall on the stairs, and all the
stories l had heard of walking
ghosts flashed through my mind.
Step after step the sound came
neayer, and / strained my ears to catch
every noise. Suddenly the loud ringing
of bells was heard through the house,
and the sound of the steps ceased. All
was silent for moment, and began to
think was foolish in coming to the
house. While listening for outside
noises cold chill took possession of my
frame at the sound of voice in the
room, seemingly within a few feet of
me. 1t was deep muffied voice, and
in measured accents it said: BLOOD.
blood! blood" | admit / was unnerved
My revolver was in my hand, but there
was nothing to shoot at / was about
to open the door, when heard the steps
A.