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About The daily morning Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1883-1899 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 3, 1897)
THE DAILY AST0R1AN, Sl'NIUY MOHNINU HTOHKH H, 1 8l7. OUR BOYS THE STORY OF A HAUNTED HOUSE How Two Young People Caught the Ghost and What He as Like. "i " - he agent; "Hi In a gxxl neighborhood, ond you're felling It at almost nothing; but I think It right to tell you all about It You are orphan' you y, and with a mother dependent upon you? That make It all the more necessary that you should know. The fact la, the house la aald to ba haunted" The agent could not help smiling ha aald It, and he waa relleiwd, to tea an answering amlle on the two face before him. "Ah. you don't believe in ghosts'." ha went on; "nor do I. for that matter; but. aormhow, the reputation of the house keep ma from having a t scant lone at time. The place ought to rent for twice aa much as It doe." "If w succeed tn driving out the ghost. you will not raise, the rent?" asked the boy. with a merry twinkle in his eyes, 'Well, no not this year, at any rate,' laughed the agent; and so the bouse ma ranted; and the slip of a girl and the UK lad. her brother, went their way, Within a week the family had moved Into the bouse and were delighted with It It wa large and cool, with wide halls and line stairway: and with more room than they needed. But that did not matter in the least for they had always been cramped tn small houses. suffering many discomforts; and they never could have afforded such a place as this if It had not been "haunted.' "Blessings on tbe ghost-" cried Mar garet gaily, as she ran about as merry as a child. "Who would be without a ghost in the house, when it brings on like thur "And It Is so oer your school." said tbe mother; "and I used to worry so over that long walk; and now David can come home to lunch, and you don't know how nice that will be." "It seems to me." aid Davtd gravely "that if I should meet the ghost I would treat htm with the greatest politeness and encourage him to stay. We shaft not miss the room he takes, shall we? I think it would be well to set aside that room over yours, Margie, for his ghost ship's own, for we shall not need that you know. Besides, the door doesn't shut and he can gto tn and out without break ing -the lock.'- And then they all laughed and had a great deal of fun over the ghost which wu a great Joke to them. . They were very tired that night, and , slept sounOly all night long. When they met next morning, tber was more laugh ter about the ghost which wus shy about meeting strangers, perhaps, and had made no effort to introduce himself. For the next three days they were alt hard at work, trying to bring chaos Into something like order; and then It was time for school to open, and Margaret was to begin teaching, and Davtd In serted an advertisement in the city pa pers for a mall-of -all-work, who might help their mother In their absence. For one whole day prospective colored servant presented themselves and an bounced: "Is d:s de house where dey wants a work lady? No. ma'am. I ain' gwlne to ! work in dls bouse! Retch me workin' In j no ha'nted house!" After which they each and all de parted, and other came In their stead. Oie was secured after awhile, but no sooner had she talked across the fence with a neighbor's scrvan: than she, loo, departed. "Never mind, children," said Mrs.Cra'g, wearily. "I would much rather do the work than be troubled In this way." ' So the mald-of-all-work idea was dls . missed ard the Craig family locked the doors and went to their rooms wrn out with the day's anxieties. They had been In the house four days, and there had been neither sight cor sound of the ghost The very mtnilos of It was enough to start them .11 to laughing, for they were thoroughly practical people, with a fondne?s for l- quirlng into anything that eemed mys terious to them and for understanding It thoroughly before they let it g-J. David was soon sleeping the sound sleep of healthy boyhood and all wai silent In the house, when Margaret stole softly Into hlH room and touched his arm. He was not easy to waken and several min utes had elapsed before he sat up In bed wilh an Inarticulate murmur of urpr!se. "Hush," said Margaret In a whisper, with her hand on hlH Hps. "I want you to come Into my room and !U:en to a sound that I have been her-ing for som1! time." "Doors creaking," said Divid, an ht betran to dress. "Nothing of that kind," was all she said; and they softly stole Into the next room and listened. The chirping of an Insect In the trees outside waa the only sound they heard for so long a time that David was be ginning to think what a laugh he would have on his sietwr next day. Then all at once it started again. It was the sound of a chain, Onagginsr back and forth cross the floor of the room. Sometimes It was dragged slowly, sometimes rap. Idly; and sometimes It seemed to fall In heap. A strange sound it was in the middle of tbe night, when everything else was still. Even, the chirp In the trees had ceased; and nothing was now to be heard but that chain, dragging about the floor of the upper room. "We'll go and look tato It" said David softly, and in a moment ha had lighted a lamp and was leading the way. They walked up the Btalrway, and along the upper hall to tha door of the unused room. Something- was wrong with the lock, and tha door would not stay fJt tned, u I have said. Something that waa not fear thrilled AND GIRLS their hfarti us they pushed th door fur her ajar, and stood wher they could see every foot of the vacant room. Ona of their own boxen aloud tn the mlddlo of the room; but aside from that, nothing waa to ba aeon, and they looked at caoh other In sllenoe. "Hold the lamp a minute, Margie," David said, at hut, and h wont all ovar the room, and looked more particularly at tta emptiness, and mn felt It walls, 'Secret panels, you know," he aald. with a smile, but It was a puttied smll. Indeed. "I don't ee what it could have been." I Margaret said as they went 'wi the stairs. "No, I can't see, either, but I'm going- to see," said Davtd. "That waa a chain, and chains can1 drag themselves around. you know. A ghost could not lrag a I chain, If It were to try." "The conventional ghost very often drag chains." said Margaret, as she closed the door of her room. And then she lay awuke and listened for the conventional ghont that dragged a chain, but 11 aeemed that the weight of the chain must have wearied him, for he was not heard again. Tbe mother hod slept through It all, and next morning- they gave her a vivid account of the night's adventures. "Perhaps It was some on tn the house," she said In alarm. There were no ghosts within the bounds of possibility, so far as she waa concerned, but burglars were very possible Indeed. Then Margaret and David laughed more than ever. j "What fun it would be," said David, "for a burglar to get Into this house and try to find something worth carrying away. So tbey went on to the next night, all three fully determined to spend the night In listening for the ghest and running him to earth If posibie. But it was Margaret that heard th ghost after alt She had been sleeping, and was suddenly startled wide awak. and there, overhead, waa the sound of the chain dragging; and Just as she was was on the point of springing out of bed to call her brother, she chain seemed to go out of the room. She lay still and listened; and in a momrnt she heard It again. Il was coming down the stairs! There was no carpet on the stairs, and she could hear the chain drop from step to step, until it had come the whole way down. There is was, almost at the door of her room, and something that was strangely like feur kept her lying still. listening in horrified silence. Then it went along the hall, dragging close to the door; and then further away; and back and forth for awhile; and then it began dragging back up the stairs again. Step by step she could har It drawn over the edge of every step and by the time it had reached the top she remembered herself and called David. Again did the brother and sister make a tour of the upper room with the lamp. Not only that but they looked into every nook and corner of the upper part of the bouse, and at last came back baffled. Tbey had seen nothing extraordinary. and bad not heard a sound. "I'm going to see that ghost tonight," David said to his sister the next evening. "How?" "I'm going to sit up all night at the head of the stairs. Don't say anything olwut It to mother; it might make her uneasy." So, after the household were all quiet David slipped Into his place at the head of the stairs, and sat down to his vigil. He had placed a screen at the head of the stairway so that It hid him from rew as if a ghost cared for a screen and he established himself behind It and prepared to be as patient as he could. . U seemed to him that hour so long had never been devised as those the town clocks tolled off that night He bor It until midnight moderately well, because, be argued with himself, if the.-e were any ghosts about they would surely walk then; but they were not in j. humor for walking; and still the hours rolled on without any developments. He took tbe "fidgets,'- and bad nervous twitches all over him; and at last he could endure it no longer, and had leaned his head back ugainst the w&ll and was going blissfully to sleep when He heard a chain dragging Just beyond the open door of the unused room! In spite of himself a shiver ran down his back. There was no mistaking it; it was a real chain, if he had ever heard one. More than that, It had reft the room and was coming straight toward the stairs. The hall was dark, and it was impossible Ivr him to see anything, al though he MKiined his eyes In tbe direc tion of the sound. And even while he looked It had passed behind the screen, r.nd was going down the stairs, dropping from step to step with a clank. Half way down a narrow strip of moonlight from a sialr window lay di rectly across the steps. Whatever the thing was, It must pass through that patch of light; and David leaned forward and watched. Down It went step by step; and pres ently It had slipped through the light, ar-d then was down; and a little later It came bock again, through the light, and up the stairs, and back into the unused room. And then David slaped bis knees Jubi lantly, and ran down stairs to hi own room, and l all tbe rest of the night Next morning he was very mysterious about his discoveries of the night before. "Oh, yes, I saw the ghost" he said to Margie. "There, don't ask so many questions; I'll tell you more about It to morrow, maybe." And that was ell the Information she could get from him. It was provoking. That day Davtd made a purchase down town and brought home a bulky bundle, which he hid In his own room and would not let his sister even peep at "I'm going to try to catch the ghost tonight," he said, "and you know how ft is; If I bra too much beforehand. I shall be sure to fall." He was working with somethingg In the hall after the others had retired; but he did not' sit up this time. He went to bed, and, 'Margie listened at his door and found that he was soon asleep, liul away lit the night they wore all awakened by a squealing that brought them all Into the hall In a great hurry; and there, at the head of the stairs, they found th huge rt trap thatDavId had seta few hours before; andln the midst of the tolls was a rat. "Why. Dnvld," exclaimed his mother; "I didn't know that there were any rats in the house," And then, all at once, she saw that thoro was a long chain hanging from a little Iron collar around the creature s nock, and sle and Margaret cried to gether: 'And this was the ghost!" Such funny Whoet, when they came to think of It-thls poor rat, iih a nest In some hole of the broken chlnm y. Ho had been some ones' pot, o-iuv, per haps; and now, t!to households he had broken up, the nights N had dlmnrlwd. the wtM sensations he had created: It maid his cup tors In ugh to think that this Innocent crwtture had lwn the cause of the whole trouble. "I'll gvt a cage for him, and take wire of him for the rest of hi life," said lt1d. "We owe him so much that we con't afford to be ungrateful." The next morning he took the ghoat- In-a-cuge and showed him to the agent and gave him a vivid account of his capture. "So you have a good house for about half price, all on account of that rat!" exclaimed the agent Rrimly. "Young man but never mind, you dwrv It What are you working for now? Six dollars a wwk? If you ever want to change your place suppose you come round here. I think you need a business that will give you a chance to grow." And the agent and Davtd shook hands warmly over the capture of the "shosts. TO CCRS A COLD IN ONE DAY Take Laxative. Bromo Quinine Tablet. All druggist refund the money If It falls to cur; Sc. For sale by Charles Rogers. THAT RIDDLE. The following riddle from last Sunday's Astorian Is here repeated, with the un- swer given below: If of roan's thoughts I'm not a pwt And absent from his mind. Within the Intellect and heart, I dwell with all mankind. With friends in peace and foes In strife I'm ever to be found. While, clinging to the last In life. To death I'm also bound. Earth claims me first, although In heaven: I'm centered In th deep. While, In mldocean tempest driven. You'll find me wrapt In slevp. I'm part of every racing steed, And In his swiftest pace, Yet. strange to say, whate'er his spetd, I'm last in every race. With numbers, when I masquerade, I count two-fifths of seven; Three times repeated, and I'm made To stand for half eleven. If In cen times I'm only twice. What may seem more absurd Is that in twice ten I'm only once. And of one I'm 'but one-thlrJ. The answer Is the letter "K." To heal the broken and diseased tissues, to soothe the Irritated surfaces, to In stantly relieve and to permanently cure Is the mission of DeWltt s Witch Haxel Salve. Charles Rogers. SEASIDE. F. F. Kendall and family have also closed their cottace. Plenty of salmon trout are still leirn caught In the Necanlcum. Mrs. C. W. Knowles has made some Improvements to her cottage. Judge T. A. McBride put in Sunday last fishing and caught a fine string of trout W. H. Morrow and family, of the Port land metal (works are occupying the Morgan cottage. Mr. M. J. Gust Is laying the foundation for a new building on the north side of the shell road. John Garner vran In town on Thursday last. His mother is stopping at Mrs. Gnodell's for a week. Improvements are ntlll going on. Mr A. Gilbert's new building Is fast ap- prouhclng completion. Brenham Van Duzn and family, who spent two weeks on the beach, return- to Astoria on Saturday last. D. N. Trullinger and bride have re turned from their wedding trip and take up their residence In Mrs. Austin's cot tage. Prof. John McCue, of Astoria, In charge of the Seaside school, opened the same on Monday last with a good enrollment of pupils. G. C. Crawford, assistant keeper of Til lamook Rock light, and wife, who spent their honeymoon here, have returned to Portland. P. J. Colban, who during the summer worked for Mr. Johannsen, will on the first of October take charge of Mr. Lo gan's store. Surveyor Helekman and Viewers J. C. Adams and F. Warren left on Tuesday to survey the new road to Elk Creek by way of the Necanlcum. Judge Jerome Dillon, who has bei manager of the Holladay property for a good many years, will leave for the Alaska country In a short time. J. H. Johannsen on Wednesday last sold to Superior Sister Baptists of Port land, a fine lot In Ilrrmosa Park. The sisters Intend building In the near future. F, K, Warner, who some time ego sold out his merchandise buslnis to Mr. la). gun, will shortly leave Seaside and In the spring of next year will go to Klon dike. Airs. C. W. Knowtei Is still In her collage. She has boon entertaining her sister, Mrs, O, Thomcs, of Sn Francisco, and Mrs. Snmiwon, of Portland, during the week. A. K. PiKterlleld and family, of IVrt laud, who generally are the last to leave the beach, departed on Thursday for Astoria, where they took the steamer for Sxm Francisco. The season of 1SJ7 has chwed for good and the rainy season (which, maki this plu -o quite a entrust to what people know It to tv In summer has set In. A few cottages are still occupied. lioad Supervisor Dillon reports the work on the upper Neh.ilem road (Which connects with the 'llllanuvk roud) all finished. An eight foot wide road has lxon slashed and the logs rolled out of the way. Manager Johnson, of W. I. T. Co., sent Sunday hwt on Mi beach, lie would like to see the telegraph office continued, which would be of great ben etlt to iho people lure. It Is to be hoped that somoxarrungement can be made by which the office will te kept open sum mer and winter. It would seem that the railroad company has hud sufficient butt. ncs to continue an agency here. CKOl'P yi'lCKLY ITRKD. Mountain Glen. Ark. Our children were suffering with croup when w received a bottle of Chamberlain's Cough Rmedy. It afforded almost Instant relief. F. A. Thornton. This celebrated remedy It for sale by Estcs-Conn Drug Co, WAKKEXTOX. Sam Harris wna a visitor In town on Friday. Miss Maude Warren Is absent on t to Portland. Mr. ond Mr. Iierj Hill visited Warren ton last w-.-k. I Mr. F. W. Preston killed a sea lion j In Skipanon cri-k on Frl.lay. Mrs. Rrure. of Sexunlde, Is In town, the guest of Mrs. J. M. Carver. Thvre was held a meeting of the War- renton AthMIe Club Saturday evening. Mr. ami Mrs. P. J. Colton have estab. Ilshed themeslves In their new rwtdunce. Miss Daisy Doun has gone to Astoria to eng-axe In the dress making business with Miss Grandee. Mrs. S,-ott and the Misses Scott have p-turned to their horn after a short visit with Mrs. 0. P. Graham. Mr. John F. Wilson who has teen at Warrenton during- the past month, talis on the Glenlochy to Vladlvoatock. Mrs. C. P. I'pshur and other holy friends of Mrs. Craln were visiting that lady on day during the past week. The "lilcycllst'k Best Friend" Is a fa miliar name for DvWItfs Witch Hiiiel halve, always ready for emtrgenchs While a specific for piles, it also In- stantly relieves and cure cuts, bruises, ' salt rheum, eczema and alt affections of the skin. It never falls. Charles Roger j NO HILLS TO CLIMB IN SUNNYMEAD The surface of the whole tract is absolutely level, and there U no grading to he done before a lot is in readiness for building. Convenient to Astoria by motor or regular passenger trains on the' Aftoiia fc Columbia River Railway.it makes a most desirable place for a home. Property is chenp, considering the choice location, and the surroundings) are both healthy and pleasant. One can reach Sunnymead from the Astoria depot in 15 minutes time by motor and the fare is no reasonable that it makes it possible to live IN BEAUTIFUL NisiissiisiMiiiiiiiiissiiiiiiiiisiiiiiiiiatistNiiisssssiisssifiisssssssssisMissssaMSMsssmssnsHsisssiiHaMaiiMMiiMiiiaiissii, SUNNYMEAD and do business in Astoria. The plat u well watered by fresh wter streams and the main streets are now being laid with wooden pavement. A neat little depot is located on the property, where all traiDg stop. ' , For the next few days t limited number of lots will be placed on the market at a reduced price, and the terms of sale made so easy that they are within the reach of all. , For particulars call on or address JOHN ADAIR, See the ABtoria Land & Investment Company's Warrenton Warrenton The coming great railroad and ship ping center of the Pacific Northwest Warronton ami Second Extension to Warrenton, ns P. K Warren I'ontains the finest busincwu property on the West Siile. HA DOLLAR D. Warrenton, INVESTED In Warrenton meuiw a Riif ami For information atMref.s or call K. WARREN luul out niitl rrconlrtl ly nnl resilience quick return on the investiuriit on Oregon Astoria, Oregon Ad (i rtisenient