Year: 1865

a
lamp in one hard and bunch OF keys IN
the ether-this unpleasant visitor was seen
by variety of travellers passing along the
corridor.


Nothing would satisfy the neighbors that
an unfortunate traveller had not been al
some period or other despatched in that ia
tai room by one of the previous landlords
OF the house; The hotel gradually obtained
the name of the 'sHauned Inn," and ceased
to be !requenled by its old patrons.


The landlord finding himself on the brink
of ruia, determined to sleep in the haunted
lessness of the story. To make the matter
more sure. as be said, he caused the hosller
20 bear him company on pretence OF requIr-
ing a witness to the absurdity of the report;
bnt in reality, from cowardice. Al dead OF
night. however, just as the two men were
composing themselves to sleep in one bed
leaving another which was in the room
untenanied-the door few open and in gil
ded the spectre.


Without pausing 10 ascertain what il might
attempt on approaching the bed-towards
which it directed its course--ihe two men
rushed naked out of the room ard by the
alarm they created, confirmed more fully
than ever The evil repute of the house.


Unable longer to sustain the cost OF so
unproduclive an establishment, The poor
landlord advertised for sale the house in
which be and his father before him were
born and had passed their lives. But bid
ders were as scarce as customers the inE
remained for sale for nearly year, during
which, from time 10 time, the spectre re-
appeared


At length an officer Of the garrison, who
had formerly frequented the house, moved
TO compassion in favor OF the poor host, IN
der,ook 10 clear up the mystery by sleeping
in the aforesaid chamber; nothing doubted
that The whole was trick OF some envious
neishbor, desirous OF deleriorating the value
of the freehold in order 10 become a pur-
chaser.


His offer having been gratefully accepted
the captain took up his headquarters in the
fatal room, with a bottle of wine and
brace of loaded pistols On the table before
him, determined to fire al whatever object
might enler The room.


AT the usual hour of midnight, accord
ingly, when the door flew open and the
white spectre, bearing lamp and bunch
of keys, made lis appearance, he seized
both his pistols, when fortunately. as his
finger was upon the point OF touching the
trigger, he perceived thai the apParilion
was no other than the daughter OF his host,
a young and pretty girl, evidently walking
in her sleep. Preserving the sirictest 81
leuce, lie watched her set down the lamp,
place her keys carefully on the chimney
place and retire TO the opposite bed, which,
as it afterwards proved, she had occupied
during the lifetime OF her late mother, who
slept in The room.


No sooner had she thoroughly composed
herself, than the officer, after locking The
door of the room, went in search of her
father and several competent witnesses, in
Guiding he waller baI:f of the district, who
had been one of the loudest in circulating
the rumors Iconcerning the Haunted Inn.
The poor girl was found quietly asleep in
bed and her terror on awaking 10 the dread
fol chamber afforded Sufficient evidence TO
all present of the state of somnambulism in
which she had been entranc ed.


From that period the spectre was seen
no more, probably because the landlords
daughter removed shortly aiterward 20
home of her own; and the tales OF horror
SO freely crcula ted TO the bewilderment OF
the poor neighbors, ended in the simple
story OF young girl walking iE her sleep.