Year: 1873



 The Fem family were visited. Mrs Fem said she would not be afraid to stay there if MT. Fem only had bis eyrsight. But her husband was blind, and Byron only a boy, and even if there was nothing wrong about the house she did not care to live there and rear her children in a house where they were afraid to go up in the at tic or down cellar alone. She assured the reporter that she heard noises all the night they stayed in the house, and she did net feel able nor willing to investigate the causes Her children were frightened. and she could not convince him that he might be mistaken, while so many We're telling him tales about the house that corroborated his own impression. Moreover" she said, sI don't know but what it is all true, for not one of us could sleep for the no SC, and it was moonlight night and the wind was not blowing" Mir. Fenn was led into the room. He lost hls sight by an accident in smelling fur mace years ago. He said he wanted the TicknOr property. ''It was cheap at $3,- 800. In spite of the stories l had heard about the house being haunted moved in. Why did move in if wanted to break my contract? I could not stay by myself there, and nothing would do my wife and the children but mnst come back to town the next day after we moved in. l did hear noises, but of course l could not see ghost. When MT. Lee came up and began talking about going to law about it, l was determined never would take the place. don't say it's haunted, and I don't want to lniure his property, but cannot make my family live there, nor do 1 wish to make them"

 When the Fenns heard that the reporter intended to spend the night in the house they seemed to think it was a needless piece of foolhsrdiness. Judge Moore, one of the oldest inhabitants, was visited. He said with the greatest dignity that he thought there was nothing in the stories but a young man in his employment named Yorick and Yorick's wife offered to spend the night in the house with the reporter After a moments consideration the Offel was accepted. Judge Moore was gratifet at the arrangement, and becoming com municative told the reporter many interest ing facts about the early settlement of Sails bury.

 By nine that night the Yoricks were a the hotel to accompany the reporter to thu haunted house. By that time there wer' more recruits for the expedition than wa desirable. Even Ben Ball caught the in lection of bravery and curiosity. He wa a volunteer, without even the $5 Dribe Julia, the pretty housemsid of the hotel asked too to go, and she was accepted a one of the ghost party.

 Hen Ayres was rejected. Equipped will dark lantern, some matches, candles an' extra wraps, the party of five started off il light wagon for the house. When the arrived Ben Ball went to the neighbor' house for the keys while Yorick unhar messed the horse, turned it into the yard and cut up some old chestnut rails for fire, for the night was growing cold an the place was damp. By the time thes preparations had been made Ben Ball al rived with the keys. and with him was stout lad who begged to be one of tn ghost watchers. As he professed to be nc only believer in spooks, but said that h had actually ''seen spook in Henglane where he was born and brought up as farm laborer in w arwickshire," he was at cepted.

 The room in which Byron Fem had slel was selected by the reporter as the one fc the party to occupy but as there was n fireplace in it, and the air was damp as we as nipping cold, the one opposite was de cided to be the better point of observation From this room a view of the spook rool could be commanded, and also the staircas her ghostship was said to ascend ever night on her way to her favorite haunt. fire was kindled, some water drawn fro the we'll, and the party settled down to bu mess. The dark lantern was turned off, tallow candle lighted and placed in clos behind the door, and the talk for whi ran high. Yorick was like his ShAk' spearean namesake,a a fellow of infinite jes if not of most excellent fancy.

 The Englishman's stolid view of u question afforded Yorick good butt his humor. By and by the chestnut billie began to pop like pistols as they burne The Englishman smoked his pipe, and Yt ick piled him with questions.

 Yorick-Didn't you say you had seer ghost?

 Englishman-Yes. saw one in Ws wickshire before I ever came to this cou try. She was woman ghost, too. S used to come at 2 o'clock every evening to the garden where worked and 10 through the window of the kitchen wh took my beer and bread with the mait We all saw her. We were afraid to spe to her, but she came so often we got u! to her at last, and I used to walk out of

 kitchen through the garden and pass her on my way home without being afea at all.

 Yorick-Not afeared Now I'll bet , stopped and kissed her on the way hol I'd have done it if I'd been in your pla

 When our spook comes to night see don't catch her.

 Yorick's Wife-No you won't. Nc I'm here.

 Englishman-I never tried to kiss

 spook, she looked too serious; and

 wouldn't either; and if the Ticknor SD

 comes tonight you wont say word to

 never could to that one in Hengland.

 The popping of the chestnut fire evid

 ly affected the nerves of the girls and

 Ball. Yorick laughed at them, turned (

 on the floor, and seemed to be asleep.

 whole party became less lively as midn