The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-09-20
TIE HOUSE OF HAUNTS.

"Wen. children. you say you wish me TO
tell you a story?" asked Uncle Ned, as he
sat In the sleepy hollow in front of the
blazinl, IRE, surrounded by four ncphews
and I'VE nieces. grandma doing her knit
ting while grandpa Was busy reading his
evening paper.
YES. Uncle Ned" said little Jamie. "a
story-a real good story"
what shall it be? Jack. the Giant Kill
err asked the uncle.
NO" said Hayward. we've all heard
that"
'Cinderclla'?' suggested the uncle.
"Why. Uncle Ned. j have known that
story for three years-giye US new
story" said sara.
ghost stories?'
yes" exclaimed nine voices i'm concert.
"Au right. then" said Uncle Ned, let
ne light my pipe. for 1 can think better
and talk better when l see the curling
smoke.
This IS December 31-the anniversary
OF great and bloody battle during our
civil war: who can tell me the name Of
the battle2"
"stone River" answered benjamin,
with promptness.
Correct Benja' replied Uncle Ned; you
will be a great historian some d8y'
"There now" put in black-eyed Ethel;
''you and Benja ar always talking history.
What 90 we girls care about history ana
battles and horrid old men, killing each
other like dogs? / thought you were 60
ing to tell Us a ghost story
$50 l am. IL YOU pert girls VIII Quit
interrupting me; and l am going to let the
ghost tell his own story, so that IL Will be-
H.... r.I..r d. af f.fl
"Ohw exclaimed several voices AT once.
and several pairs Of eyes stretched IN
undiSguised establishment.
Ghosts cannot talk said Sara.
80. yes they can" replied Uncle Ned.
"this Is TO be a real story from real
ghost: the ghost told the story TO me just
as / am going 10 tell 80 90 you
do 20 on them Uncle cried several.
and ewes. mouths and ears We're now all
wonder and attention.
AS BENJAMIN and were about 10 recall
90 your minds. this is the anniversary or
the battle OF Stone River Thirty-two
years ago to-day Bragg and Eosecrans.
with about 5000 men each. mot each other
near the beautiful little town Of Murfroes-
boro in the heart of the bluegrass Mid
die Tennessee At the end OF two days
fighting over half the Federal soldiers and
nearly half the Confoderatos lay dead
,pon the field. as IS shown by the two
large cemeteries near the sccne OF the
conflict Two years ago. as You know, l
was called from our lovely Carolina here
with YOU 20 take charge OF "a school in
Murfreoshoro Tho building SIS "a large old
style 3-story brick: had been used for
big university before the war. during the
war II was occupied as q hospital. but
aftcrward was converted into a prepare
tory school. with principally local patron
aae. Your aunt and ] have been living
I'm the building soon after arranging our
suite OF rooms your aunt went on a visit
10 relatives. and / was left for several
weeks alone at night In that great big
building.
80 uncle. didn't you get scared?' asked
Ethel
NO. though I sometimes got lonesome.
Tho house was ga the center o. a l6-acre
campus and was I'm the suburbs. several
hundred yards from any neighbor."
oh / should have been scared 20
death" exclaimed Sara And was that
where you saw the ghost?"
eyes: and now TN soon begin The story.
A few nights after wife had left I was
lying I'm bed when I thought heard a
noise IN the hail. and. on listening. was
sure l heard voices"
GOOD gracious should have said my
prayers and then died" said Ethel. ex-
v,tsdiy. 'pid yes sss W 70 seel"