THE HAUNTED HOUSE, OR BEAUTIFUL APPARITION. A young gentleman going down from London to the west of England to the house of a worthy gentleman, to whom he had the honor to be related; it happened the gentleman's house at that time was full, by reason of a kinswoman's wedding that had lately been kept there; he therefore told the young gentleman, that he was very glad to see him, and that he was very welcome to him; but, said he, I know not how I shall do for a lodging for you; for my cousin's marriage has not left a room free, but one, and that is haunted; you shall have a very good bed, and all other accommodations. Sir, replied the young gentleman, you will very much oblige me, in letting me be there, for I have often coveted to be in a place that was haunted. The gentleman, very glad that his kinsman was so well pleased with his accommodation, ordered the chamber to be got ready, and a good fire to be made in it, it being winter time. When bed time came, the young gentleman was conducted up into his chamber, which, beside a good fire, was furnished with all suitable accommodations; and having recommended himself to the divine protection, he goes to bed, where having kept some time awake, and finding no disturbance, he fell asleep; out of which he was waked, about three o'clock in the morning, by the opening of the chamber door, and the coming in of something in the appearance of a young woman, having a nightdress on her head, and only her shift on; but he had no perfect view of her, for his candle was burnt out. And though there was a fire in the room, yet it gave not light enough to see her distinctly. But this unknown visitant going to the chimney, took the poker and stirred up the fire, by the flaming light whereof, he could discern the appearance of a young gentlewoman more distinctly; but whether it was flesh or blood, or an airy phantom, he knew not. This lovely appearance having stood some time before the fire; as if to warm her, at last walked two or three times about the room, and came to the bed side, where having stood a little while, she took up the bed clothes and went into bed, pulling the bedclothes upon her again, and lay very quietly. The young gentleman was a little startled at this unknown bedfellow, and upon her approach, lay on the further side of the bed, not knowing whether he had best rise or not. At last, lying very still, he perceived his bedfellow to breathe, by which, guessing her to be flesh and blood, he drew nearer to her, and, taking her by the hand, found it warm, and that it was no airy phantom, but substantial flesh and blood; and finding she had a ring on her finger, he took it off unperceived; the gentlewoman being all this while asleep, he let her lie without disturbing her, she flung off the bedclothes again, and getting up, walked three or four times about the room, as she had done before: and then standing sometime before the door, opened it, went out; and shut it after her. The young gentleman, perceiving by this in what manner the room was haunted, rose up and locked the door on the inside, and then lay down again, and slept till morning; at which time the master of the house came to him to know how he did, and whether he had seen any thing or not? He told him, there was an apparition appeared to him, but begged the favor of him, that he would not urge him to say any thing further, till the whole family were all together. The gentleman complied with his request, telling him, as long as he was well, he was very well satisfied. The desire the whole family had to know the issue of this affair, made them dress with more expedition than usual; so that there was a general assembly of the gentlemen and ladies before eleven o'clock, not one of them being willing to appear in her dishabille. When they were all got together in the great hall, the young gentleman told them that he had one favor to desire of the ladies before he could say any thing, and that was, to know whether any of them had lost a ring? The young gentlewoman from whose finger it was taken, having missed it all the morning, and not knowing how she lost it, was glad to hear of it again, and readily owned she wanted a ring, but whether lost or mislaid, she knew not. The young gentleman asked her if that was it, giving it into her hand, which she acknowledged to be hers, and thanking her he turned to the master of the house; Now, Sir,' said he, 'I can assure you,' taking the gentlewoman by the hand, 'this is the lovely spirit by which your chamber is haunted.' And thereupon repeated what is related. I want words to express the confusion the young gentlewoman seemed to be in at this relation, who declared herself perfectly ignorant of all that he had said; but believed it might be so, because of the ring, which she perfectly well remembered she had on when she went to bed, and knew not how she had lost it. This relation gave the whole company a great deal of diversion; for, after all, the father declared that since his daughter had already gone to bed to his kinsman it should be his fault if he did not go to bed to his daughter, he being willing to bestow her upon him, and give her a good portion this generous offer was so advantageous to the young gentleman, that he could by no means refuse it; and his late bedfellow hearing what her father had said, was easily prevailed upon to accept him for her husband. Three inhabitants of Balck traveled together. They found a treasure, and they divided it equally amongst them. They continued their journey, and entertained each other with their different schemes of employing the riches they had so suddenly acquired. The provisions they had along with them were consumed: They therefore agreed that one of them should go to a neigboring town and buy some, and that the youngest should execute the commission. He accordingly went. As he was upon the road he said to himself, 'Now indeed I am rich; but I should have been richer, had I been alone when the treasure was found. These two men carried off two thirds of my riches.-Cannot I fall upon a way of recovering them?-That I think may be very easy.-1 have only to poison the provision which I am going to buy, and on my return to say that I have dined in town. My companions will eat without suspicion, and die. I have at present but one third of the treasure; I shall thus have the whole of it.' In the mean time the other two travelers |