The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-25

been Subdued ana even depressed IN our
demeanor and speech. But once settled and
having taken ourselves to the good cheer,
meager as It was, that we had brought with
US, the spirits of MCGOWAN, the friend who
had issued the challenge, rose to pitch
of gayety we'll nigh boisterous. We were
all Of us more or less infected by his spirit
and we all became SO well assured that
thoughts of danger or harm passed away
and we we're quite jolly. MCGOWAN could
with difficulty only be dissuaded from
breaking into song and. indeed, was only
prevented by the argument OF one OF us
that all the self-respectlng and intelligent
ghosts that might be about would on hear
ing him attempt to lift his voice In song,
Immediately vacate the house In disgust
Thus the minutes passed; the hour OF
midnight approached and passed. was
preparing to deliver myself Of some preg-
nant thoughts on the Enthusiastically and
unreality of ghosts In general and OF
those in Brooklyn in particular. when a
shrek, blood curdling and fiendish, pierced
our ears from a spot apparently within
the room 1t brought us all to our feet,
startled, shocked, bewildered. We stood
looking at each other with blanched faces.
GREATNESS Nothing more unearthly could
nave been imagined. How long We stood
thus looking at each other. none OF us Will
ever tell; perhaps but a short time. but
II seemed an eternity.
MCGOWAN was the first to gain his
tongue:
'oh. I can take a joke as we'll as the
next one he said IT was well done,
whichever one of you did it. Only next
time wait until ] have lighted my cigar,
SO I won't drop II in the shock
But each man so earnestly denied the
shrek as coming from him that Nc
Gowan was at last convinced, not a little
to his discontinue. 1t was not renewed,
nor were other noises heard, and we re-
turned to our blankets TO await further
developments, not little shaken. and. II
the truth were known, each one of us
seeking some valid excuse in his mind
that would justify departure. Gayety
was at an end, and we tried, In subdued
voices. to find some reason for the shrek
in natural causes.
suddenly the door leading to the hall
WAS noiselessly but violently flung open
and the door leading into the rear room,
which we had previously In vain attempt
ed to open, was flung back in similar
manner. Whether it was imagination or
not. and all agreed in the observation OF
Il. the tallow candles burned low. the
flames nearly expiring. This was follow
ed by the noises Of doors violently closed
with banging all over the house Then
all was still.
"This time we ala not rise to our feet,
but sat upright on our blankets. speech
less.
.Tfs the wind that's rising said Nc
Gowan. and as II to substantiate his
statement a blast of wind did sweep over
the house.
This explanation might have sufhcsd
had there not been at once unmistakable
sounds of grooming and gasps Immediately
above our heads. and before We could
barely distinguish the kind OF noises.
heavy footballs on the stairs OF the hall.
which came along the hall directly TO our
ROOM entered and ended there. to be fol-
lowed by clashing OF chains. accompanied
by groans and slghs unmistakahle Lights,
shafts OF light not twfnkling flashes.
danced about the room, resting now on
the face of one of us. now on another.
sometimes binding us and never still.
Heavy footsteps were heard about the
house above, beneath, by the sides OF us
heavy. rushing footsteps. and the cianking
OF chains grew louder.
I'VE were on our feet now, trembling in
every limb. bathed In cold perspiration--at
least was. and the others afterward con-
fcssed TO the same condition. But III we
were on our feet, We were paraiyZed, for
no one stirred from his place. While these
inexplicable noises continued there fioated
across the room something white, gently
brushing some OF US in its pa e--foat-
ed i'm from the door In the hall to the door
darting hither and thither at the time. con-
fllsing the sight In a bewildering manner.
Then came the noise OF furious stamp
ing OF feet In the hall, that blood-curding
shrek, cessation of the shafts OF light,
the form of woman In white drapery.
shadowy, indistinct but Wild and frantic
In action, seen without the door in the
han. the door closed with a bang, another
shrek wilder and more unearthly II tina,
We're possible, and all was stiff our can
dies were burning low, guttered with long
black wicks, making the light dim. with
| auaidng hearts we turned 10 look at each
other.
The noises burst on us again intenSi-
| fed They came from all parts of the
houso--under our feet. over our heads. In
| our very ears. groans shrteks pounding
blows the clankng OF chains. the lights
/ darted hither and thither again and sud
| denly, as with a clap OF thunder. almost.
the Arc place burst open and there ap.
| peared monstrous form with a hideous
/ face. waiting convuisNely. apparently In
! tending 10 enter the room.
| We could stand no longer In a
| panic We took 20 our heels, crowding
| josting and tanning at the door. free
| from which. We dashed down the hall and
/ out OF the door. followed by demoniacal
\ and haunting laughter Across the clear.
| cd space Go the road we dashed. aware
/ that nttul lights were dancing frantIcaily
| AZ each window, nor did We stop to draw
| breath until W were on top OF the htil.
/ where We could see the lights OF Brook.
! bn twinkiinE beneath
Even then We had nothing to say 70
| each other but made our way to Flat.
bush avenue. Al that time there were
/ no cars running at IN tho morning hut
! the excise law was not as vigorously
| executed then as now, and We soon found
| q hostelry open. where, by coplous
| draughis, We braced our shattered nerves
| Whether We decided 20 forget our exper-
tence@ or 10 avoid dwelling upon them
1 untn time had elapsed or not the fact was
| that not word was exchanged on the