The record-union., 1896-07-26
MIDNIGHT MYSTERY.
The Haunted House on the Bluff at
Yokohama.
How a Party Of Americans Solved
Mystery Which Puzzled
the Natives.

PORTLAND (Or), July 23.-The fol-
| lowing story whose authenticity is
vouched for by the narrator, a jolly,
bluff old sea Captain, was told me not
long ago.
| In the city of Yokohama, on a steep
bluff overlooking the harbor, there
stands a large, somberlooking gray
house, four stories high in front and,
being built on a hill is only one story
in the back, so that the windows of the
back bedrooms are very easy of access
from the ground. The house always
bore an uncanny reputation, standing
silent and untentanted for years, the
grim custodian of secrets which would
not bear the light of day.
The sailors passing it in their ships
look upon it in fear and trembling, and
whisper shudderingly of the fearful
crime committed within it's walls.
The story goes that some years ago
an English family, consisting Of the
father, a quiet, elderly gentleman, his
wife, son and daughter, rented the
house in spite of the uncanny stories.
For almost year they lived there un-
disturbed by either spook or hobgoblin.
Christmas Eve while they were assem-
bled in the sitting room, around the
blazing hearth, a noise was heard up
stairs which the father went up to in
vestigate. AS he did not reappear his
son went after him.
Going up steep narrow staircase the
door at the head of the stairs leading
to the bedroom occupied by his mother
So ~. %n11
ajar, was violently slammed almost in
his face For moment surprise over
came him, then summoning his courage
to his aid, he opened the door and STUN
bled over the body of his father lying
just within the door, his throat cut
from ear to ear, while the bedroom
window opening on the road was wide
open. All Investigations proved fruit
less, and the family soon after returned
to England.
The Japanese are superstitiouS peo-
pie, and it was not long after this that
the house gained the reputation of being
haunted; strange lights carried by un-
seen hands were seen to fit from room
to room, unearthly cries were heard,
chains Not a native in the city could
house after nightfalL
One day a party Of Americans heard
the weird tales, which gained in horror
as they were circled from lip to lip, and
they decided to investigate the mystery
for themselves.
Accordingly one Christmas Eve upon
the anniversary Of the tragedy they be-
took themselves to the house. Armed
with large hamper Of refreshments to
keep up their courage, unlimited cigars
and, Of course, the inevitable pistols,
they ensconced themselves in the sit
ting-room with the door ajar.
The house was so near the water that
the bells on the ships, Ginning out the
hours, could be distinctly heard. The
fore part Of the evening passed away
pleasantly enough in Jokes and story
telling, when just as the bells tolled out
the hour of II the sound Of a scrimmage
was heard in the room above, the very
room where the old man had been so
foully murdered. For. an instant they
looked at each other terror stricken,
then without word one of them seized
his pistol in one hand, the lamp In the
other, and led the wayeup stairs, closely
followed by his companions. Just as
they reached the head Of the stairs the
bedroom door was violently slammed,
blowing out the lamp some one produc-
ed a match and relit it; then the leader
pushed open the door, and as he did SO
stumbled over the body of a man, lying
just within the threshold. AS he fell
he instinctively put out his hand to
save himself, when to his horror, he
found it was reeking with warm, hu-
man blood. Thereupon he promptly
tainted.
With characteristic energy the Amer
leans set to work to probe the mystery
of the haunted house to the bottom. The
dead Jap was turned over to the au-
thorities, who identified him as being
one Of band of robbers who for years
had succeeded in eluding the vigilance
of the police. A watch was set around
the house, and before long the whole
band was caught. AT that time the laws
of Japan were very strict in regard to
robbery; in fact, it was no unusual
thing for a thief to be put to death
Before the execution one of the num-
Der confessed that it was he who had
murdered the Englishman, afterwards
escaping from the open window. It
seems that the JapS were away on one
Of their annual robbing expeditions and
did not know that the house was rented
until their return. AS usual, one of
them entered through a back window
to see if the coast was clear. Hearing a
noise down stairs he stopped to listen,
and before he could make his escape
the old gentleman was in the room
Well knowing the consequence to him
self should the alarm be given he ac-
cepted the only alternative and killed
the old man where he stood.
After the family vacated the house
the thieves again made it their rem
devious, well knowing they would not
be disturbed by the superstitious ma
tives.
The night the party Of Americans
made their Investigations the thieves
had just returned and had with them a
sick companion. Hearing the voices
and the sound of approaching footsteps.
as some movement of theirs attracted
the attention of the party down stairs,
they murdered their helpless companion
and fed.
Thus was the mystery cleared away.
but to this day the natives will not be-
lieve, and the house is stin under
ban, stunned by all, gloomy, desolate
and deserted. BESELENA.