The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-01-01
The Ghost That He Saw
by JOmN sWINTON.

BY JOHN SwINTON.
AS L have never been reader o
ghost stories, cannot say whether an
experience like ,that of which 1 an
about to tell has ever fallen 10 the 10
of any other mortal.
Shortly before the American Civi
War broke out, forty yea. ago, wa
living in the South, mt the picturesque
capital of the "Palmetto State" What
kind of place the city CT Columpt'
may now be cannot say, for the OLE
city of the name that once knew wal
burned during the period of hostilities
But, when hvcd there, the Carolin
ians always extolled their capital and
were proud of its fame as the most
beautiful city in the South.
boarded at the Mansion House, 9
large and rather stately domiclle neai
the head of Main street, not far from
the broad avenue on which stood the
residences of the plantation aristo'
cracy, who were the owners of herds
of negro slaves. 1t was o typical
outhern domicile of the kind that
used to be raised by the planters q
hundred years ago. In front OF 1T, and
on both OF its eides, grew stately old
trees, which embowered and shaded itj
the pillars at its entrance werc festOon-
ed with evergreens; the balcony was
like flower garden. From my WIN
dow saw the palmettos and magnolias
which grew in the court; saw also a
fg tree, the ripe green fruit OF which
was dainty that sometimes plucked
at sunrise, ere yet George, a watchful
young slave of the house, had got out
of his cabin, and while yet his owner
was dreaming.
The master of the Mansion House
was grim old Colonel" of Irlsh
birth, who had formerly served in the
foreign wars of the British army, and
whom, after these many years, re-
member only as a choleric veteran at
once iron handed toward the slaves OF
the establishment and indulgent to-
ward the members of his family.
There was q social commotlon in the
Colonel's household one autumn day.
Word had been unexpectedly received
that some friends of the family were
coming up from their plantation on
one of the Sea Islands, where the long
staple cotton grows, to spend week
with the Colonel's people at Columbia;
and the thought had suddenly entered
the head of the Colonels wife that
there was not room to spare for all of
them at that time in the Mansion
House.
There was something like domestic
panic, and it came suddenly, without
warning; for the visitors from the
coast were to arrive by the evening
train. They had to be made welcome
whatever happened. No apology for
lack Of accommodations was to be
thought of. For Southern hospita-
ity" in the ante-bellum days was al
ways ready for any emergency; 1t sur
mounted every circumstance.
One Of the Colonel's daughters, who
seemed to be in much distress, sent
word to ME that there was something
of an unpleasant kind which 1, as q
friend of the family ought to know.
We are in state of perplexity," she
said. She then told me of the sitna-
tion in which the household was placed,
and how the embarrassment had arisen.
Her iather had talked Of going quietly
to o hotel for week, but the visitors
would surely hear of it, and be uneasy.
He had also spoken Of staying for some
nights in an old haunted house, long
deserted, which stood beyond q clump
of woods within sight; but he, tho an
old soldier, was very nervous, and got
so alarmed lest he might see the white
ghost always there at midnight that he
yielded to the remonstrances of his
wife. All the other notions that came
into his head had to be abandoned for
one reason or another. The visitors
ly had been put to any trouble on their
account.
AS / had previously heard of the
haunted house, tho had never seem
it, 1 told the Colonel's daughter that 1
myself would like to offer relief by
staying there for q few nights, as 1 was
not afraid OF ghosts, and did not be-
lieve In them.
My offer was promptly and gladly
accepted by the Colonel, aud my
quarters in his mansion were made
ready for the visitors in time for their
reception that evening. The perplexi-
ty was ended.
In the afternoon of the day Of per-
plexity the Colonel told Black George
TO carry u cot, small table, chair,
and candle TO the haunted house, for
my use. AS the ghost was never. seen
There in daylight, the slave was not
afraid.
About ten O'Clock that night left
the mansion and set off in the direc-
tion which George pointed out, saying
"Right up thar Massa," as he giggled
in the manner of his wooly-headed
race.
took with mo lantern, o pistol,
and novel. SO, with q stout heart, o
firm tread, and q disdainful air, made
my way along time-woin path,
through the clump OF woods, beyond
which now saw lighted candle in
tho abandoned house, which was said
to be haunted.
Il 1t was q rickety old two story wooden
. rookery which, as had learned, was
sAfsha home Of slave-trader, but
8 l,.. occupied for near
a st a or since the time
z - i y dreadful murde,
III 3| at S = lays appeared
s. 3 midnight, robet