The Argosy — page 59: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Argosy UNEXPLAINED. BY LETITA MCCLINTOCK. “All ghost stories may be explained,” said Mrs. Marchmont, smiling rather scornfully, and addressing a large circle of friends and neighbours who, one Christmas evening, were seated round her hospitable hearth. “Ah! you think so? Pardon me, if I cannot agree with you,” said Mr. Henniker, a well—known Dublin barrister, of burly frame and jovial countenance, famed for his wit and flow of anecdote. The ladies of the party uttered exclamations in various keys, while the men looked attentive and interested. All that Mr. Henniker pleased to say was wont to command attention, in Dublin at least. “So you think all ghost stories may be explained? What would Mrs. Marchmont say to our old woman in the black bonnet, Angela?” And the barrister turned to his quiet little wife, who rarely opened her lips. She was eager enough now. “IT wish I could quite forget that old woman, John, dear,” she said, with a shiver. “Won't you tell us, dear Mrs. Henniker? Please—please do!” cried the ladies in chorus. “Nay; John must tell that tale,” said the wife, shrinking into herself, as it were. No one knew how it happened that the conversation had turned upon mesmerism, spiritualism and other themes trenching upon the supernatural. Perhaps the season, suggesting old—fashioned tales, had something to do with it; or maybe the whistling wind, mingling with the pattering of hail and rattle of cab—wheels, led the mind to brood over uncanny legends. Anyhow, all the company spoke of ghosts: some to mock, others to speculate; and here was the witty lawyer prepared to tell a grave tale of his own experience. His jovial face grew stern. Like the Ancient Mariner, he addressed himself to one in company, but all were silent and attentive. “You say all ghost stories may be explained, Mrs. Marchmont. So would I have said a year ago; but since we last met at your hospitable fireside, my wife and I have gone through a very astonishing experience. We ‘can a tale unfold.’ No man was better inclined to laugh at ghost stories than I. * ok OK OK OK “Well, to begin my true tale. We wished for a complete change of scene last February, and Angela thought she would like to reside in the same county as her sisters and cousins and aunts—’” “Dorsetshire, I believe, Mrs. Henniker?” interrupted the lady of the house. Angela nodded. “T intended to take a house for my family, leave them comfortably settled in it, and run backwards and forwards between Dorsetshire and Dublin. Well, it so happened that I did leave them for a single day during the three months of my tenancy of the Hall. I had seen a wonderful advertisement of a spacious dwelling—house, with offices, gardens, pleasure grounds—to be had for fifty pounds per annum. I went to the agent to make inquiries. “Is this flourishing advertisement correct?’ asked I. ‘Perfectly.’ “What! so many advantages are to be had for fifty pounds a year?’ “Most certainly. I advise you to go and see for yourself.’ “T took the agent's advice, and Angela was enchanted with the description I was able to give her on my return. A charming little park, beautifully planted with rare shrubs and trees—a bowery, secluded spot, so shut in by noble elms as to seem remote from the world. The house—such a mansion as in Ireland would be called Manor-house or Castle—large, lofty rooms thoroughly furnished, every modern improvement. My wife, as surprised as myself that a place of the kind should be going for a mere song, begged me to see the agent again, and close with him. It was done at once. I would have taken the Hall for a year, but Mr. Harold advised me not to do so. "Take it by the quarter, or at longest by the half—year,' he recommended. “T replied that it appeared such a desirable bargain that I wished to take it by the year. His answer to this was a reiteration of his first advice. I can't tell you how he influenced me, for he really said no more than I tell you; but I yielded to his evident wish without knowing why I did so, and I closed with him for six months, not o/ GOMMGIOOKSEHEO