
          924.

able to direct us.  His name was Ranney, Cap'n R. and he was camping
on a bluff overlooking the river, just a little north of the creek.  He had
been there two months, having been wrecked off the coast the latter part of
March (Mar 23(?)).  He and his wife had been on a cruise, starting from
Buffalo at the close of the Pan-American Fair, they had slowly made 
their way through the Erie Canal, Hudson River, [      ]canal, Delaware River
Chesapeake & Del. canal, Chesapeake Bay and the Patapsco, and were planning
to go to Richmond, when they were wrecked.  We learned that he was 56 yrs
old, was a native of Watertown, N.Y. and was now taking life easy.  He was on his way to the city to get
money.  He told us that the path had close to his tent and that 
we should stop to see his wife.  We found the road to the haunted
home without trouble, and in a short time  we were at the house.

What a picturesque house it <s>was</s> is, surrounded by beautiful trees!  The house
was about as wide as it was long, with long sloping roof projecting far over [out]
from the lower story, the (sketch of house).  It had quite a large fireplace.  Up-stairs was
right under the roof, but it was large & commodious and well-illuminated
by two large windows in each end.  As in all such houses, there was much
writing on the walls.  As we were standing in the door-way we saw a white man and
an old negro droving <s>pass</s> up the road, we stopped them and asked if this
was the haunted house.  We were told yes.  It was own by Mr. Chappell.  It was going
        