Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-01-13
miscellaneous.
THORPE MANOR.


house for you-Jabobean period and almost
original, 1t was trife spoiled by some
Phiistine individual about thirty years
since, but with your taste and the aid of the
local architect everything can be put right
This pearl OF houses goes by the name OF
Thorpe Manor, and Is, of course, haunted,
so you may relieve the monotony of country
life by a genuine ghost hunt.
Ever yours, JOHN RIDGEwAY.
p. S-'lhe house is in Surrey, about four
miles from Winton station. You had better
come down at once, as hear some one else
is after it.
At that time | was fairly good
looking, well-to-do bachelor of thirty
FIVE. My ample leisure devoted to
antiquarian researches, literary work
and the collection of "curios." had
no relatives and few friends, and lived
an almost solitary and perfectly happy
life in my chambers.
Among what some people called my
craze" was an enthusiasm for ancient
houses, and | had deputed John Ridg-
way, an artist friend of mine who lived
in Surrey, to find me genuine old
country house--a dreamy, rambling
place where could spend the summer
Hence his letter
As the train steamed into the little
station at Winton, John rushed up to
my carriage and clasped my hand -
Dear old chap! be quite beamed with
joy at the prospect of showing me his
wonderful house
Charming old place I've had my
eye on it xix months !" no said as he
walked over the common.
Then he produced the inevitable note.
book aud pencil and was soon drawing
plans and explaining details.
As we passed through the village we
called upon the house agent and took
him with Ms. lie was prosaic man,
and evidently thought we were a couple
Of mild lunatics, 80 excited did we be-
come when suddenly turning corner at
the loot of steep incline we stood in
front of Thorpe Manor. 1t was quaint
old house, standing back little from
the road, and its walls were as perfect
as when first built, but mellowed and
bcautided by time.
We walked up the prim gravel path
to the wide doorway with its fantastic
carving Here our agent produced
huge, rusty key and unlocked the door,
which swung back easily on its large
hinges We entered and went through
the rooms, which had low ceilings and
broad window seats. Most Of these had
paneled walls, though some of them
had been covered with paper which, Of
course, we said must come Off One Of
tho bedrooms-whch | thought from
the elaborate carving on the high man
tel shelf and the beautiful oak paneling
had originally been the state one--was
perfect
/ felt strangely attracted TO this room,
know not why, and as we turned TO
leave fingered behind the others for a
parting glance. Then ! slowly went
down the winding stairway.
"Seen the ghost p asked John, Jest.
ingly.
The agent looked uneasy. Ghosts
are tiresome things, apt to initiate very
much against the chances Of securing a
good tenant, but | treasured him by re-
marking that rather liked ghosts, and
that 50 far as could see the house was
exactly what wanted. OF course.
there we're many details to be settled
about the lease, repairs, and other mat
ters, and ] stipulated that ! should be
allowed 10 make some alterations, such
as removing the staring plate glass with
which the late owner had "modernized"
the windows Of the lower rooms.
Six weeks later was installed in my
new residence The alterations we're
not nearly completed, but declining the
Ridgcways pressing invitation 10 take
up my quarters with them, ! occupied
two rooms IN the old house and engaged
a woman 10 the village 10 come daily
and attend to my simple wants
On the third evening after my arrival
! was smoking my favorite pipe by a
wood fire ia the oakroom, which | had
made my bedroom. It was nearly IL
o'clock. but being accustomed 10 late
hours did not feel inclined for bed -
far from it. I decided to have one more
pipe, and hastily taking up my pouch
began to refill my piPo. Suddenly
stopped short, and with my little finger
still rnmtned into thu howl of thu nine