Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-24
A GHOST PARTY
HOW SOME YOUNG PEOPLE RAISED
s45 FOR A BREAD FUND.
A Real Ghost, Blue Lights, Crossbones and
Gbastiy Tales, and How They Are
Managed with Grand Eject.

inherent IIOUl tOtliuoflf thS'~'
for II walked for the benefit Of sweet
charity, and, only incidentally. for the
entertainment Of the select set at Lenox-
edo.
There was money to be raised for
bread fund and one OF the ladies OF the
fashionable little village suggested that
"a ghost-roorn evening might be
profitable thing. adding that she had at
tended one in New Orleans. which was
was very enjoyable.
on the Ghost-Room evening there were
assembled IN one Of the fashionable draw
ing-rooms in Lenoxedo more than thirty
OF the gay young people of the place,
with n sprinkllng OF chaperons. for 1t
was known that a ghost would appear
and that all would have the benefit Of
not only seeing 1t. but also OF conyersing
with 1t.
READY FOR THE GHOST
when the hands OF. the clock were
pointing exactly TO the hour OF ?, the
hostess, who was acting as mistress OF
ceremonies, arose and said that she had
an important duty TO perform. 1t was the
announcing OF the fact that real I'VE
ghost had taken up It's quarters In an
attic stairway closet in the furthest cor
ner OF the upper east wing Of her house,
just under the cupola, and that the ghost
had kindly consented TO relate few
stories that evening 20 all who cared to
seek him out I'm his retreat.
She added that each visitor to the Ghost
Room necessarily would need to be con-
Quoted there, but attended by only soil
tary guide. and that, as ghosts are
known to be particular about some things,
there must be the strictest attention paid
TO instructions laid down by the guide.
All were anxious to visit the Ghost
Room at once, even the chaperons dis
played much curiosity. excusing them
selves by saying that. never having con-
versed with n real attic ghost, they could
not help being a little curious to do so.
Each one OF the party then volunteered
TO start upon the journey, one at time,
with a guide. 1t was agreed that during
the trips the remainder Of the company
were 10 tell ghost stories in the drawing
room and sing weird, wild chants in order
to get in the proper state Of feeling ne
cessary for a sympathetic conversation
! with a ghost.
What happened on some OF the ghost
( journeys has since leaked out" so 1t Is
no harm TO tell Ii here, and some OF the
; items will benefit those who may wish to
/ give a similar party.
! To start with. the party was sub
scrlption affair; each pays 81 for the eve
ning's entertainment.
| The first to leave on the ghost journey
/ was a pretty young woman-a brunette
/ with big black eyes, and hair so lustrous
! dark, that her friends laughingly said il
would brighten the ghost. IL he had beer
accustomed only to the colorless hCes oil
ghostand.
/ Bidding "a laughing goodbye to hei
! frerds in the drawing-room. she wa.
/ conducted beyond the heavy portiere'
| out into the staircase hall, where she was
/ placed in the hanos of n guide-a tall
/ sleaGer figure draped in white, who spoke
B IN whispers and whose footsteps were SC
soft that they could not be heard, ever
upon the polished floors.
THE GHoSTLY JOURNEY.
"rhe first thing you must do II you wish
! 10 see the ghost" said the guide, lis e
drape your head with this white veil, fol
the ghost does not wish to have you gaz'
upon him critically; were you to appear
before him uncovered. he might refuse e
core &C wn from the cupola, where he !.
/ now spending his days and nights"
: The young lady had no objections TO thu
veil! Tut when she saw herself draped IL
II from head TO foot, so that not even
/ her bands were visible nor the color o
/ her gown, she laughed so heartily tina
people in the drlwing-room who Were
awaiting their return, came TO the conclu
/ sion that the ghost must be a very pleas
ant fellow to meet.
/ NOW, take this peacock feather in you
hand, and when you are in the room wav'
! 4. at the ghost as a sign that you arr
ready fer him TO begin. But remembe
tina. you must speak not word excep
] when addressed"
The guide then conducted his charg
along the hall, up the staircase, along an
other hall. and up another staircase
.cftrtng weirdly the while and waving II
each land great punches Of the mas
feathers.
Along another hallway into the cas-
wing, then through q guest-chamber
dimly lighted by gas which shone luridl!
through red globes, through an empty
room. and a passage-way, and finally L
the door of the attic-closet went the guild
and the young lady, who now plainly be
gan to be little nervous. At the doc
they paused. Are you composed an
rtoGy?" asked the guide. Are you pre-
pared to meet ghost?"
She was a bold, spirited girl, but sh
faltered. Tell me-" she whispered, grasp
ing the arm of her guide. ARE you o
are you not my brother, Charlie? Mrs.
A. told me this morning that Charli
would be the guide to the ghcst-room
ari that is the reason why was so boz
as to start first; but have been observing
you closely for the last few steps, and
think you are too tall 10 be Charlie. an
your eyebrows are too black-I can sc
them through your veil. And-and-'
with n little shriek-'I am beginning 4
get frightened. Oh! Oh! / wish had no
/ con r'
"Dost wish to return7" asked the guido
in heavy. muffled tones. which somehow
or other seemed TO reassure his charge an
restore her feeting cpirits.
mo. DON'T" said she, "for l know
now that you are Charlie. and OF cours'
you are not going TO brighten me and senC
me back 10 be laughed at"
Every WE'LL Thou hast chosen" sail
the guide solemnly. Enter the room anC
II, when thou returnest TO thy merr,
friends below, thou tellest one word o
what happened here, thou shalt be cross
ed in love and dire misfortune shall COM
70 thee ere the curfew tolleth the knel
OF the dying year. And one word more
esldTh YOU, tfhI lue ehOSl Nlthih 10
quiet, harmless creature. given only 4
the telling Of quaint tales and true for
tunes. But should anything happen u
disturb him, such as the ringing of bells
he will become violent. And then-wai
not but fee down TO the drawing-roon
below as for your life.'
Thus speaking the guide opened IN
door Of the attic closet and pushed tn
young woman in. closing the door be
hind her. What she saw there took ava.
her breath. All over the room there wa
shed a pale-blue light, while from eacl
step OF the stair leading up to the cupol
there hung pumpkins followed out wit
candles inside showing unimaginabl
faces. On the stairs were many mask
and cross-bones, as though the ghost ha
dropped his properties there In his de
scent.
THE GHOSTS STORY.
"But where Is the ghost?'' thought she
Suddenly she remembered that she mus
wave the peacock feather to summon
forth. So she moved it slowly to and fro
and instantly black curtain, not befor
recognized as a curtain, was drawn asid
and revealed a figure, life-size and al
seemingly OF white null, with light
showing behind Il. so that you could loo
through II as through a piece Of gauze
Back OF the figure stood a screen, an
from II there began 20 issue forth hollo'
sounds and phantom groans.
Art marriedr' queried the ghost In
voice so hollow that Il echoed throug
the little chamber and seemed TO pas
through the walls beyond.
MOO" gasped the victim creepin
44~.l ~.