Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-03-23
A Ghostly Visitation.

quired if could have Accommodations
for the night, which was then near.
Being answered in affirmative, / dis
mounted from my horse, gave the
reins to a good-natured Irishman, and
entered the house with the motherly-
looking matron.
Supper was preparing, and the
men began to arrive from the days
labor in the fields.
NV hostess answered the inquir-
ing look of her husband, as he glanc-
ed first at me and then at her, upon
his arrival, for it was with the lady
that l had bargained for my nights
lodging, by telling him that was a
traveller who wished to stop all
night.
"But we have no accommodations;
all our extra beds will be occupied
by the hands whom l have employed
to help me do my harvesting" said
mine host.
"You forgot the bed in the little
room up stairs in the northeast cor
ner of the house"
A paleness came over the farmers
face as the lady said this, but he tried
to appear calm, and added:
"Yes, l had forgotten that-or
rather-ah, it had slipped my men,
ory."
He was evidently much embarras-
sed, and speedily made someremarks
about the weather; then the conver-
sation turned upon other matters,
and doubt not that the little north
east room" had quite slipped his
memory again ere his wife called him
to supper, which having been par
taken of, accompanied Mike to the
barn for the purpose of seeing that
my horse was well-fed and carefully
attended to.
| was anxious to learn something
further in regard to the little room,
and for this purpose undertook to
draw Mike into conversation.
Mr. Brown employs quite num-
Der of men, | see; is his farm very
extensivep"
"Sure, there's not better farm in
the country: and as to buildings,
why there's not house within ten
miles can stand side o boss Browns;
an if it weren't for that northeast
chamber, ] should say there was
nothing wanting to make the old
gent as comfortable as made be-"
"And what is there particularly
uncomfortable about that roomp"
That's sacret."
"You need not fear that l am not
worthy of your confidence" said l,
at the same time slipping quarter
into his hand"
The silver bit acted like magic,
and his tongue was Immediately
loosed. Learned that the room was
haunted. The ghost was described
as woman of medium height,
enveloped in white robe, and Of
terror-stricken visage.
1t appeared that the ghost had
first been seen by one who, like my
self, had craved the hospitality Of
the good farmer. 1t had since been
seen by several, but never by any Of
the family; for none acquainted with
the secret could be persuaded to sleep
there, and the room was offered to
none but strangers.
| | did not feel particularly desirous
of sleeping in a haunted room, l
confess, but resolved that my nat
ural timidity should not get the con-
troll of me, and a morbid curiosity
to see veritable, live ghost, took
away part of my fear. was much
fatigued and consequently retired
early not to sleep, however. The
ghost story not Macbeth had
murdered sleep" for that night.
1t had got to be near twelve o'clock.
The ghost had not made its appear
ance, and l was upon the point of
giving up all thoughts of seeing the
phantom, when the door noiselessly
opened, and figured appeared be-
fore me. 1t was robed in white,
even to the head, which was en-
cased in cotton night-cap.
The figure slowly approached
the bed. ] was full of terror. A
cold sweat stood in large drops upon
my forehead. trembled fearfully.
| could hear the beating of my heart.
Nearer came the sepulchral figure,
closer and closer it approached. l
tried to speak, to call for help; all
efforts were unavailing My tongue
seemed to haye become stiff. tried
to move hand, foot, but in this
was equally unsuccessful.
Reaching the bed The fionre stood