The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-26
nov mr. cAOoHr IHE GHosr
And spoiled Many - Grewsome, Thrilling
story.

And Spoiled Many a Grewsome, Thrilling
story.
eyes. tho house IS a good one" said the
pgent, '1ts ln a good neighborhood, and
you're getting 10 at almost nothing; but
J think it right to tell YOU all about t..
You are orphans. YOU say, and with
mother dependent on yOuf That makes
81 AN the more necessary that you should
know The fact is. the house rs said TO
be haunted"
The agent could not help smiling as ne
eaid It, and ne was relieved 90 see an an
swerlng smile ON the two faces before
him.
"Ah. you don't believe in ghosts,' he
went on. nor do ]. FOR trIt matter; but
somehow, the reputation of the house
kecpe le from having "a tenant long at
time. The place ought TO rent for twice
as much ass 10 does
"lf we succeed in driving ont the ghost,
Eou Will not raise the rentY' asked the
hoy with a merry twinkle IN his eyes.
"Weu. n0-not this year. at amy rate"
laughed tho agent. and go the house was
rented. and the slip of a girl and the tan
lad, her brother, went their way.
Within q week the family had moved
Unto the house. ana were delighted with
&c. 10 WAS large and cool. with wide
halls and fine stairways. and with more
matter in the least for they had always
been cramped I'm small houses. suffering
many discomfOrts. and they never could
have afforded such place aa this If 10
had not been haunted
blessings on the ghOsti' cried Mar
Faret. gaiiy, as she ram about ass merry
as a child "Who would be without q
ghost in The house when 10 brings one
like thls?"
And 10 SIS $50 near your school" said
the mother. "and / used 90 worry so over
that long walk; and David can come home
20 lunch now. and YOU don't know what
% pleasure that will be-"
''lt seems to mo- David eravcly OK
planned chat if 4 should meet the ghost
] would treat him with tine greatest po-
likeness ana encourage him Go stay. We
shall not miss the room ho takes. shall
wc2 . think 20 would Dee well TO set
aside That room over yours. Maggie. for
DIS glostship own. for we shan not need
that YOU know. Besides the door does
mot shut, and he can go in and out with
out breaking the lock-
And then they AN laughed and had a
great deal OF fun over The ghost which
was "a great joke Co them.
They were very tired that night. and
slept souudly all night long. When they
met next morning there was more laugh
ter about the ghost which was shy about
meeting strangers probably and had
made no cnort to Introduce himself. For
tho next three days they were AN hard
at work trying lo hrng chaos into some
Thing Nke order and then DO was time
FOR the school Co open. and Margaret
was to begin teaching and David in
sorted au advertisement ln the city ma
pcrs FOR "a maid-oi-aii- work. who might
help their mother ln their absence.
For one whole day prospective coiored
servants presented themselves and am
nounced:
'Is dis do house whar dey wants
worklady' SO. me am, D amt gwine ter
work Boa die house, Ketch me workln'
in mo- hanied house,"
After which they each and en- dopart-
ed. and others came ln their stead. One
was secured after awhile: but no sooner
had she talked across the fence with
ne.ghbors servant than She too. depart
co.
Never mind. children" said Mrs
Craig YEARLY 81 would much rather
DO the work than Doe troubled in this
way"
So the maid-of-all-wors idea was dis
missed ana the CraiR family locked the
doors ana went TO their rooms. worn out
with the days anXicucf.
They hod been in the house four DAYS.
and there had been neither sight nor
sound of the ghost. The very mention OF
- was enough 90 start them af to- LAUGH
ing for They were thoroughly practical
pSp!e with "a fondncss Tor inquiring into
anyihsng that seemed mysterious 10 them
and for understanding q thoroughly be-
fore they lct it-go.
David was soon slconine the sound sleen
~ healthy boyhood. and an was silent I'm
the house. when Margaret stole softly
into has room and laid her hand on his