The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-10-03
THE STORY OF A
HAUNTED HOUSE
How Two Young People Caught the
Ghost and What He Mas Like.

Che agent; Its In a good neighborhood,
and you're getting it at almost nothing;
but I think It right to tell you all about
f. You are orphans you say. and with
mother dependent upon your That
makes 1t an the more necessary that
you should know The fact is. the house
is said to be haunted"
The agent could not help smiling as
he said II. and he was relieved TO see
an answering smile on the two faces
before him.
"Ah, you don't believe in ghostsi" he
went on; NOR do /. for that matter; but.
somehow. tho reputation OF the house
keeps me from having tenant long at
time The place ought to rent for twice
as much as II does"
IF we succeed in driving out the ghost,
you viii not raise the rent?' asked the
boy. with a merry twinkle in his eyes.
"weil. no-not this year. at any rate"
laughed the agent; and so the house was
rented; and the slip Of girl and the tan
lad. her brother. went their way.
wkhin week the family had moved
into the house and were delighted with
It. 1t was large and cool with wide
halls and fine stairways; and with more
room than they needed. Bur that did
not matter in the least. for they had
always been cramped in small houses.
suffering many discomforts; and they
never could have afforded such a place
as this If It had not been haunted"
blessings on the ghost" cried Mar
garet. gaily, as she ran about as merry
as child. who would be without a
ghost in the house, when it brings one
like thisg"
And II is so nesr your school," said
the mother: "and used to worry so over
that long walk; and now David can come
home to lunch. and you don't know how
nice that win be-
1T seems to me-" said David graveiy
that If should meet the ghost would
treat him with the greatest politeness
and encourage him to stay. We shah
not miss the room he takes. shall We?
I think it would be wen to set aside that
room over yours. Margie. for his ghost
ships own. for we shall not need that.
you know. Besides. the door doesn't shut !
and he can go in and out without break !
ing the lock-
And then they all laughed and had a |
great deal Of fun over the ghost. which 1
was great joke to them.
They were very tired that night, and 4
slept soundly all night long. when they
met next morning. there was more laugh
ter about the ghost. which was shy
about meeting strangers. perhaps. and
had made no effort TO introduce himself.
For the next three days they were an
hard at work. trying to bring chaos into
something like order; and then it was
time for school to open. and Margaret
was to begin teaching, and David in
serted an advertisement in the city pa
pers for maid-of-alI-work, who might
help their mother in their absence.
For one whole day prospective colored
servants presented themselves and an
nounced: Wi
rs DIS de house where dey wants
work lady? No. mz'am. ain gwine to
work in dis housel Ketch me workin' in
no ha'nted house!"
After which they each and all de-
parted. and others came in their stead.
One was secured after awhile, but no
sooner had she talked across the fence
with a neighbor's servan; than she too.
departed.
Never mind. children" said Mrs. Craig.
wearily II would much rather do the
work than be troubled in this way
So the maid-of-ail- work idea was dis
missed ard the Craig family locked the
doors and went 10 their rooms worn ont
with the days anxieties.
They had been in the house four days.
and there had been neither sight cor
sound of the ghost. The very mention
Of it was enough to start them Ill to !
laughing. for they were thoroughly
practical people, with fondness for in
quiring into anything that seemed mys-
terious 70 them and for understanding
II thoroughly before they let it go.
David Was soon sleeping the sound s.eep
Of healthy boyhood and all was silent in
the house when Margaret stole softly
into his room and touched his arm. He
was not easy to waken and several min
utes had elapsed before he sat up In bed
with an inartculate murmur Of surprise.
Hush" said Margaret in a whisper.
with her hand on his lips. u want you
to come into my room and listen to a
sound that have been hearing for some
time"
Doors creaking." said David, as he
began to dress.
Nothing Of that kind" was all she
said; and they softly stole into the next
room and listened.
The chirping OF an insect in the trees
outside was the only sound they heard
for 50 long a time that David was be-
ginning to think what laugh he would
have on his sister next day. Then all at
once 1t started again. It was the sound
OF a chain, dragging back and forth
across the floor Of the room. Sometimes
It was dragged slowly. sometimes rap
idly; and sometimes It seemed 10 fall in
heap. A strange sound it was in the
middle Of the night, when everything
else was still. Even the chirp in the
trees had ceased; and nothing was now
to be heard but that chain. dragging
about the floor of the upper room.
wen go and look into It," said David
softly, and in moment he had lighted
lamp and was leading the way.
They walked up the stairway. ard along
the upper hall to the door Of the unused
room. Something was wrong with the
lock. and the door would not stay fast
ened. as have said.
Something that was not fear thrilled