Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-05-28
A GHOST STORY.

OF friends and neighbors who, one Christ
mas evening. were seated round her hos
pitable hearth.
HAh! you think so? Pardon me If [
cannot agree with you," said Mr.. Hen
mixer, well known Dublin barrister, of
burly frame and jovial countenance,
famed for his wit and flow of anecdote.
The ladies of the party uttered excla-
nations in various keys, while the men
looked attentive and interested. All
that Mr.. Henniker pleased to say was
wont to command attention, in Dublin
mt least
$50 you think all ghost stories may be
explained? What would Mrs. March
mont say to our old woman in the black
bonnet, Angela?" And the barrister
turned to his quiet little wife, who rare
opened her lips. Shewas eager enough
aow
Il wish l could quite forget that old
woman, John, dear" she said with a
shiver
won't you tell us, dear Mrs. Hen
mixer? Please-please dol" cried the
/ lies in chorus.
NAY, John must tell that tale" said
sAe wife, shrinking into herself as it were.
NJ one knew how it happened that the
emvarsation had turned upon mesmer-
Ism spiritualism and other themes
2T+'ch1ng upon the supernatural Per
haps the season, suggesting old fashioned
tales, had something to do with it; or
a HEvhI
with the pattering of hail and rattle of
cab wheels, led the mind to brood over
uncanny legends. Anyhow, all the com
pany spoke Of ghosts; some to mock,
others to Speculate; and here was the
witty lawyer prepared to tell a grave
tale of his own experience.
His jovial face grew stern. Like the
Ancient Mariner, he addressed himself
to one in company, but all were silent
and attentive.
"You say all ghost stories may be ex-
planned, Mrs. Marchmont So would /
have said a year ago; but since we last
met at your hospitable freside my wife
and | have gone through very astonish-
ing experience. We can a tale unfold.
No man was better inclined to laugh at
ghost stories than l.
"Well, to begin my true tale. We
wished for complete change of scene
last February, and Angela thought she
would like to reside in the same county
as her sisters and cousins and aunts"-
''Dorsetshire, | believe, Mrs Henni-
ker," interrupted the lady of the house.
Angela nodded.
81 intended to take a house for my
family, leave them comfortably settled
in it, and run backward and forward be-
tween Dorsetshire and Dublin Well, it
SO happened that did leave them for a
single day during the three months of
my tenancy of the Hall. | had seen a
wonderful advertisement of spacious
dwelling house, with offices, gardens,
pleasure grounds-to be had for fifty
pounds per annum. went to the agent
to make inquiries.
is this fourishing advertisement
correctT asked l.
Perfectly
What so many advantages are to
be had for fifty pounds Year,
Most certainly. | advise you to go
and see for yourself.
Il took the agents advice, and Angela
was enchanted with the description |
was able to give her on my return A
charming little park, beautifully planted
with rare shrubs and trees-a bowery,
secluded spot, SO shut in by noble elns
as to seem remote from the world. The
house-such a mansion as in Ireland
would be called manor house or castle
large, lofty rooms, thoroughly furnished,
every modern Improvement. My wife,
as surprised as myself that place Of the
kind should be going for mere song,
begged me to see the agent again, and
close with him. 1t was done at once |
would have taken the hall for year,
but Mr. Harold advised me not to do
SO. Take it by the quarter, or at least
by the half year, he recommended
Il replied that it appeared such de-
sirable bargain that wished to take it
by the year His answer to this was a
reiteration of his first advice can't
tell you how he influenced me, for he
really said no more than | tell you: but
| yielded to his evident wish without
knowing why did SO, and closed with
him for six months, not a year.
"Glamor, Mr.. Hennikerr'
1T would seem so, Mrs. Marchmont
We went to the hall, and Angela was de-
lighted with it. The snowdrops lay in
snowy masses about the grounds-the
garden gave promise of beauty as the
season advanced. How the children ran
over the house! how charmed we were
with every nook and corner of it! Our
own bedroom was a comfortable, large
room, opening into a very roomy dress
ing room, in which my wife placed two
cribs for our youngest boys, Hal and
Jack"
Don't forget to say that our bed
chamber opened from sitting ROOM >
interrupted Mrs. Henniker.
We'll, for three weeks we all slept the
sleep of the just in our really splendid
suite of apartments. Not a grumble
ton with our rare bargain. was on the
point of returning to dear, dirty Dublin
and the -Four Courts, when
''When3 We are all attention, Mr.
Henniker."
Angela and were sitting in the draw.
ing room under the bed chamber have
described, when a loud cry startled us
Mother, mother, motherr
1.-The little boys were in bed in the
dressing room. Angela dropped her tea
cup and dashed out of the room, forget
ting that there was no light in the rooms
above US.
u caught up candle and followed hel
quickly. We found Tie children sobbins
wildly. Jacks arms were almost strang