The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-11-03
thing if you don't go to Wales"


Scarcely however, had proceeds
l two hundred yards, when, through
break in the hedge-I beheld, standin,
! some distance back, a large, square, darl
: ancient looking house. Ny first though
was to make for it; but there was n,
path, and it evidentlywas inhabited.
Therefore l went on, and within an
other two hundred yards, to my joy,
came upon quaint, picturesque inn
Entering, found could have a bed
did I wish; SO, ordering dinner, went
into the general room. There were
about half dozen people present, drink
ing and smoking, and chatting socially
They were evidently neighbors of SUI
perior class. and met there for society.
After one glance at me, they took nc
further notice until my dinner was fin
ished, when one, evidently well to dc
country gentleman, remarked, as the
soft fingers of the rain began more loud
ly to beat upon the small window panes,
You are sheltered in time, sir. l per-
celve you are. a stranger in Llynrhyll.
| hope you have not to go much further
this EVENING""
On learning that had lost my way.
and intended possibly remaining at the
inn for the night, he courteously asked
me to draw nearer and join them. l did
not hesitate to accept so kind an invita>
ton, and soon was taking my part in the
conversation as if we had been long &C.
quainted.
1t was a brief silence, when the beating
rain and moaning wind were very APP
parent, that the talk started upon spir-
its, ghosts, and the supernatural.
1 Now no subject to me is so irritating
1t always, as it were, rubs my back the
wrong way.
i l have heard it remarked that when
the incredulOus feel thus, it is because
there is within them latent belief of
which they are ignorant. l certainly
was ignorant, if it were so in my case,
and remarked, Il do not think that the
human intellect can sink to a lower
depth than belief in ghosts y
You, then, sir, are not believer?''
said one.
''I?'' l laughed. "Most surely not! I
am far too practical"
Have you, may / ASK inquired the
guest who had first addressed me, sever
tested an authentic ghost?"
mo, sir; but nothing would give me
greater pleasure than to do sou
Indeed" he proceeded; and / rer>
ceiyed all were regarding me with a
semi-comical, semi>serious interest
What do you say to IL haunted house?
Have you ever tested that?'
"Never; though it has been an earnest
desire Of mine to do so; but have not
yet come across an authentic haunted
house to test"
''In that case" he rejoined, 81 can
oblige you; and if you will lay the
ghost by sleeping a night in the house.
l shall be eternally indebted, for its bad
name makes it a great pecuniary loss to
me-"
eWhere is it?s i asked, really with
eagerness, for made no boastful asser>
ton.
/ He begansto describe it, when recog-
nized the house | had seen two hundred
yards away. He said it had stood as he
might call it empty for nearly eighty
years or more. Fifty years previously,
his father, pooh pooling ghosts, had
bought it cheap, giving it a different
name, had done it up and let it, but the
| people removed before the week.
He had tried it himself, and had been
so alarmed by the sounds, and the feel
ing of horror upon him, that Drawing
ridicule, he had left before dawn
"You do not credit it, sir?'' he said
noticing the smile on my lips; ''or, rath-
er, you attribute it to fear"
And rats, possibly" remarked. 81
confess If you have no objection, should
much like to put your haunted house to
the test.''
You wouldy' CALCULATED several.
81 most certainly should"
"Then, sir, you have my hearty con-
SENT" cried the master, And shall be
grateful indeed if you can lay their per-
turbed spirits.''
IF they exist" smiled I. "But is
there any legend or story upon which
these ghosts are founded?"
Eyes; in few words l can tell you.-
In the time of George III, the place was
inhabited by Mr.. Royston, who lived
secluded life. In fact, he was miser,
and it was. rumored had boarded large
sum, to which he was ever adding.
IAN old woman from the village used
| to 90 ip occasionally, but the only per-
son who lived with him was man SER
want; a heavy-looking fellow, whom
Royston used to dress in his deceased
fathers old suits, to save buying livery.
''Well, one morni3g the old woman
could not get into the house. She
knocked-knocked, but the man never
opened to her. Finally, she returned to
the village, raised the alarm, an entrance
was effected, and.
well, sir?" as he paused.
Cyan Royston was found hanging
dead in his own bedroom 1t was first
believed suicide, but when search was
made for the man and he was not found,
it was believed murder, and that he had
gone off with the miser's money. for
none could be discovered. Since then
the place is said to be haunted. That is,
at night Evan Royston walks in his
own bad chamber; have never heard of
his being seen at any other part"
What about the basement passage?N
smiled q guest.
True; there Is rumor that he walks
there. Some say in unrest, because oil
his stolen treasure, others, to watch oyer
it."
Have you ever sought after this
treasurer" queried I.
A general laugh followed my question
while the owner of the house replied
"Never And my dear sir, if You sue
coed in laying the ghost, you may have
all the treasure YOU discover In doing
So"
sAgreed!' laughed in turn.
do you really mean to sleep there