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"The quiet
of this village has been broken of late by the alleged nightly appearance of
a ghost. The principal victim and the one who seems to be the most troubled
is John Murray, who occupies a tenement in a block on State street. He is a
hard-working man, and is not at all particular about having his peaceful
slumbers, after a hard day's work, disturbed by mysterious happenings.
Of late a ghostly woman has made frequent visits to
his home, it is said. This ghost bursts open the doors, and, entertaining,
stands in the middle of the room. The very idea of a ghost was enough to
frighten the wits out of Murray. Before he had entirely recovered from his
fright the subject would disappear.
Mr. Murray has no recollection of having harmed in
any way any one of the fairer sex. Furthermore, he never evinced any desire
to become a Spiritualist, and, therefore, cannot understand why his rest
should be disturbed.
One evening not long since Mr. Murray sent his wife
out to spend the night, probably thinking that the ghostly woman had some
message to communicate in private. Still Murray was not courageous enough to
remain alone in the house, but sought the company of a few young men, each
determined to fathom this mystery if it took all night.
It is currently reported about the town that near
midnight Murray heard a slight noise, as if some one was ascending or
descending the stairs. The young men, for some reason or other, did not
accompany Mr. Murray to the seat of war, but, on the contrary, left for home
soon after midnight, having wished Mr. Murray pleasant dreams. Mr. Murray
sought consolation in the thought that the long night was half passed, and
was well satisfied that it was too late for any woman to be out.
Not long after the young men had left the house the
ghost appeared. She was immediately challenged by Murray, whose courage by
this time was above par. With the determination that it was as well "to be
killed outright as to be scared to death," he sought to unravel this
mystery. His efforts were useless, however, as the subject had skipped.
Of course now his friends are too willing to inform
him that ghosts had appeared in that house before he had become a resident
of Sandwich. The whole affair is causing considerable talk, and people are
anxious to know what it is if it isn't a ghost. |
