Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-07-27
A Queer Ghost.

Mr.. Budd saw that the house was
bargain and was not to he fright
ened out of such an excellent oppor-
tunity to get q cheap home because
it was said to be haunted.
So he and his wife and ba by moved
in and were delighted with the APP
pearance of everything. That very
evening, though, he Intercepted his
neighbor regarding the ghost that
was SAID to be so noisy at night. II
tink it vas all foolishness,' respond.
ed that gentleman. "My wife unit me
never heard any tings until Katrina
wakes US opp l guess it vas the
chimney vane."
Mr.. Budd examined the vane and
oiled it, and when supper was over
and the light lit, began to feel that
the house was too cosy for the habi-
tation of ghost. At 10 O clock
Mrs. Budd carried the baby upstairs,
and Mr.. Budd promised to follow
when he had read his paper through.
1t was eleven O'Clock before he finish.
ed, and he had just seen to the bolts
and was about to turn out the light
when his wife, wrapped in a cloak,
and clasping the baby in her arms,
crept into the room, pale and trem-
bling, and with her teeth chattering
in her head.
"Oh, Ben, NY dear, th nix heaven,
there is nothing the matter with
you,' che cried. Somebody is being
murdered, IN sure. | am afraid it
is Ann. Oh, what shall we do 2"
Mr.. Budd, nearly as white as his
wife, dashed open the door leading
to the passage and ran pthe kitchen
stairs. A cry of "Saints protect us!"
was heard, and he returned to the
parlor.
"Ann was quietly asleep until I
wakeped her. he said. "I'll go up
stairs and see what it u.s. Stayh ere"
But Mrs. Budd, vowing she would
not be left alone, followed him.
The little bedroom, bright with
pink and blue chintz, and white
spreads and curtains, should have
been the most peaceful place on
earth, but it was at the moment full
Of the most fearful sounds that ever
fell on mortal cars. Horrible groans,
long drawn obs Then gurgles and
graspingsl Then silence for mo.
ment only to make the renewed moan.
ings more terrible.
In fact, Mr.. and Mrs. Budd, hav-
ing listened to these awful sounds
for some time, retreated to the par
lor and there sat until morning. Mr..
Budd having confessed to the story
connected with the house.
"But, you know, Kitty, l couldn't
believe in ghosts, and I don't now,
of course he added, by way of
moral.
swell, 1 am convinced, for one,''
faltered Mrs. Budd. "That could he
nothing but some one being murder
ed. And since no one is being MUIR
dered, of course it is a-a-manifes
tation."
This was said as the dawn was
breaking and the groans had ended
with what seemed the sounds of a
fearful struggle and a loud "Ah,
Godr'
After breakfast Mr.. Budd, weary
with his vigil, set out to call on his
landlord and give up the house.
The landlord was out and pla-
card on his door announcing that he
would not be back for week. Mr..
Budd returned YEARLY and consulted
with his wife, and since no harm had
been done them she decided to have
a mattress brought down to the par
lor and try one night more. Mean
while they might find another house,
and If the rent must be lost, it must,
that was all.
But no other house was to let
within the village or outside of it.
Summer guests thronged the place,
and night fell and the Budds saw the
darkness come with terror in their
hearts. Mrs. Budd. however, fell
asleep on the improvised mattress,
and her husband armed with lam
tern, crept up stairs to listen to the
ghost again.
He was worse than before, for he
gasped more, but as Mr.. Budd grew
calmer it occurred to him that the
sound was not in the room. He
crossed it and laid his ear to the
wall. The fearful noise came from
the next house. Perhaps the German
was playing the ghost to lower the
valnn OF the nrnnertv and hnu Il