Sunday Washington globe., 1902-03-16

to the house had rented for the summer
months is another hours ride, though by
wagon ! thought the distance consider
ably longer on this spring day, as I alighted
at the house ! was to occupy for the next
four months OF more. II certainly was
nice situation, especially If a person was
eekiug quietude; not another house in
sight. So far as ! could see there might
not be any in the next ten miles. Anyway
wasn't going to worry myself about the
scarcity of neighbors, we had enough of
these in the city
The house / was now about to enter was
one of those many windowed, many sided
affairs, having gables all about and carry
ing with IL suggestions of snug little corners
and cosy fre-places within. I judged it
had been built about thirty or forty years
before, and though il seemed to be in rather
good repair, it had the appearance Of not
having been occupied very much. Weeds
had grown all about the place, and the front
porch looked rather shaky; here and there
the steps had begun TO rot away, and no
ticed that the window shutters were Shy"
IN some places, but for a trifing outlay of
money judged that / could give the place
quite decent appearance.
The lease Of the property had been so
spend a little money on improvements.
made these observations while the driver of
the country wagon in which had come
from the station, was busily engaged in un-
loading my trunks and a few other things
had wished to bring with me. thereby cheat
ing the baggage men of the exquisite pleas
ure they seemed 10 take with my goods on
former occasions.
Pretty nice place this, u said. turning
to assist the couutryman with my belong
ings.
''Yaas." he said tugging away at my
trunk, "ther place looks alright 'nuff."
Who lived here when the house was
first built" / asked, as we dropped my
things on the porch and / went searching
through my clothes for the keys.
Il fergit ther name of ther pussOus as
built the house he replied, strengthening
himself up and wiping the perspiration
from his brow, some kind er furrin' name,
though it wer, but they didn't stay long
about here. None of the folks hereabouts
ever got 'quainted with 'em 'er tall Since
they left theirs been er dozen er more lived
here, but none of 'em ever stayed" he
added
Why it seems to be a nice place, :"
said, and the house is as good as any /
have seen in this section. II isn't haunted
is in" I asked iokingly as I fitted the key
into the door
i dunno, he drawled, whether it are
'er not, but they does tell some mighty un-
common tales about ther' goings on here at
night. But / knows one thing" he con-
tinued, moving uneasily as l pushed open
the door, I wouldnt want er stay here at
night er tall"
CO this ryas The re,eo,, 81 -. ,.,.,s.- -
a bargain / mused. / wondered if that real
estate agent knew of the reputation Of the
place when he rented it to me Anyway
wasn't going TO worry myself about the
matter deeming it all pack of nonsense.
felt confident that my wife was stronger
minded than most women, and as we in
tended to have a great deal Of company all
through the summer 1--WE have no children)
fancied that we would not run much
chance Of being annoyed by 'spooks"
The interior OF the house gave me a great
deal more cause for qualification than the
exterior had. ! found upon entering that
1t was in pretty good condition, although
having somewhat damp and M usty smell
from its being so long idle Judged After
inspecting all the rooms and closets ] was
delighted with my bargain, though I must
confess ] was somewhat bothered bv the
countrymans yarn. But ! concluded
would say nothing TO my wife about the
matter, because nothing excltes a woman
so much as does the mere mention of
ghosts. We brought the trunk and the
other things into the house and put them
into the closet which ! securely locked.
Then seeing that everything was secure l
mounted to my seat beside the driver and
was driven back to the station From there
/ took the train for home, where l arrived
IN time for dinner.
Ny wife and myself discussed our pros
poets for the summer far into the night.
We decided to move the greater part of our
things the next day to the house in the
country ! was to go by the early train in
the morning, taking with me our two SER
wants, and by the time the things began to
arrive we calculated we would be ready to
receive them.
The next morning myself and the "helpp
started for the country house We opened
up the place. and Immediately began
vigorous cleaning which was needed very
badly. ] was more delighted than ever
with the house; II was really a fine place.
and began to experience the agreeable
sensations OF being a country gentleman
The servants we're in a kind Of ecstasy over
the prospects of spending the summer in
such nice place. ] was glad to see this.
for next 10 my wife's opinion / regarded
theirs as being essential to the success Of
our summers outing. Our things began to
arrive about the middle of the day, and
when they were placed in position around
IN the different rooms it improved the ap.
pearance Of the house wonderfully. / also
had a couple Of farm hands cleaning around
the outside Of the place removing weeds
and other refuse matter, but I took good
care that they did not get into conversation
with the girls, as / was afraid they might
spin" the haunted house yarn TO them.
Ny wife arrived on the evening train and
was more taken with the place than had
dared imagine. With her assistance and
instructions we soon had things in some
kind of order, and If any two people were
ever pleased with house and meant TO
continue 50 those two persons were myself
and wife We sat rather late that night out