HAUNTED HOUSE. 171 



dium-of ghosts, or the devil ! ! ! Well, sir ! she has 

 never kept her bed one second, except, when she 

 brought forth young defenders to our common country, 

 and that I do not believe was or had been caused by 

 the interference of any diabolical agencies. .. .unless 

 .... I .... O ! God have pity for us ! 



This first visitor went away in a very bad humor, 

 partially, because he really wanted the place and that 

 my railleries had not convinced him but half, if any at 

 all. One thing certain he did not buy it, and ulti- 

 mately I was punished by the proprietor blaming me 

 for having spread the report of the place being holy- 

 ghosted in order to prevent him selling it. If you 

 have read the story understandingly you may judge ! 

 Yet later I had to pay a forced fine for it, you shall see. 

 Shortly after the visit of that innocent man, another 

 came from Troy, equally a wide-awake one, judging 

 from the appearance, but he did not listen to my jest- 

 ings as patiently as the former, and he abruptly made 

 his exit, from a few words he was grumbling as he 

 walked away, I supposed he did not like my sarcasms, 

 but I think he had as much faith as the former, and 

 both must have come to the conclusion that my in- 

 credulity was interested, that I did not want the house 

 should be sold, for if it had according to my agree- 

 ment I would have had to give up the house and gar- 



