Year: 1866

people, they made up their minds to live in
the house at all events, the diableries of his
ghostship or phenomena to the contrary not
withstanding.


THE FIRST WEEK s EXPERIENCE


in their new quarters was a novel one. Pre-
yious to occupying the house they had treat
ed lightly the thousand and one stories that
had been circulated about the place but
their first nights experience led them to be-
heve that there was something more than
mortal agency at work in several of the un-
occupied rooms, and in proximity to the out
buildings. The first night the family slept
there mysterious manifestations were ex-
perienced be a lady who had occasion to stop
with them the first few days. Distinct raps
were heard in her room, the house creaked
as if laboring under strong wind, and sew
eral doors opening into her apartment were
found open in the morning although she had
taken the precaution to shut them before re-
firing. The next morning she asked the Ia
dy of the house if she had not ''heard some
body up stairs during the night. The peo-
pie in the house now began to believe there
was some truth in the stories, but did not
communicate their thoughts to the old lady,
who was all the time in state of ignorance
as to the cause of the noises. The next
night the manifestationswere more marked.
Tle raps were more distinct voices were
heard the light of candle was seen the
rustling of silk and the light foot fall as of a
woman passing along the entry, and other
decided manifestations of the supernatural
were noticed. These were the subject Of much
talk between the man and the wife. They
discussed the subject among themselves and
decided to keep awake the next night, and
hear the recurrence of the manifestations, and
if possible, detect the cause. If his ghostship
should appear, they would approach it,
touch it, converse with it, and ascertain his
history, where it came from, and what was
its mission. Accordingly, in the dead still
ness of the following night, in the fullness
Of the moon, the twain were started at sounds
from an adjoining room, as if some one we're
shoveling earth. The man leaped from his
bed passed into the room, but all was silent
&c NhC IOinO- uC oHOfCiAAS helA NCeAoCN1 O0S
the stillness-how deathly On another oc-
casion they were awakened from their slum-
bers by strange sounds proceeding from the
wood shed. Being a man of good nerve, he
crept softly down stairs, went into the kitch-
en-, and seating themselves, awaited events
But, instead of operations in the woodshed,
he heard footballs up stairs These, how
ever, become silent upon his wifes getting
up and looking about for the pedals carry
ing them. On other occasions light has
been distinctly seen, supported invisibly in
an adjoining roo N, the reflection Of which was
distinct and pleasant. Often at dead of night
the noise of carriage wheels is heard coming
up the gravelled walk toward the house, ac-
companied by a crack of a coachman' whip,
the whoa, to the horses, and the sound of
one alighting, followed by the latch key in
the door, the rafting and the bang in clos
ing and the hurried step in ascending the
stairs. The confused sound of voices in con-
versation then strikes upon the ear, but no
words can be distinguished. Hurrying feet
seem to traverse the hall and landing, lights
glisten, doors shut, even supernaturl laugh
ter arises-then all is silent These mani
festations occur by day as well as by night.
There is also a singularity about them which
is remarkable, to say the least They are
more numerous in full moon time during the
Spring of the year.


SPIRITS IN QUANTITIES.


The little girl, daughter of the tenants,
frequently comes down in the morning and
says, ooh, Mother, there were ever so man.
people in my room last night. l heard them
talking and laughing but l could not see any
body it was so dark" But so common have
become these singular delusions, or whatever
they may be termed, that in the family they
excite little if any attention.


THOU CONTEST IN SUCH QUESTIONABLE


SHAPE.


Upon one occasion the lady states that
alone in her room she suddenly experienced
an indescribable emotion, as of some mystic
rious presence. Distinctly, in few mo-
ments, she saw the dim figure of man near
the wall as it slowlyvanished from her sight
The form, features and attire being impress
ed upon her memory she described them to
one who had for many years been a servant
in the house in early times. This servant
recognized the exact description of his old
master The apparition has not since ap-
peared.


'sBoLD" INVESTIGATIONS.


Two well-known and highly influential
professional men slept in the house to hear
and account for the noise. They heard dis
tinctly, watched, examined, but could not
satisfy themselves as to the origin. Two Off
GERS also from Charlestown armed edthemselves
and resolved to unearth the spirits. They
passed a night in the noisest room, heard the
doors slam. the stems Mating on the stairs,