The record-union., 1891-02-08
A HAUNTED HOUSE.
The Mysterious Brick Building
With the Tin Roof.

A Bewitched Bulldog, Six Very Badly
frightened People, and Their Hasty
Retreat They Did Not Believe In
Ghosts.
Written for the SUNDAY UNION by r. ]. d.
On the London Road, near Exeter, On
tario, Cam, stands to this day curious
old pile Of red brick, which is univer-
sally known in that section as ''the
haunted house." It stands within few
yards of the London road, so-called from
its having been, in the pioneer days of
Ontario, the only thorougfare to the only
market and postoffice which in those days
did duty for the entire western portion of
Western Ontario. The mails, during the
oxen era and before horses became of
any use in that then rough country of
forest, were carried by runners from Lon
don to backwoods towns, and the London
road was in constant use as the only
passable and direct route.
Just when the haunted house, was
erected, no one seems to know. Certain
have been regarded as a model structure
for those regions. 1t is now, and has
been for years, deserted and dismal in it's
loniinesS, standing amidst group of tall
poplars and willows, that add to the
wierdness of the desolate scene. The
house is crumbling slowly to pieces, and
the tin roof with which it is covered has
long since passed its day of shining SPLEEN
dor, while its rusty surface is sunken and
hollow in many places. Here and there
a loose fragment of tin flaps in the wind
and rattles mournfully against the walls.
Tradition hath it that wealthy aristo-
GRAFT and his handsome young wife had
come from England, and purchased a
farm, building upon it the edifice re-
ferred to, and furnishing the house hand
somely. But the young wife proved false
to her aristocratic husband, and he, dis
covering his wife and lover together one
night, split the head of the lover in twain
with an ak which he held in his hand,
and then in burst Of uncomfortable
rage,
BEHEADED HIS WIFE
With the same instrument. He then
hanged himself to a poplar tree at the
hied himself hence beyond the reach of
"the strong arm of the law"
But ever after the place bore an I'M
canny reputation. People tried to live
there and-couldn't; went to reside there
and didn't, and extraordinary tales of
supernatural burden relating to the spot
formed the theme of many hair-raising
confab in the adjoining awe-striclken fam
lily circles.
In the fall of 1880, party Of young men
sat in grocery store in the neighboring
village. They sat on the boxes and
counters discussing various topics, inter
spersed with occasional bites of crackers
and cheese, with an utter contempt alike
of grammar and of the anxious looks of
the grocer towards his diminishing stores.
The conversation finally turned upon the
subject of ghosts, and soon the thread
bare but ever interesting topic of ''the
haunted house, was being duly con-
sidered.
Finally, one young man, the pride of
the neighborhood, named George McCaw,
startled the company by announcing that
he didn't take any stock in this haunted
house bosh, and he would dare any of
them to spend night in the old red
house. No one spoke for some time
They were all as thoroughly startled at
such a proposition as though he had pro-
posed standing on his head on the meet
in'-houseo spire. AT last one reckless
youth, the proud owner of ferocious
bull dog, accepted the challenge, provided
his beloved canine might accompany
them. Another and another followed,
and soon the whole company, with the
exception of three, who didn't believe in
''temptin' Providence" in that way, vol
unteered to go. 1t was arranged that
they go on the following night.
WATCHING FOR A GHOST.
Promptly at s O'clock the young men,
accompanied by the aforesaid bulldog,
who, his master guaranteed, would catch
anything there was to catch, entered the
gate of the haunted house. They were
provided with several lanterns, horse
pistol, and-well, the bull dog. What
more could they want? The shaky old
door stood slightly ajar, and with great
show Of assurance, McCaw, the leader,
pushed it open and entered. The place
was certainly, chilly, damp, musty and full
of echoes and cobwebs. Huddled together
like flock of sheep, the boys passed from
room to room, some of the dreary apart
ments having pieces of old furniture in
them, with tattered velvet coverings, rel
les of past splendor. When all the lower
t fHems sta nad been the surybsSed add
the company heayed simultaneous
sigh Of relief while the dog squatted
down, yawned, gazed reproachfully at his
master, as though he thought it was a
great rat hunt gotten up for his benefit,
and that he had been Intentionally fooled.
But their intrepid leader did not allow
Ilicli IcSI lung. ne leu the way upstairs,
the lanterns casting great shadows ON the
walls, and the dusty old stairs creaked
dolefully beneath the unaccustomed
weight. The dog took heart again.
pricked up his ears and pushed hopefully
forward. They reconnoitered Several
rooms above, which looked much the
same as those below, and the whole party
beginning to feel decidedly nervous. they
decided to find large room and await
DEVELOPMENTS therein Thew TALKED in
low, husky tones, glancing fearfully
around at every southland there We're
many sounds. It is astonishing how a
lonely, empty house at night will dampen
ones spirits.
Opening a door near the head of the
stairway, good-sized room was dis
closed. 1t was in half-furnished state.
and contained a mantel and Fireplace
something unusual for that country. as
they are seldom built upstairs. This
fact, with the curious appearance of the
room, affected the boys markedly, and
one nudged the leader and said:
LET'S GIT OUT o. THIs!'
The others tried to rally him on beinp
scared, but somehow it was hard work to
do so in that ghostly old room. They ali
took up positions near each other: some
leaned on the mantel-piece, others on the
window-sil. The shutters and blinds
were closed. The dog settled himself
upon the floor at his masters feet with an
expression of discomfort and utter disgust
on his benign features. Suddenly, as the
boys talked in low whispers,
THE DOOR SLAMMED VIOLENTLY
Shut. The dog growled and looked at
the door; the boys stood as though par
the matter in whispers, all concurrino
that it was not caused nv tho wind &c