The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-18
LIVING WITH A GHOST.
The Experience OF N Group OF Young
Bachelors I'm Washington.

WaSnsuB y 1OSI
The recent death OF Mr. Oswald Charlton
in England recalls some Interesting meme
ries OF his life in Washington. Many years
ago, and previous TO his marriage 10 Miss
Mary Campbell, OF this city, he was a young
attache of the British legation In company
with several of his friends, he decided TO
keep bachelors hall one winter in the cosy
on Farragut Square. At that time rumors
were current about the premises being
haunted II was principally on this account
the house in which 10 pass the winter and
verify or disprove the truth or falslty Of
modern house OF seven gables. The winters
occupancy of the house proved a most in
teresting chapter in the life of the young
fellows and a prolific source of conjecture
and wonderment TO their friends.
The ghostly materializations. at least In
the matter OF a presence felt rather than
TO awe. bewilder and finally delight the
party OF fun-loving fellows Quartered In the
spooks' stronghold. Sitting back as far as
possible the stories, the legend ran that at
an early date, even before the cottage had
been completed, there had been 4 murder
committed on the ground. However. as far
pack as the winter OF 1872 or 1913, in which
the cottage was occupied by Mr.. Charlton,
knowledge that the ghost had repeatedly
manifested itself to the young fellows in
TIE most unmistakable manner was the ABB
sorbing theme OF interest. Each and all OF
their friends in turn wished 10 have the op-
portunity, OF feeling the impalpable pres
40 AN was 6lNCA Xix III
sired treat. However vengeful tie wander
ing spirit might have been at heart. there
was nothing of this apparent in its periods
OF haunting the premises. IL was more on
the mlschievous, fun-loving order. The most
puzzling thing about the ghost, which was
never really settled 10 the young fellows
satisfaction, was i'm regard to lis gender.
though the weight Of opinion leaned toward
its being a woman.
Mysterious and u-naccountable rappingA
throughout the house and jangling of bells
at weird times, when human agency was
not TO nave been expected, made no lack
a ghost OF originality OF manifestation. and
showed a rooted dislike 10 cigarette smoke.
Frequently in the evenings. when a party
OF young men were sitting smoking in the
dining room rather late, If the apartment
became somewhat cloudy with smoke-as
would naturally be the case with half a
dozen vigorous pairs Of young lungs pulir<
away for a couple of hours at an unlimited
supply OF cigarettes-the ghost would make
its presence felt. Each Of the smokers in
turn would feel The soft touch OF a hand
pass across the face, and a sudden swift,
cold breath, as the cigarettes were extin-
guished and the cloud of smoke cleared as
If by magic
At other times. in walking across the room
there would suddenly come a binding sense
of an intangible handkerchief tied about
their eyes with such dexterity as 20 efectu-
ally impede further progress. Again, about
the height OF a foot from the floor would
rise sudden barriers that, upon inVestiga-
ton, would resolve themselves into nothing
ness. In going up or down the stairs IL
was of frequent occurrence TO meet the
ghostly ~visitant, who passed on its way with
the swish and rustic 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 possession.
The quaint old border custom Of using this
spur to replenish the larder of the house
OF Charlton is decidedly investing II with
the properties Of a mascot. The retainers
having been invited to dinner, 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
harder, and that II behooved them TO prop
erly supply the deficiency This spur was
exhibited recently before the Newcastle So
ciety Of Antiquaries. Sir George Treyelyan
has in his possession a painting OF the late
w. Bell Scott, in which the Incident OF the
Charlton spur here referred to is portrayed.