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Page 23
While we were at breakfast the other morning, papa showed mamma an
advertisement in the "Times" newspaper, remarking, at the same time,
that it appeared just the thing he had long wanted; and that he would
go to the Solicitor's and make enquiries, and if it seemed still
eligible, would go immediately and see about it. Upon asking what it
was;
I was told it was an estate in South Wales to be disposed of; on which
was a large commodious dwelling house, which at a trifling expence,
might be converted into a family mansion. It commanded, the paper
said, a picturesque view, with plenty of shooting and fishing.--It
further stated, that on one part of the grounds, were the ruins of a
castle, and a great deal more, in its favor, but you know the glowing
descriptions with which these great London auctioneers always set off
any property they have to dispose of.
Papa had every reason to be satisfied, that it was what he desired; so
it was settled he should start by railway that very evening. And you
may judge how delighted I was when he asked if I should like to
accompany him. You may be sure I did not refuse; so we got ready, and
started by the eight o'clock train.
We travelled all night and arrived at our destination about four next
day. Papa thought I should sleep during the night, but I found it
impossible, for a gentleman, whom we met in the cars, knew the place,
and said so much in favour of it, that I could think of nothing else,
but he admitted there was a drawback, and that a great prejudice
existed against it, which caused no little difficulty in the disposal
of. It was reported to be haunted, and one or two people, who had
bought it, had actually paid money to get off the bargain. Of course,
hearing this, my mind dwelt much on it, though I said nothing, lest I
might be suspected of being afraid. Now, you know, it is not a little,
frightens me at school, but I was greatly puzzled at all I heard, and
determined I would rally my courage. After dinner, we strolled out to
take a look at the proposed purchase. Papa was very much pleased with
all he saw. House, grounds, and prospect were, he said, all he could
wish, and not even the report of a ghost, did he consider, any
disadvantage, but quite the contrary, as he certainly would never else
be able to buy it for double the sum they now asked for it.
By the time we got back to the inn, Mrs. Davis, our landlady, had
learnt the purport of our visit, and we, consequently, found her in
great consternation. We had hardly entered, than she exclaimed:--
"Why surely, Sir, you are not going to buy Castle Hill? Why it is
haunted, as sure as my name is Peggy Davis!"
"Well, my dear madam," said Papa, "haunted or not, such is my present
intention."
"Why, sir, nobody can live there. Don't you know there's a ghost seen
there every night."
"Oh," replied papa, "we shall soon, I think, send the ghost off
packing."
"Send a ghost off packing! really, sir, you must pardon me, but you
are a strange gentleman. Dear! dear! why do you know that four or five
have tried to live there and couldn't, for the ghost wouldn't let 'em.
You may laugh, but it's a real truth, that it drove every mother's son
away; yes not one of them could stay."
"Well, my good Mrs. Davis, we shall soon see whether I can or not; at
any rate I shall try."
"Well you certainly are a stout-hearted gentleman, and you must please
remember, whatever comes of it, I warned you. Why, there was James
Reece, a bold reckless fellow and a very wicked one into the bargain,
who feared nothing nor nobody, agreed, for five pounds to stay the
night, and was never heard of any more, and some go so far as to say,
his ghost has been seen alongside the others once or twice."
"The others," repeated papa, "why you don't mean to say there is more
than one?"
"Yes, sure sir, two or three; but 'tis no use telling you, for I
really think you are unbelieving as a Jew," and away trotted the old
dame, talking to herself as fast as she chatted to papa.
The next morning, after another ineffectual effort from Mrs. Davis, to
persuade him to give it up, papa went and concluded, what appeared to
him, an excellent bargain, with the lawyer, who was too anxious to
serve his employer, not to try and make light of the reports, and not
only this, but to fix papa so, that he could not possibly retract.
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