Haunted Houses.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 5091, 29 September 1891, Page 4

Haunted Houses.

An artist living in London received an invitation from a friend to join him on a shooting expedition he had taken in Inverness. They stayed at the house of a well-to-do farmer, who one evening mentioned in conversation that his pleasant home had come to him in a somewhat singular manner. Twenty years ago the place was owned by a relative, a steady, industrious man, who, unmarried, resided here with a younger brother, who was inclined to be somewhat wild. As time passed on this young man became more dissipated in his habits, and was a source of anxiety to his brother, who, at length, persuaded him to emigrate to America, he providing the necessary funds. His passage was taken, and the evening before the day fixed for his departure lie was met by an acquaintance, who rallied him on his downcast looks. To him the young fellow observed that he disliked the idea of going to America, but added that he supposed he should have to go. Very early 011 the following morning, a shepherd employed by brothers, chancing to look towards a high cliff in the vicinity, saw against the skyline the figure of a man. For a few seconds it stood, then, throwing up its arms, leaped forwards over the precipice. The shepherd gave the alarm, and the mangled body of the younger brother was discovered at the botton of the cliff. The inquest which was held, terminated in a verdict of suicide. The strangest part of the affair, however, was that from the night preceeding the tragedy, the elder brother mysteriously disappeared. At first it was thought that, unhinged by the terrible mode of his brother's death, he was keeping out of the way to avoid giving evidence ; but as a long time elapsed and he did not return, he was advertised for in various papers, British and Colonial; detectives were employed, and every means used for his discovery, but without success. Being the next of kin, the present occupier took possession of the place till such time, at least, as the owner should return. Notli ing, however, had since been heard of him. After a little further conversation the two sportsmen retired for the night, which was dark, the moon not being visible. After a time the artist fell asleep, and dreamed that 011 the wall opposite to his bed a considerable patch of light, like that of strong moonlight, appeared, and that in the centre he saw the skeleton of a man in a recumbent position, while at the feet was a piece of mortar upon which was some writing which he was unable to decipher. Awaking, the dreamer looked towards the wall, aiid saw, to his surprise a faint light, which gradually grew stronger. 'The moon is rising,' he thought ; ' What a fool I am to be so much impressed by a dream." But the moon was not rising, and in the increased light upon the wall he saw distinctly portrayed the skeleton figure of his dream, with the piece of mortar at the feet. Rising, he lit a candle, and the apparation having vanished, proceeded to examine the wall. At first he saw nothing unusual, but, tapping it, it seemed as if some cavity was behind it. By daylight he examined it again, and noticed that some of the. brickwork seemed to bulge outwards. At breakfast he related his strange vision to his friend and the farmer, who both laughed, and said he must have been suffering from nightmare. All outside examination of that part of the house, however, proved the wall to be about four feet thick, and as it was a wet morning, and they had nothing particular to do, the farmer proposed to prize out a brick. This was done, and Mr C , putting his hand into the hole, discovered a cavity containing something. More bricks were taken out, and ultimately the complete skeleton of a man, the feet resting on a piece of mortar, was discovered. The inference was that on the night before lie was to begin his journey to America, the younger brother had quarrelled with and killed the elder, that- he had concealed the body iu the wall, and afterwards, struck .vith remorse for what he had done, committed suicide by jumping over the crag.