Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-02-08
That HAUNTED CHAMBER
EFFORTS TO LOCATE THE ROOM
WHERE CUPID HOLDS FULL SWAY.
Anxious Writers Who Seem 90 Re ae-
tuated by Different Motives-A
FruitIesS Quest.

Some time ago The Star published an &C.
count, more or less veracIous OF a haunt
ed chamber in a country mansion near
Washington. This room differed from the
usual run OF spook infested apartments in
that It was haunted by the shade Of Cupid,
and occupants instead of being troubled by
horrid Nightmares wandered through a de-
lightful dreamland with Cupid as guide.
But more important still was a spell OF
potent magic which the room posse ssed.
Single persons. OF whatever age who had
escaped the tolls Of matrimony for how
ever many years. who unwarily lay with
in its walls for but one night, soon there
after became enmeshed. Maiden ladies
whom Hymen had passed without even a
nod or recognition season after season
sought the-privlege OF resting one night
IN tne room and invariably caught a beau
withih the month. The room was clearly
bewitched and to come within its spell was
for bachelors to court certain disaster ana
old maids assured returns in the shape OF
matrimony.
The publication of the article has evident.
~ aroused widespread interest evidenced
by the following communications which
have been received by The Star Inasmuch
as the whereabouts of the haunted room IS
not known to the writer of the article
these letters are published In the expecta-
tlon that IL any reader is familiar with the
mansion he will make the fact public One
OF the letters was as follows:
Mr.. Editor: / read with some trepidation-
your account OF the luVe-haupted chamber
In the country home near Washington. NV
uneasiness arises from the fact that 1 have
a wide circle Of acquaintances among
the best families of the countryside
ana for the past twenty years Il has been
my chief pleasure to spend considerable
time every season making a round of visits
tic these hospitable homes. While l do not
wish to brag, l am free to say that thus
Tar, by the exercise Of great caution and 1
might say some foNiness. l have escaped the
clutches of designing mothers with eligible
daughters to marry on and stin am en-
apled to amhle through life I'm possession
OF my liberty and free to enjoy the bless
lngs which benchcent Providence beStows
upon those who remain I'm single blessed
ness.
Now. Mr.. Editor, you will readily realize
how dread the possibility of being taken
unawares, SHARED. lured, decoyed and van
qu1shed by 1nnocently and without malice
prepense Venturing within that magic
room some night when visiting my friends.
VIII you not tell me I'm confidence Just
where that room is located so that L may
IN future avoid the house? ] assure you
will esteem IT a great favor and will keep
the secret. is
Another letter was of a different tenor:
Dear Mr. Editor: Yours of the 10th ap-
pearing in The Star to hand and contents
noted have a business proposition TO
make you. / have three daughters OF
strong character, educated abroad; well
each with dowry of 100000, but thus
far no takers
Now. sir If you win disclose to me the
location of that house. I will buy It and
give you the regular trade commission Of y
per cent for your services.
Please wire answer. Collect.
Very truly yours,
]. B. b
dictated F. RI
Another communication. which seems to-
lows:
Dear Sir: have a dear little sister inst
turned seventeen, whom I am trying to
guard from the approaches of designing
men and bring her up In INDEPENDENCE
such as i have enjoyed for twenty years.
1t Is therefore with diSmay that ! read of
that horrid haunted room. in which my
poor little chick might find herself any
time this summer, as she expects to do a
great deal of visiting. / think II is dread
fui that such place should exist in the
community. unbeknown to possible victims
trust you will tell me all about it-al-
though do not believe you should publish
1t In The Star, for that might attract some.
morbid women to the place who cannot get
a husband by fair means.
Having escaped thus far, my only object
In learning of the location of the place Is
to shield my sister. and trust you will in
form me as soon as possible OF all the
facts. Yours anxiously.
Here ia another communication:
Dear Mr.. Editor: For the sake Of a
grtefstricken mother who sees her only son
still unwed at the age of thirty, and man.
ifesting jeering attitude toward the holy
state of matrimony, beseech you to tell
me of the haunted house
am sure that John could easily find a
wife IL he would. In fact, IL would have
to be mighty superior girl who would be
good enough for my boy. Therefore, It is
certain that IL we only move him in
that direction he will get himself a good
wife.
1 think 1t would be a good Joke on John
too, to catch him with the haunted room
and am sure you will lend yourself TO
the harmless conspiracy by telling me all
you know about IT. Yours truly,
A s.