Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-21
The Ghost
Cedar Grove.
tByJ. HARRISON ALLEN.>

a deep sigh Of relief as the last piece Of
furniture was put In place. My physician
had recommended a country home for me-
I Business worries and cares had broken
| down my physical and nervous system,
and he thought country air and life
would prove more beneficial to me than
drugs We had been looking for suburban
| house for some time, and at last found
| what suited us at Cedar Grove, which
| was the name given the place by its past
| owners There were two things that
caused us to decide on this property
| first it was just the place to please us
| both; second, the sum asked for 1T was
less than half its actual value.
We were just commencing to enjoy
| our new nome when something happened
| that threw a cloud over cur contentment,
I or rather, my contentment, for my wife
| knew nothing of a secret that ! had
! learned I was riding to the post-oftfce
one bright morning, when I met the man
| who owned the adjacent property.
Good morning cried cheerfully, de-
/ string to make friends with the person
! who would be my nearest neighbor for
some time. I noticed peculiar look on
| the farmers honest face as I drew
naer.
Good morning.. he responded. "Ain't
you the man what bought Cedar Grover
! Yes, SIR
How do ye like it,"
Very well. thank you. I think we shall
enjoy our life here"
Maybe" was the reply. In tone that
implied great doubt.
Don't you think it fine placer"
Yves; a fine place. but ain't ye afeerd
Of the ghost?"
Yes, sir the ghost! Didn't We know
| the place was haunted when we took it?''
| Haunted? No! Never heard Of such
| a thing. I got it so cheap I didn't ask
any questions I am not afraid Of spir-
/ itual visitors, anyway" I laughingly re-
piled.
II wasn't neither, till some time ago.
TELL me just what you mean"
DO ye remember reading three years
! ago Of the murder of Judge Cooke
| Yes, now that you recall it, I do
"Well, 1t was in the library Of that
house that the crime was committed"
I gave q cry Of surprise. THAT red
stain on the library carpet then is
Eyes, sir. that is from the crime. The
| heirs sold the property, with furniture
| in it, and were glad to set it off their
| hands,"
new light had dawned on my mind.
I had wondered why such a fine old estate
should be sold at SO moderate a figure.
not in ghosts, the fact did not cause me
any anxiety. In fact. I smiled that the
superstition Of the owners should have
caused them to sell so cheaply, and make
such a sacrifice.
The farmer perceived my look OF in
credulity. "Ye may smile. if ye want to,
but l tell ye it's true. Three families
have moved into that house and have
moved out again too-and mighty quick.
Iof hot rJrn of CT JyaT HI,
night. One coored family moved in one
morning. They moved out again the same
evening and walked two miles to the
station in the snow
"Wel," I replied, II am not supersti-
tious, but I don't care for this to reach
my wife's ears, those OF my servants.
7 hey might be ntimidated, but not l.
We remained in conversation for some
time, but the talk drifted to other sub
jects In the pleasures OF the day ! soon
forgot the story told me by my congeniaI,
but nervous neghbor.
That same night 1 had much letter
writing to attend to. AS purposed shut
ting myself away from business cares for
several months, and leaving all financial
matters to the care of my partners, /
thought I would write letters to them
and to several personal friends. It was
10 o'clock when I babe my wife good
night and entered the library for my
task. I had no one with me for com
pany, so l took along a box of cigars and
a decanter of cold rye whiskey., 1 had
been drinking quite freely just about this
time-ny doctor said more than was good
for me in my nervous condition; but this
night I thought I would be guided by my
own incinatiOns.
I was soon lost in my writing. stopping
only at intervals to light a fresh cigar
and to take a drink Of the liquor. I heard
the clock strike H. but was not near the
end OF my task. Just as it struck IL l
heard a footstep in the hall, oh
thought I. there is Nellie. She has
come to see why I sit up so late had
just finished the last line Of the last let
ter, so I sprang to the door to meet
her.
The corridor was shrouded In darkness.
"Nellr' I called. rs that you?'
There was no answer.
''Nellie.'' this time louder.
Then from the darkest corner of the
hallway came a chuckle. low fiendish
even devilish.
l drew from my pocket the f1ve-shooter
I had bought few days previous. Who
is that?' / demanded, lingering the
weapon
Again that chuclle. followed by a
grating voice, whispering, almost at my
elbow This is Judge Cook"
The pistol fell from my hand. l re-
gained possession of 1t and sprang into
the library. paused but a second. then
slammed the door and funlbled for the
key A thrill of horror chilled my being
as found the key had been removed from
the lock. AS quick as thought, I swung
the heavy roll-top desk against the door.
thus barricading that means Of entrance.
Then I sprang to the door that entered
from the back hall. The key was in
the lock and I turned it.
I stood for some time in the center of
the room wondering what to do. First |
thought I would make a dash for my
room, lock myself in with my wife. and
share the nights vigil with her. This |
discarded as a hopeless scheme, for the
spirit of the murdered judge would over
take me long ere 1 reached our room, and
then I would be a his mercy. Next /
thought Of calling aloud to my wife to get
the coachman. This idea I put aside as
cowardy. for if she We're to leave her
room to ascertain the cause of my shouts,
she would be in danger.
was still planning a means of escape
from the library when light tap sounded
at the door. I remained silent Again
the rap--this time louder, and thrice re-
peated A happy thought came to me:
AS I was powerless in the hands of a
supernatural enemy, I must gain his
fr;a lSbj