The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-07-10

nue. and move into new fiat building
on West Monroe street. His family
consists of his wife and three children.
His wife's sister, an unmarried lady,
also resides with them.
ut was the last place in the world"
said Mr.. Hartwell. in conversation with
the writer, where one would expect
to encounter spooSs or ghosts. In the
first place the building was brand
new, and according to tradition no re-
spectacle spook ever attaches himself
to a place that has not record of
at least twenty years behind it. We
had the middle fat. Both under us and
above us the apartments were Occu-
ped by respectable people.
The only possible fault to be found
was that overhead a young gentleman
habitually played the Boulanger
March at all hours, sometimes far into
the night He appeared to be pleased
with the tune and he was what is
known in the musical world as key
thumper. Otherwise all our neighbors
were entirely unobjectionable.
The very first day we moved in,
however, the fun-if you like to call it
that. though it wasn't-began.
"Trouble commenced in the dining
room at nine o'clock that evening 1t
was very late, owing to moving. before
we sat down to supper. l had been
hauling around furniture and putting
down carpets all day long and was as
hungry as hawk; SO were we all. We
had not yet completed arrangements
with the gas company and the room was
but dimly lighted by one lamp. The
whole place had chilly, uncomfortable
air about it. l was just about to help
the children when from the wall, APP
parently Just over my head, there is
sued forth the most horrible, uncanny
sound which ever assailed mortal ears.
1t was like the wall of some lost spirit,
rising higher and higher. until from a
degree of ear-spitting intensity it died
away to an unearthly whisper.
What on earths that?' exclaimed
my wife, as her knife and fork fell rat
ting on her plate from her nerveless
fingers. Little Eide broke out howl
ing, and Jack jumped up as if struck
by lightning and rushed into a dark
closet. The internal noise even woke
the baby in the cradle, who howled dis
mally. My wifes sister turned pale as
a sheet.
Il must confess | was somewhat rat
tied myself. However, with a good
deal of coaxing and pooh-poohing,
got them all back to the table, and we
finished the meal. l can't say we en-
joyrd it. We were not again dis
turbed that night, and by the morning
the 'spook noise, as we dubbed it, had
become rather the subject of Jest than
otherwise.
Il was kept late down town that
evening. On my return to the fiat
found Mrs. Hartwell crying and the
children terror-stricken. They had
had supper at six, and at that meal had
been again disturbed by the ghostly
sounds. Little Edie had been so badly
friChtcd that she had been nearly
thrown into commissions. My wife
threw her arms around my neck and
sobbed bitterly.
"'Oh, John, for goodness sake take
me out of this horrible place
Pooh, pooh, Eny dear said, trying
to soothe her. Look at the cost and
trouble of moving. Besides, I've taken
the fiat for year -
Again that unearthly sound issued
from the dining-room. | was pretty
well frightened myself this time, but
my rage as looked upon the shrinking