Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-21

never depict my consterna ton as I saw
this. The stain Increased in size and
Brightness There lay at my feet a pool
of warm. red blood.
For some time there had been silence,
but now the knocking was resumed. first
at one door and then at the other. sank
into chair. completely exhausted. Great
beads of perspiration gathered on my
brow. AS l looked a my vlsage IN
small hand-rlirror, I found 1t pallid and
the eyes wild with terror. What should I
do? The doors seemed an effective bar
rier to the ghost Yet as I realized It's
superhuman power, it seemed unusual.
Even though the spirit could not get at
me, could / endure the strain of night
locked in that room, with the sparkling
pool OF red staring me in the face and the
uneanny enemy seeking admission at the
doors. Oh. that my wife and servants
were with me. With them as company, we
could endure the nights dreary vigil And
long ere this I had resolved that we
should move away from Cedar Grove at
the break of day. We should not spend
another night on the haunted premises. l
bitterly cursed my folly for not having
looked into the cause of the owners anA-
iety to sell.
There was hanging on the wall pic
ture Of the murdered Judge We bought
the house furnished. Some things we re-
moved. others of more value we retained.
The painting of the judge was among the
latter At first we intended to remove IL,
but as we knew nothing of the tragedy
and the face seemed such q noble look
ing one. we decided to let it remain hang
ing in the library. I turned in my chair
to look at it. A great lump rose III my
throat and I felt that [ must scream
aloud; the picture was swinging gently
to and fro on the wall. as the pendulum
OF O. great clock. A look of pain and
suffering was on the face, and the hair
and beard were stained and matted with
blood.
sprang from my chair and paced wild
ly I'D and down the floor. Then a scheme
flashed through my fevered mind-a
scheme to get away from the room and
upstairs without the grim lntruder,s
knowledge. 1 would stand near the front
door; fire my pistol three or four times
into the floor This would engage his at
tention there; then l could thro" open
the rear door, lock it after me, and steal
upstairs to our room. This would leave
my enemy watching at the library all
night, while wife and were locked safe-
Iy in the room above.
To think was TO act. I drew my re-
volver from my pocket stood near the
door and called aloud to let the ghost
know I was there, then fired four bull
lets into the floor. Without losing a sec
ond. sprang to the other door, turned
the key and threw open the door.
Great Cod I shrieked. my eyes bulS-
ing from their sockets. Imagine my ter
ror. dear reader, as | found myself con-
fronted by none other than Judge Cooke
His image so impressed itself on my mem
DRY that 1 shall never forget it. He was
attired in flock trousers with a dark srnok-
ing Jacket. His long white beard and
hair were red and matted with blood;
look of pain and anger was on his face.
I retreated to the center OF the room,
but he followed me, stretching forth his
thin arms toward me and chattering
something which in my fright could not
understand. My terror gave me strength.
I clutched at and got firm grip on his
throat His icy fingers in turn got
firm hold on my neck. A severe. but short
struggle ensued. I felt my breath leave
me and my senses reel as his hold tight
ened. staggered and fell unconscious in
his arms and was lifted and carried
knew not where by the ghost OF Cedar
Grove.
opened my eyes to find myself in my
own bed with the sunshine beaning In
the windows. My darling wife was sitting
by my side The scenes of the night dash
ed through my feyered brain.
Where is he, Neliie?"
.'Who?"
The ghost.
."rhe ghost. There is no ghost
But say there is and we must leave
here at once
Bob, dear, do be quiet. There is Moth
ing TO fear; you drank to excess and the
doctor who has just left says that in your
nervous condition it caused a severe case
OF delerium tremens.''
''Then there is no ghost?"
NO"
How came I here?
Last night, about 1880. I heard you
making a great noise. l went down and
called to you. You shouted: Go away.
Judge Cooke I tried to enter and found
the door locked. I went for the coach
man, but 1t was sometime before could
get him. I went to one door and he to
the other. Just then I heard the report
OF the pistol, and thinking you had shot
yourself, tainted. The coachman says
that Just as he got to the door, you threw
it open. You fought him. and to save
hfu,self he afrane{Ad Won and hro,0ht