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were tried at Lancaster for the murder, and acquitted, lived in 

 Clitheroe for many years afterwards. Notwithstanding the ver- 

 dict of the jury, he was always suspected of having been one of 

 the murderers ; and it was said that he constantly kept one of 

 his fingers wrapped round with a rag, because during the death- 

 struggle it had got into Battersby's mouth, who bit it, causing a 

 wound which would never heal up, and which every March fair 

 day commenced bleeding afresh. One of the incidents of this 

 story reminds us of the persistence of Eizzio's blood stains at 

 Holyrood. Such behefs were probably prompted by the same 

 feehngs which trial by ordeal originated, viz. that Providence 

 would directly interfere to manifest innocence, or declare guilt. 



Haunted Houses. 

 These are common enough in every district. There are several 

 to be met with at Clitheroe. One is Well Hall, the present 

 residence of the Master of Clitheroe Grammar School. A lady, 

 whose family resided in this house for several generations, has 

 told the writer several wonderful stories on the subject. Her 

 mother's grandmother could see the boggart, and of an evening 

 when she had done her work, she used to sweep up the hearth, 

 and then sit on one side of the fire, while the boggart took a 

 chair on the other, and they used " to camp one another." 

 During the night the boggart was often heard about the house... 

 now working the spinning wheels, and now moving heavy pieces 

 of furniture about ; and sometimes it used to amuse itself by 

 pulling the bed clothes off people. My informant said it would 

 never do harm to anyone if you did not speak "presumptuously" 

 about it. Her mother's uncle once spoke " evil words " of it, 

 and it " made him fast " to the wall in the yard all night, tni 

 someone came und released him in the morning. Sometimes 

 this boggart, or else another, appeared as a woman, flitting 

 about the house, with a child walking by her side, having its 

 hand resting on her arm. Soon after the Rev. Mr. Allen, (a 

 former Grammar School Master,) went to live at Well Hall, one 

 of the servants alleged she met this lady and child in the passage, 

 which frightened her so, that she let the tea-tray she was carry- 

 ing fall to the floor. 



There is a house near Edisford Bridge which is also haunted. 

 In some of the rooms it is said that the doors cannot be kept 

 fastened, and that if they are shut at night they will be found 

 wide open in the morning. The furniture is also moved about 

 in the night, and particularly the chairs ; for however they may 

 be placed, they will be found in a different position next day. 

 Beyond this, at a certain time of the year in one room, it is 

 impossible to keep a candle burning, for as soon as it is hghted 

 it is extinguished by invisible hands. Children's cries are often 



