The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-02-18
LIVING WITH A GHOST.
The Experience of Group Of Young
Bachelors in Washington.
rom the Washington Pos

From the Washington Post.
The recent death of Mr.. Oswald Charl-
ton in England recalls some interesting
memories of his life in Washington.
Many years ago, and previous to his mar
rage to Miss Mary Campbell of this city,
he was young attache of the British
Legation. In company with several of
mis- friends be decided to keep bachelors
hall one winter in the cosey double
framed cottage that formerly stood on
Faragut square. At that time rumors
were current about the premises being
haunted. Ii was principally on this ac-
count that Mr.. Charlton and his friends
selected the house in which TO pass the
winter, and verify or disprove the truth
or falsity of the ghoulish stories afoat
regarding this modern house of seven
gables The winters occupacy of the
mouse proved most interesting chapter
in the life of the young fellows and a
prolific source of conjecture and wonder
ment to their friends.
The ghOsay materialiZations, at least
IN the matter of a presence felt rather
than seen, were of such frequent occur
renee as to awe. bewilder, and finally de-
light the party of fun-loving fellows
quartered in the spoolSs stronghold
Sitting back as far as possible the stories,
QdIG,
even before the cottage had been com
pleted, there had been a murder commit
ted on the ground. However, as far back
as the winter of n or ~, in which the
cottage was occupied by Mr.. Charlton,
knowledge that,the ghost had repeatedly
manifested itself to the young fellows in
the most unmistakable manner was the
absorbing theme of interest Each and
all of their friends in turn wished to have
mi Of fNa l,
presence, and each in turn was given the
desired treat. However vengeful the
wandering spirit might have been at
heart, there was nothing of this appar-
ent in its periods of haunting the prem
ises. 1t was more on the mischievous,
fun-loving order The most pulling thing
about the ghost, which was never really
settled to the young fellows satisfaction,
was in regard to its gender. though the
weight of opinion leaned toward its being
woman.
Mysterious and unaccountable rappings
throughout the house and jangling of bells
at weird times, when human agency was
not to have been expected, made no lack
of entertainment. But beyond this it was
a ghost of originality of manifestation,
and showed a rooted dislike to cigarette
smoke. Frequently, in the evenings,
when party of young men were sitting
apartment became somewhat cloudy with
smoke-as would naturally be the case
with half dozen vigorous pairs of young
lungs pulling away for a couple of hours
at an unlimited supply of Characteristic
ghost would make its presence felt. Each
| of the smokers in turn would feel the soft
touch of hand pass across his face and
a sudden. swift, cold breath, as the ciga-
| rettes were extinguished and the cloud of
smoke cleared aS nv magic
At other times in walking across the
| room there would suddenly come blind
ing sense of an intangible handkerchief
tied about their eyes with such deterity
as to effectually impede further progress.
Again a bout the height of a foot from
| the floor, would raise sudden barriers
that, upon Investigation would resolve
| themselves in nothingness. In going up
or down the stairs it was of frequent oc-
curence tomeet the ghostly visitant. who
passed on its way with swish and rus
tie as of silken garments. The mystery
was never explained, and though at
times the ghost made the other occupants
of the house feel decidedly queer, the
winters experience was upon the, whole
not to be regretted,
There is a curious story Of the Charlton
| spur, that from time of which the family
has no record has been in their posses
sion. The quaint old border custom of
using this spur TO replenish the larder OF
the house of Charlton is decidedly invest
ing it with the properties of mascot.
The retainers having been invited to din
ner, the spur was served up in a covered
| dish. When the lid was lifted the sight
of the spur intimated to the retainers
that that was about the most nourishing
| thing contained in the larder, and that it
behooved them to properly supply the de-
tciency. This spur was exhibited re-
Gently before the Newcastle Society OF
Antiquaries. Sir George Trevelyan has
in his possession painting of the late w.
Bell Scott, in which the incident of the
Charlton spur here referred to is por-
trayed.