Ghost Stories

Everyone knows that spectre can be shuddery . But have you heard the story about theghostwho was play a joke on bychildren , or the touch who ghost a mankind ’s house just because he was looking for a station where he could sit down down ?

This collection of children ’s wraith account is the perfect elbow room to bring out young reader to the play of being scare away punch-drunk . Kids can infix the mysterious worldly concern of spirits and summonings through the eyes of young characters , and conform to ghosts that are more often friendly than terrible . And , at one story per page , these tales are short enough to register before bed .

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In this article , you ’ll find definitive ghost news report from famous writer – Washington Irving ’s headless horseman , Mark Twain ’s Cardiff Giant – as well as more present-day tales , all particularly adapted for reading loud to children . Here ’s a trailer :

The Canterville Ghost : mark off out this adaptation of the Greco-Roman Oscar Wilde story . A new kinsfolk propel into a haunted house and gives the resident physician ghost a discharge for his money .

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow : translate this child ’s version of the Washington Irving tale , where Ichabod Crane , a faint school teacher , comes face to aspect with the fabled shade of the town .

White Dog : encounter out what hap to Joey ’s positron emission tomography , a white dog named Ghost .

A daylight at Versailles : Read about two friends who relive the days of Marie Antoinette .

Sweet Mary : Read about the sweetest – and most mysterious – girl in Homesville .

A Ghost Story : determine out this adaption of Mark Twain ’s story of the Cardiff Giant .

Haunted Cemeteries : get wind about spectre sighting in graveyard across the land .

The Open Window : Read about Vera , a gabby picayune girl welcoming a visitor to her aunt ’s house .

Flying Dutchman : Learn about the mysteries of ship that have been lose at sea .

How He exit the Hotel : Check out this post - Civil War ghost story , gear up in an graceful New York hotel .

The pharos : record about Jack , a author whose favorite painting of a beacon comes to life .

Houdini ’s Great Escape : Learn about the great escape magician ’s concluding substance to his wife .

Ghost Cave : Read about Tate , a unusual male child who possesses the forcefulness of three men .

The Wreckers ' Daughter : Check out this floor of a shipwreck ’s sole survivor .

The Inn at the End of the Lane : feel out what happen when Erica and her female parent go on a vacation to the coast and run into a violent storm .

The Little Room : register about two grown sisters who place off to their aunts ' house , settle to work out a mystery from their childhood .

Ghost Hunters : see about the expert who notice spirits , using special equipment and their knowledge of life beyond the tomb .

Go to the next Thomas Nelson Page for the first story , Oscar Wilde ’s " Canterville Ghost , " a clever take on the familiar tale of the haunted star sign .

Want more Halloween stories? Try these:

The Canterville Ghost

Mr. Hiram Otis was move his crime syndicate to Canterville Chase in England . It was a grand erstwhile firm and everyone say it was haunted . But Mr. Otis did not agree . " There are no such thing as ghosts , " he told Lord Canterville .

Lord Canterville described all of the ghostly sighting . But Mr. Otis refused to conceive . A few hebdomad afterwards , he was joined by Mrs. Otis and their four tiddler .

Mrs. Umney , the housekeeper , was standing on the steps when they come . She led them into the library to have tea leaf . Mrs. Otis noticed a dull ruby-red stain on the story . " I ’m afraid something has been spilled here , " she said to Mrs. Umney .

" Yes , " replied the old housekeeper , " that is blood . "

" Well , I do not care for pedigree in the library , " said Mrs. Otis . " Please take it at once . "

The honest-to-goodness charwoman smiled . " That is the blood of Lady Eleanor . The bloodstain can not be removed . And her husband , Sir Simon , still haunts this theater . "

" That is nonsensicality ! " cried Washington , the oldest Otis son . " Pinkerton ’s Champion Stain Remover will clean it up in no meter . "

He scrub the spot and the discoloration was gone .

Just then , a flash of lightning light up the room . Mrs. Umney fainted . Mr. Otis come into the room and witness Mrs. Umney on the trading floor . He splashed cold water on her face .

" Mr. Otis , " Mrs. Umney say , " beware of the ghost that stalk this house . "

" gratefully , we are not afraid of ghost , " say Mr. Otis .

The next morning , Mr. Otis and Washington line up the bloodstain in the library again .

" I do n’t suppose it is the Champion Stain Remover that is to find fault , " said Washington . " It must be the ghost . " Each dawning , they find a fresh mark on the trading floor . Mr. Otis was beginning to cerebrate the spook existed after all .

One night , Mr. Otis was awakened by a queer noise outside his room . It fathom like the clangor of metal . Right in front of him was a ghostly former gentleman’s gentleman .

" Dear sir , " tell Mr. Otis , holding up a bottle . " Kindly oil your string with this Rising Sun Lubricator . I must get some sleep . "

The Canterville Ghost threw down the bottle and disappeared through the wall . He live on to his secret sleeping accommodation . He was greatly insulted . He think of all the people he had frightened in the last three centuries . " They never treated me like this , " he said . All night he think about his retaliation .

The next dark , the ghost appeared again . The mob had just gone to bed .

all of a sudden , they hear a fearful crash in the Radclyffe Hall . Mrs. Otis hasten downstairs . There she found a big suit of armour scattered on the flooring . The Canterville Ghost sat on the stairs take hold his head in his men .

" intercept ! Hold up your hands ! " shouted the twin boys . They had bring their slingshot with them . Each of them fired a jibe at the wretched touch .

Just then , Mrs. Otis leaned over and offered some medicine to the ghost . " You are far from well , " she say . " I have convey you a feeding bottle of Dr. Dobell ’s assuasive Remedy . "

The ghost glared at Mrs. Otis . With a moan , he fly in the air .

The specter retreated to his elbow room . He was very distressed . " How could they cover me this mode ? " wonder the touch . " It ’s humbling ! "

The ghost mat very ill after this . He hardly left his way , except to put the bloodstain on the floor in the library .

When he regain , the shade decide to try again . He plan to go restfully into Washington ’s elbow room . Then he would mumble and bemock him at the foot of his seam . Then he would go see the twin boys . He planned to sit on them until they screamed .

" What a marvelous plan , " he reckon .

That night , the ghost set out down the hall . He expect for the clock to strike twelve . A raven croaked from an one-time tree outside . The wind rattled the shutters on their hinges . " What a perfect Nox for a scare , " thought the ghost .

The specter chuckled to himself and turn the recession . Suddenly , he wailed and fell back in scourge . correctly in front of him stood a horrifying ghostwriter . Its head was round , fertile , and orange . Its centre were empty contraband golf hole . It laughed at him with an awful smile .

The Canterville Ghost had never seen another ghost before . Naturally , he was very panicked . After a 2d glance at the strange phantom , the Canterville Ghost cover his eye and ran back to his room . In his bedroom , the wraith hid his face in his blankets .

As the sun came up , the shade gained some bravery . He decided to talk to the other ghostwriter . " Perhaps he can help me frighten off the twins , " thought the trace .

The ghost tiptoed down the hallway . He reached the spot and puff . Something had happen to the ghost . It no longer look frightening . The Canterville shade could see that the ghost ’s head was only a pumpkin . He read a sign that say " YE OTIS trace . "

The Canterville Ghost had been fob !

A few days subsequently , Virginia Otis went riding and tore her skirt . She knew her mother would not be well-chosen ! Virginia belong to the stitching way , hoping to fix her annulus before her mother saw it . When she spread out the door , she was surprised to see the Canterville Ghost ! He was sitting by the windowpane , watch the leaves fell by . He await very sad .

Virginia matte sorry for the ghost . " My brothers are leaving tomorrow for shoal , " she tell . " If you behave yourself , no one will bother you . "

The ghost turned around . " It is my job to misbehave , " he pronounce .

" Nonsense ! " said Virginia . She turned to leave .

" Please do n’t go , Miss Virginia , " cried the ghost . " I am so unfrequented , and I do n’t bang what to do . I need to go to sleep , but I can not . "

" That ’s laughable , " state Virginia .

" I have not slept for three hundred years , " he said unhappily . " And I am so tired . I wish to return at rest and never awaken , " say the ghost . He continued to excuse why he haunted the old household . The ghost needed Virginia ’s arrant fondness . If she would be his on-key friend , the ghost could sleep constantly .

Virginia considered the trace ’s asking . She stood up and state , " I will help you . " She took the ghost ’s hand and stick with him through the rampart .

About ten second later , the Vanessa Stephen band for tea . Mrs. Otis was greatly horrify when Virginia did not come along . Mr. Otis taunt his Equus caballus across the countryside to search for her . He could not ascertain her .

Then at midnight , a panel at the top of the stairs fly unfastened . Virginia came out looking very wan and tired . She was hold a small white box .

" My fry ! " cry Mr. Otis . " Where have you been ? "

" Papa , " said Virginia quietly , " I have been with the spectre . He is all in now . "

Virginia led them down a secret corridor . last they come to a bang-up oak door . Virginia opened it . They get hold themselves in a modest way . A huge iron ring was attached to the wall . A chain lead from the ring to a skeleton .

Virginia explain that Sir Simon was lock in this room long ago . " Now he can lie , " she said .

Four day later , the Otis kinfolk had a proper funeral for Sir Simon . After the funeral , Virginia call up the white box the ghost had given her . She brought it to her father . Slowly , Mr. Otis opened the box .

Virginia gasped . " Look at those beautiful jewels , " she outcry .

Virginia ’s don handed them to her . " You must take them , " he said . " We certainly desire Sir Simon to rest in peace . "

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

There once was a valley that was said to be the quiet place in the world . It was just off the eastern shore of the Hudson River . For as long as anyone could think of , it had been called Sleepy Hollow .

The common people who go in Sleepy Hollow were a strange wad . They heard voices and ascertain strange things . It was live that Sleepy Hollow was obsess .

The spirit that most often obsess the enchanted valley was a human race tease on his horse . But the man did not have a head . multitude loved to talk about the ghost .

" He was a soldier , " someone would start .

" They inhume him in the God’s acre , " someone else would quickly say .

The people of Sleepy Hollow called this spirit the Headless Horseman .

One of those the great unwashed was Ichabod Crane , a marvellous , sweet - tempered teacher . He taught in a plain schoolhouse that stand in a lonely spotlight at the human foot of a immature mound . Ichabod ’s scholarly person could not assist but think that their teacher ’s limb and legs were just a bit too retentive for his body .

" He looks like a scarecrow ! " they would whisper as they follow Ichabod walk to school on windy days , his clothes fluttering around him .

Ichabod loved all scary things , so Sleepy Hollow was the perfect place for him . One of his favourite things to do was stretch out next to the river and interpret nervous stories .

The only affair that Ichabod loved more than a shuddery story was a young madam named Katrina Van Tassel . Katrina was one of Ichabod ’s medicine bookman . She was get laid throughout Sleepy Hollow for her ravisher .

" I am only a schoolteacher , " Ichabod would say , " but I recognize I could make her felicitous . "

The only adult male who Ichabod worried might hurt his chances with Katrina was Brom Bones . With a burly frame and unspecific shoulders , Brom was a threat to the lanky Ichabod . He was known throughout Sleepy Hollow for his strength and his great accomplishment in horsemanship .

" Oh , Brom Bones ! " the women would say . " He is so strong and brave ! "

" Wherever there is a fight or a company , " the men would chuckle , " Brom is n’t far behind ! "

Although Katrina showed interest in Brom , Ichabod would not give up .

" I shall not lose ! " Ichabod thought . He went about woo the adorable Katrina , visiting her home plate and taking her for foresightful walks in the moonshine .

Brom became green-eyed when he find out that Ichabod was also seeing Katrina . Brom found path to make things difficult for the untested teacher . He began bring practical caper . One night , he went into the quondam school and turn everything topsy - turvy . Brom always tried to make Ichabod look goofy in front of Katrina .

One autumn afternoon , a courier arrive at Ichabod ’s schoolhouse to give him an invitation .

" What is the invitation for ? " asked his students oddly .

" Why , it is for a company tonight at the Van Tassels ' , " replied Ichabod . He recognise that this was his chance to sweep the fair Katrina off her feet . " She will forget she ever met Brom Bones ! " he exclaimed .

The classroom was abuzz with excitement . Ichabod even agreed to push aside his students a full hour early . He needed time to primp .

After the students burst out of the schoolhouse doors , Ichabod begin to groom himself for the big event . He ransack his pilus , studying his expression in

a mirror that hung in the schoolhouse . at last , Ichabod stepped back and looked at himself .

" complete ! " he declared .

Ichabod proudly mounted his horse like a knight in search of escapade . But he was far from being a brave knight . The horse he rode to the Van Tassels ' was not even his own . It was an honest-to-god plow horse with a tangled mane .

It was a unknown sight to see Ichabod taunt an onetime horse . His elbows stick to out like hopper ' leg . His arm flapped about like wings . As he rode , his black coat fluttered around him in the wind .

Ichabod was confident when he walked into the party . But his berm dropped a spot when he saw his competitor , Brom Bones . He was in a corner with some mass . Brom had arrive on his favorite horse , Daredevil . Daredevil was just as mischievous as his owner – no one had ever been able to cultivate him . Ichabod could hear Brom ’s prospering representative .

" And then I lifted all five men with one hand ! " Brom bragged .

Ichabod sighed . Would Katrina really choose him over Brom ?

on the spur of the moment music blow throughout the manor house and the Edgar Albert Guest began to trickle into the ballroom .

" May I have the honor of this dance ? " Ichabod ask Katrina quickly .

Soon they were swirl across the floor . Katrina smiled happily , but Brom was anything but happy . He stand in the box , jealously watch out Ichabod .

Before Ichabod left the party , he join a few people who were telling tales of the haunt land . Soon they were verbalise about the Headless Horseman . It seemed that he had been spotted several meter late .

" He has been seen at one of his favorite stead – the bridge that leads to the church building , " someone enounce .

It was almost midnight when Ichabod left . There was hardly a audio except for the chirp of the cricket . Even though Ichabod loved all thing spooky , he began to feel nervous . His heart was beating loudly . He remembered all of the ghost stories he had heard at the party .

" I must be brave ! " said Ichabod , his phonation trembling .

Ichabod had never felt so lonely . He begin to whistle to keep his spirits up . He think he heard someone else sing , but it was just the twist sweeping through the teetotal autumn offset .

abruptly , Ichabod jumped in his bicycle seat . Straight up ahead was something white hanging in the middle of a tree diagram .

" A ghost ! " yelped Ichabod .

But the uneasy schoolteacher saw that it was not a ghostwriter . The Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree was only white where it had been strike by lightning .

Ichabod was almost at the very spot where the Headless Horseman had been run across . Soon he began to hear a thump randomness . Ichabod turn his head towards the noise . He get word a huge figure standing in the shadows .

" Wh - who are you ? " shouted Ichabod .

Ichabod turned his head to get a good look at his unwelcome guest . The

figure was a large valet hinge upon a swell black horse . Ichabod ’s tooth lead off to chatter . Then he saw that the mankind was … headless !

" The Headless Horseman ! " Ichabod gasp .

" Faster , faster ! " Ichabod tell his knight .

When Ichabod looked behind him , he screamed in horror . The Headless Horseman was about to throw his head ! Ichabod dodged , but it was too late . He come down off his horse .

The Headless Horseman ride off into the night .

The next morning , a search party found Ichabod ’s cavalry . And a little ways from his horse , they found his hat and a shattered pumpkin .

Ichabod never issue forth back to Sleepy Hollow . When the townspeople told the story , Brom bone always had a smile on his face . Was it just Brom throwing a pumpkin or did Ichabod really see the Headless Horseman ? No one knows for sure . It has become one of the many mysteries of Sleepy Hollow .

They say dogs are human beings ’s best friend . Sometimes those friendship extend beyond the tomb . In the next section , read about the dog named Ghost in " White Dog . "

White Dog

Once there was a boy who had a well-disposed snowy dog named Ghost . Joey and Ghost were best friend . They loved to roam the countryside look for adventure . They climb rocks and waded through cool stream .

Joey ’s neighbor all like Ghost , too . One day , Farmer Green view the two friends walk by his farm . " There goes that boy and his white frank again , " he said . " They ’re lucky to have each other . "

That day , Joey and Ghost were hunting squirrels . They never caught any . But the chase was the fun part . Ghost would sniffle them out . Then the two friends would run after the squirrel until it hid in a tree .

Suddenly , Ghost spot a squirrel . Then Joey saw the squirrel . Ghost ran around a rock . When Joey acquire to the other side of the rock , he discontinue . Ghost barked at Joey . " What ’s wrong , boy ? " he asked .

Ghost kept bark until Joey backed up behind the rock . Then Ghost moved . Now Joey could see why his friend was barking . A large black snake was coiled up next to the tilt ! Ghost had protect Joey .

" What a skilful boy ! " Joey say . " permit ’s go home . "

That dark , Joey said secure night to Ghost . Then he go forth a treat for him on the doorsill . " See you in the morning , " he aver .

The next morning , Joey jumped out of bed and ran downstairs . Outside , he whistled for Ghost . " Gho - atomic number 8 - o - st ! Come here , boy , " he call . But Ghost did not fall . Joey wondered where his good friend could be . He run to the b to find his father .

" Have you check Ghost ? " he asked . Joey ’s dad climbed down from the tractor .

" Son , I find Ghost this aurora , " his father started . " He was n’t moving , so I take him to Dr. Parker ’s house . I ’m afraid there was nothing he could do . Ghost was very old . "

Joey was heartbroken . He would miss his friend so much . He inquire who would explore the woods with him .

After Ghost was blend , Joey pass most of his time alone in the woods . He walked along the creeks where he had once play with Ghost .

One twenty-four hours , Joey ventured further than he had ever survive before . He was walk along the boundary of a ravine . Suddenly , he lost his footing . The tilt gave agency and Joey landed on a shelf below . Joey ’s leg was bend and come up . He could not rise out of the ravine .

Joey call for help . But no one was close enough to hear him .

A few miles down the road , Farmer Green was working in his field . It was a very hot day . He pass over the sweat from his supercilium . Just then , he mark a white dog go towards him . It looked like Joey ’s dog .

The dog barked and bark at Farmer Green . " Hey Ghost , how ’re you doing ? " he said . " Have n’t come across you in a while . "

The dog remain to bark at him . Farmer Green tried to motor his tractor through the rows of beans . But the dog run right in front of the tractor ’s wheels .

Farmer Green blew the tractor ’s horn . But the dog would not stir . Finally , Farmer Green turn off the locomotive engine and climbed down from his tractor .

" Where ’s your friend ? " he expect . " Now go find him . "

The frump was very dour . He proceed to skin at Farmer Green . Then he ran up to Farmer Green . He grab the man ’s trouser in his mouthpiece and tried to pull him along .

" Whoa ! Okay ! " say Farmer Green . " I ’m coming . rent ’s go . "

Farmer Green followed the frump through the woods . They cheat for mile through thick brush and magniloquent trees . Every few feet the dog would depend back at Farmer Green . He wanted to be sure the man was following him .

They came closer to the ravine . The dog disappeared in the brush .

" Now where did you go ? " call in the James Leonard Farmer . Then he heard the male child ’s cries .

Joey was attempt to yell for assist . He had almost given up . Then he heard a homo yell back to him .

" Hello - o - o ! " scream Farmer Green . " Are you injure ? "

Joey looked up from the ledge . He could see Farmer Green tolerate at the edge of the ravine . The man was peering down at Joey . He could barely see the male child through the trees .

" I ’m okay , but my leg is ache , " Joey yelled back . " I ca n’t make it up there all by myself . "

" give ear on , " said the farmer . " I ’ll help you up . "

Farmer Green found a inviolable vine . He concur one end of the vine . Then he threw the other end to Joey .

" Use this to pull yourself up , " he said .

Joey grabbed onto the vine . It was solid and blockheaded like a Mexican valium . Using his respectable wooden leg , Joey pulled himself up the side of the ravine . Near the top , Farmer Green reached over and pulled Joey onto the rock and roll .

" Thank you , " aver Joey . He tried to catch his breather .

Farmer Green help Joey sit up on the rocks . " Let ’s have a look at that leg , " he sound out . Joey ’s leg was still bleeding .

" It hurts , " Joey said , " but I opine I can walk . "

" Let ’s find a offshoot you could utilise as a crutch , " Farmer Green aver .

Farmer Green pulled the bark off one final stage of the offset . Then he helped Joey to his feet .

" you’re able to use this branch as a crutch , " he enunciate . " Now let ’s get you abode . "

Joey place upright up shakily . " Thank you , Farmer Green , " he said .

Joey steadied himself with the crutch . Farmer Green held onto his other sleeve . Then they hiked through the brush .

When they came to a clarification , Farmer Green spoke . " That ’s some dog you got there ! " he say .

" What do you intend ? " asked Joey .

" I mean , you ’d still be sit in that ravine if that white dog did n’t show me where you were , " said Farmer Green . " He came to my area and bark and barked . Then he run me out into the woods to find you . "

Joey could not believe what Farmer Green was saying . " That could n’t have been my dog , sir , " whispered the boy . " My wienerwurst died almost a month ago . "

Read about two woman who unintentionally visit eighteenth - C France in the next story , " A Day at Versailles . "

A Day at Versailles

One day in 1901 , two charwoman advert Anne and Eleanor traveled to France . They wanted to see the palace at Versailles . This castle was Queen Marie Antoinette ’s home in the late 1700 ’s .

Anne and Eleanor toured the palace . Then they went outside to the gardens . They require to find Marie Antoinette ’s minuscule home , a Doroteo Arango .

The women searched for the piffling villa . Along the way , they saw a abandoned farmhouse . They notice an old plow on the side of the road .

A deep sentiency of sadness and sombreness forthwith fall over both women . They felt as if something terrible was about to happen .

Soon the two women see they were suffer . They did not be intimate where to go until they play two men .

The men were cut back in farseeing green coat . They wore three - cornered hats . The women realized that the men ’s clothes and hats were peculiar , too . They were the form of apparel soldiers wore during the French Revolution .

" Which way to the Francisco Villa ? " Anne asked the men .

It was not long before they found a beautiful summerhouse . On a normal mean solar day , the summerhouse would have been lovely . Yet this did not seem like a normal twenty-four hours . The countryside looked eerie . Anne and Eleanor matte up even pitiful than before . The tree diagram were still . The birds were soundless .

Now the women had stronger tactual sensation of gloom . Something terrible would surely happen shortly . But what ?

Anne and Eleanor decide to keep go . If they could encounter the Francisco Villa , peradventure they would feel better .

all of a sudden , a man rushed up from behind them . He had a peculiar grinning . His face was marred .

The man stared at Anne and Eleanor . Finally , he said , " You are going the untimely way . "

The man manoeuver to a small bridge . He tell the women to go across it . Anne and Eleanor turn and begin across the bridge . When they looked back , the unusual man was gone .

Anne and Eleanor convey to the other side of the bridge . Soon they came to an area they feel must be the villa . Everything was still queerly vapid . The countryside looked like something in a sorry ambition .

Anne point out a beautiful ma’am . The noblewoman was sketching the countryside . She wore an one-time - fashioned garb and a wan yellow scarf joint around her neck . She front very sad .

Anne shivered as she looked at this beautiful lady . There was something intimate about her . But who could she be ?

Both Anne ’s and Eleanor ’s feelings of unhappiness and gloom spring up strong and potent . But they could not explain what made them feel so sad .

Anne and Eleanor move around to see a man hurry out of a nearby building . He slammed the door . Then he glanced at Anne and Eleanor . " The entry to the Doroteo Arango is on the other side of the building , " he said .

Anne and Eleanor walk around to the other side of the Francisco Villa . When they got there , they found a small hymeneals party waiting to tour all the rooms of the Doroteo Arango .

Anne and Eleanor ’s gloomy modality as if by magic nobble . A soft walkover blow the leaves of the trees .

Anne and Eleanor continued their tour of the villa . Everything seemed normal again . Nothing else strange happened that twenty-four hour period . But the two womanhood did not understand the strange sight they had seen .

The next year , Anne returned to the Gallic palace . She look for for the villa again . But everything appear unlike .

" Where is the plow ? " Anne ask . " The bridge is gone , too . "

Anne told a gardener about the men in unripe coats and the world with the scarred facial expression . Then she report the madam sketching and the man who had rushed out of the villa .

The nurseryman excuse that no plows were kept in the palace garden . But an erstwhile plow had been display on the grounds in 1789 . No bridge was on the grounds either . But a bridgework had been there in 1789 . The man in gullible pelage were part of Marie Antoinette ’s Swiss Guard . The man with the scarred face sounded like an enemy of Marie Antoinette .

The gardener sprain to the room access that Anne had seen a world induce out of last twelvemonth . The door was bolted shut .

" It ’s been bolted keep out for many years , " sound out the gardener .

" I have sex who the lady was , " said Anne . " She was Marie Antoinette . "

Anne have it off she had stumbled into Marie Antoinette ’s own sad storage . It was her storage of a solar day in 1789 . She had just learned that an raging mob from Paris was marching towards the palace gates to get her .

understand about a male child who come across a occult young woman in the next story , " Sweet Mary . "

Sweet Mary

Homesville was a nice home – at least that is what the people who lived there tell . The people who produce up there wish it so much , they nearly always select to stay on there to raise their own fry .

Homesville had all the comforts of a big urban center , but people always knew their neighbor . When you walk down the street , someone would always smile and ask how you were doing .

Jack was one of Homesville ’s citizens . Everyone in Homesville love him and everyone like him .

Jack had a lot of booster . Jack would spend most of his time toy football , basketball , or baseball game with his friends . But he did not have a friend that he could just verbalize to .

That ’s when he adjoin Mary .

It happen quite by accident . Jack was sitting in his car in front of the subroutine library , daydream as usual . He spotted a daughter sit around on the terrace by the bus arrest across the street . She was wear out a party dress and looked like she had been wait there for quite a long time .

" That ’s the pretty girl I ’ve ever project , " Jack said . Jack wanted to enter himself , but girl always made him nervous . He never seemed to say any of the correct things . eventually , he gathered his courage .

Jack reached the bench and sat down . The missy kept staring straight in advance . Jack could feel his heart pound in his breast .

" Hello , " he said shyly .

The female child did not answer .

" My name is Jack , " he proceed .

Then Jack thinly brushed the girl ’s shoulder . short , she came to life . She turned to calculate at Jack . He could see a contact of care in her middle .

" Hello , " she said softly , " my name is Mary . "

Jack saw that Mary was shivering in the cool autumn air , so he afford her his letter of the alphabet jacket . They sat on the bench for a long sentence . Jack did all of the talk . Mary just smile and extend a few kind words .

The hour grew very late . Jack drive Mary domicile . When Jack block in front of her star sign , Mary leaned over and grant him a quick peck on the boldness . Jack see Mary walk to the front door . Before Mary went into the house , she turn , looked at Jack , and smile . It was the sweetest smiling Jack had ever come across .

The next morning time , Jack picked a small sweetness of flowers and went to Mary ’s planetary house . A modest old womanhood answer his knock . When Jack asked if he could see Mary , the old adult female looked startled .

" Mary ? " she ask .

The honest-to-god cleaning lady looked at Jack carefully . Finally , she state , " Please hail in . "

The quondam womanhood pointed to a picture on the mantle .

" Is this the girl you verbalise with last night ? " she require .

" Yes , " he reply .

" I am Mrs. Sweet – Mary ’s female parent , " she say . " Mary break almost twenty year ago . "

Jack did not believe what he was hearing .

" Everybody care Mary , " said Mrs. Sweet . " She ’d meet someone for the first time and talk to them like she ’d known them perpetually . This house was always full of her friends , laughing ' til all hours , " Mrs. Sweet hesitate . " You ’re not the first person to order me that you ’ve seen her . I care to think that she ’s closelipped . "

Jack was shocked .

" It ’s true , Jack , " said Mrs. Sweet . She paused and wiped away a binge . " Mary is buried in the Homesville Cemetery . "

Jack left Mary ’s family and run until he reach the graveyard . When he saw the letter crown that he had given Mary hanging on a tombstone , he break off short . Then he saw what was write on the tombstone :

Mary Sweet

January 14 , 1942 - May 5 , 1958

Jack place the flowers on Mary ’s grave . He did not know that Mary ’s ghost was light on top of the tombstone , watching him closely .

" I could n’t have imagined you , " Jack say . " My cap is right here ! "

Jack hand for his crown and held it close to him . He noticed that it smelled faintly of perfume .

" You did wear this ! " he exclaimed . " You were at the bus stop ! "

Jack commence to pace . He was trying so intemperately to put this puzzle together .

" There were so many thing I wanted to talk to you about , " Jack say .

Then Mary walked over to Jack and said , " Do n’t be sad . I ’m in good order here . "

Jack could not hear her , but cuckoo bumps heighten on his arms at the moment she whispered in his pinna .

He did not know that Mary , the gratifying miss he had ever met , had fare to say goodness - bye .

Ever hear of the Cardiff Giant ? get hold out more in the next storey , an adaption of Mark Twain ’s classic " A Ghost Story . "

A Ghost Story

I unlock the door and stepped into my fresh apartment . I had work hard all day . I was timeworn . All I want to do was take root in before a cozy fire , read the evening newspaper publisher , then creep into layer .

I stoked the flack in the open fireplace and eased into my favorite death chair . In the paper I find a story about the Cardiff Giant :

STONE MAN HAS PLASTER similitude

Crowds of people have been lining up to see New York City ’s own " petrified man " at the Eighteenth Street Exhibit Hall . They conceive they are pay to see the Edward Durell Stone hulk that was discovered on a farm in Cardiff , New York . They do n’t hump that the giant on showing at the Exhibit Hall is but a plaster cast of the Cardiff Giant .

in the beginning this year , a Cardiff farmer was digging on his farm when he find the stone figure of a human beings . The stone man was over ten feet marvelous . Many people think that an ancient tribe of giant lived in New York thousands of year ago . They believe the farmer in Cardiff attain the fossilized cadaver of one of these elephantine men .

Scientists are now studying the Cardiff Giant . Many experts doubt that the physique is a petrified giant . They conceive it is a statue carved from stone .

I laugh . " Some people will conceive just about anything . In Cardiff , they were pay to see a stone valet de chambre that is belike a fake . In New York City , they are flocking to see a plaster caricature of the phoney . "

At least now , though , I know why the street outside had been so crowded . I lived across from the Eighteenth Street Exhibit Hall .

I go up into bottom . I was glad I had a scientific mind . I demanded proof when I heard far - fetched stories .

I closed my eyes and was drift off to sleep when I hear footsteps in the hall . These were not just any footstep . They sounded like Boulder being drop on the floor . With each step , the whole building sway . After each step , I heard a clank , like somebody was drop back a chain .

THUMP . Clank . THUMP . Clank .

I pulled my blanket over my head . I pressed it against my ears . It dull the thumping and clanking , but I could still feel the building handclasp .

The palpitation seemed to come nearer . My blanket slipped off my shoulder . I labour on it . Something – or someone – tugged harder .

I pulled the mantle from my human face . A huge man hulk over me .

I scream . The man screamed .

I asterisk up at the humans . His straits was the size of my duffel bag ; his chest of drawers was as big as a barrel . His arms hung down at his sides like tree luggage compartment .

I could see right through him . Through his head I could see the ceiling . Through his enormous venter I could see the fire still crackling in the open fireplace .

" You ’re … you ’re a ghost , " I whisper .

" I ’m a heart , it ’s true , " his vox boomed . " A spirit who can not rest . "

His massive berm swag . He reckon so sad and lose , I forgot to be afraid of him .

I scramble from my layer . The poor giant shivered .

" You must be inhuman , " I said . " derive sit by the flame . "

He stamp over to the hearth and heaved his ghostly body into my favored president . Crr - ACK ! The death chair shatter beneath him .

The giant stood up and look down at the sticks of Sir Henry Wood spread around him . " I ’m sorry . I should n’t have tried to sit down on something so small . "

He lumbered over to my bed and glower himself down on to it .

Crr - INK ! The metal layer build squelch to the floor .

" Stop that ! " I enunciate . " You ’ll crush every opus of piece of furniture I own . "

The ghost struggled up from my drop bed . " I ’m sad . I ’m just so tired . I have n’t had a chance to sit down for a very long time . "

" Here , " I said . " Sit on this . " I take out the rug in front of the flak .

" give thanks you , " he enunciate .

The giant sit on the rug . I wrapped a cover around his shoulders . I turned my washtub over and set it on his point to keep his ears warm .

" Now , " I said , " tell me why you ’re haunt my apartment . "

The spook sigh . " I did n’t want to hurt you . I ’m only attempt to get some quietus . My body is rest across the street . It ’s on display for crowd of multitude . I ’m so tired . I want to go back to sopor , but I wo n’t be able to until they bury my body again . "

" You ’re the Cardiff Giant ! " I said .

" The what ? " inquire the trace .

I retrieved the newsprint and spread it undetermined to the story about the giant . " mind to this , " I say .

I began read the narration . I pass over over the part about the scientists who did not believe the Lucy Stone adult male was real . I did not require to hurt the shade ’s feelings . His eye grew wide-eyed as I read about the cataplasm imitation .

The touch stare at me . " The gemstone gentleman across the street is n’t me ? "

I shook my head . " He is n’t even stone . He ’s plaster . "

The sad spectre buried his face in his hand . " You signify I ’ve been haunting this street for nothing ! "

" Do n’t occupy , " I allege . I reached out to pat his articulatio humeri . " Go to Cardiff . That ’s where your stone body is . "

The shade mount to his feet . " I ’d better get started . "

He lumbered across my flat and walked out the door . His footsteps thundered across the dorm and down the stairs .

I peek at the newspaper . The expert thought the Harlan Fisk Stone man was a fake . I knew he was genuine . But the experts would never consider me . They would not believe my far - fetched story about talking to a ghost unless I gave them substantiation .

But I did not have cogent evidence . I smiled . I was beaming I did not have proof . If the world believed the stone man was a fake , they would leave him alone . Then the heavyweight ’s spirit would be able to reside .

I hear the ghost stomp out onto the street . I catch the hapless ghost of the Cardiff Giant pad away down the street . Then the shade plow the corner and disappeared into the darkness .

Every place with a ghost claims to be " the most preoccupied . " Find out the truly most preoccupied situation in Illinois in the next story , " Haunted Cemeteries . "

Haunted Cemeteries

Ghosts and spirits have been seen in many places . But a cemetery is one of the most common places to see a ghost .

Bachelor ’s Grove Cemetery is near Chicago . It is cry the " most taken up billet " in Illinois .

Over the years , a quite a little of strange things have happened at Bachelor ’s Grove Cemetery . Many mass have see the white misty shape of a char hold a baby . Others have even see a disappearing house at the graveyard . An eerie light comes from one of the windows , then the whole menage melt .

But the strange report was about a shade cable car . A duet was drive through the cemetery . Suddenly , they figure an old car come mightily towards them !

The span make out they could not swerve out of the way in time . So the gentleman’s gentleman and cleaning lady close their eyes . They expected to crash into the other motorcar . They heard screeching brakes , a flash crash , and broken glass .

But when they opened their eyes , they realize they were not hurt . They looked around . The old car was nowhere to be find . They got out to visit their own car . It did not have a scratch on it .

Another cemetery where there are almost just as many ghosts as graves is Woodland Cemetery in Dayton , Ohio . One dark night , two college boys were walk home . It was later , so they decided to take a crosscut . They climb up the marvellous logic gate to disregard through the cemetery . The boy saw a char blazon out on the steps in front of a stone grave .

" Do you need assistance ? " asked one son .

As they got closer , the boys noticed they could see flop through the weeping woman .

" Are you okay ? " asked the other boy .

The apparitional shape looked up at the boy . She had very sad oculus . She stand up quickly and set about to swim backwards .

She drift up the steps , passed through the grave ’s heavy gemstone doors , and disappeared . The male child looked at each other .

" permit ’s get out of here ! " they cry out , as they run away .

When the two students told the necropolis ’s groundskeeper what they had seen , he nod . He had heard the news report many times before .

" Well , " the groundsman said , " you ’re not the first people to see the Weeping Woman of Woodland . "

Ghost sightings at burial site usually pass at night . Many spectre expert believe this is when ghosts roam . They say that many spirits can not find rest in the hereafter . They are beshrew to vagabond all mean solar day and night . For this reason , ghosts are sure to be awake when everyone else is at rest .

One celebrated specter in Columbus , Ohio , wanders at night . She wee so much noise , she wakes up the neighbor ! People who live near Camp Chase Cemetery wake up to hear meretricious cries in the midriff of the nighttime .

The sad ghost is known as the Lady in Gray . Neighbors who have seen her say she is dressed in a gray-headed suit from the 1860 ’s . They say the Lady in Gray is full of sorrowfulness because her married man die in the Civil War . Some consider she is the wife of Benjamin Allen , a soldier who died at Camp Chase during the Civil War . His tombstone is still there today .

Many people have pick up the Lady in Gray . One neighbor heard her cry out , " I miss you ! Benjamin ! Oh , no . "

The neighbour thought the cries were a gimcrack trick . He run low to the cemetery to investigate . But he did not see the Lady in Gray or anyone else for that matter . But there were step in the snow . Then he detect two scarlet roses give in front of Benjamin Allen ’s tombstone .

There ’s nothing more passive than a beautiful firm in the country and a talkative little girl . Or is there ? watch about Vera in the next story , " The Open Window . "

The Open Window

Vera smiles at Mr. Nuttel . " My aunty will join us soon , " says Vera . " Until then , you must try and put up with me . May I take your chapeau and pelage ? "

Mr. Nuttel is a nervous man . He shyly smiles back at Vera . " Thank you , " he says . He gives her his chapeau and coating .

Mr. Nuttel nervously look around the drawing room . He calculate at all the pictures on the wall and the couch . He looks at the candid window . He looks at the green lawn just beyond the loose windowpane .

Vera closely watch Mr. Nuttel .

" You just moved to the nation ? " she asks .

" Yes , " tell Mr. Nuttel . He fidgets with his hands . His optic twitch . " I moved here to benefit from country life . commonwealth life is relaxing and sluggish . "

" Do you know anyone in the country ? " demand Vera .

" Not a mortal , " says Mr. Nuttel . " Your aunt , Mrs. Sappleton , is my first new friend . " Mr. Nuttel takes a deep breath . His body shivers . " My babe , Olivia , lived in the country four year ago . Olivia met your aunty at that time . Olivia allege your aunt is very skillful . "

" So you do n’t love anything about my aunt ? " asks Vera .

" I only know her name and speech , " order Mr. Nuttel . " Is she nice ? " he asks with a gulp .

" Oh , yes , very nice indeed , " says Vera . " She is nice despite the calamity . "

" Tragedy ? What do you stand for ? " ask Mr. Nuttel . He fidget with his work force . His eye squeeze . His trunk shivers .

" The cataclysm occur about three years ago , since your sister was here , " says Vera . Vera look directly into Mr. Nuttel ’s eyes . " You may enquire why this windowpane is open , " she says .

" I had noticed it , " says Mr. Nuttel . " The view is very pretty . "

" Pretty and tragical , " allege Vera . " Three years ago today , my aunty ’s husband , two brother , and their preferred frankfurter left through that windowpane on a hunting trip . They never returned . They had belong hunt on the Moor . When they intersect a moor , they light into a rich bog and were never seen again . "

Mr. Nuttel ’s eyes widen with fright .

" On the anniversary of their Death , " says Vera , " my poor aunt allow for the window out-of-doors . She believe that they will return . And , you know , Mr. Nuttel , on such a endearing day as this , I sometimes think they will . "

Vera ’s aunty walk into the way . " Mr. Nuttel , " she says , " I am sorry to keep you waiting . I hope my niece has made you easy . "

" Y - y - y - es , " says Mr. Nuttel , his eyes look chop-chop from Mrs. Sappleton to Vera to the windowpane .

" I do hope you do n’t take care the open window , " say Mrs. Sappleton . " My husband and brothers are hunting on the moors . They should generate before long . They always hail back through this door . I do hate how they track clay onto my carpets . Those moors are so waterlogged , you know . "

Mr. Nuttel listens with repulsion . He fidget with his hands . His eye squeeze . His consistence tremble . Vera watches Mr. Nuttel .

" I - I - I see , " says Mr. Nuttel , nervous to change the content . " I am pleased to encounter you . I will be in the rural area for a few months . I moved to the country for the welfare of my nerves . My doctor says I perfectly must relax . nation life is loosen and dense , do n’t you think ? "

Mrs. Sappleton turns from the open window . She looks at her invitee . " Yes , it is , Mr. Nuttel , " she answer . " And the hunt in the country is very respectable , too . "

Mrs. Sappleton turns back to the undetermined window . " I enquire how the hunting is today ? " she asks .

The drawing room is mute .

Mr. Nuttel nervously hear to fill the muteness . " My sister , Olivia , met you about four years ago , " he says . " Olivia said the country would be very good for my nerve . "

" take care ! Here they are , " says Mrs. Sappleton . " And they ’re back just in time for tea . " The older woman walks towards the opened windowpane . She looks out across the fleeceable lawn . " Goodness ! bet at all that mud . They will surely ruin all of my carpets today . "

Mr. Nuttel can not consider his eyes and ears . What a tragic site . This pitiable Mrs. Sappleton necessitate more assistance than he does . Mr. Nuttel turn to Vera to show his understanding , but the child is staring out the window . Vera ’s eye are wide-eyed with horror .

Mr. Nuttel fidgets with his hands . His eye twitches . His body shivers . He plow to attend out the windowpane .

Mr. Nuttel shout out , " AAARRRGGGHHH ! "

Mr. Nuttel seize his pelage and lid . Without wrick back , he operate from the draught room and out the undetermined window . He run across the lawn and vanish from sight . In his hasty issue , he almost criticize over the returning Mr. Sappleton .

" What got into that young man ? " require Mr. Sappleton . He steps on the unclouded carpet with his quaggy boot .

Mrs. Sappleton throw off her head and looks at the mud .

" Such an odd , nervous fellow , " Mrs. Sappleton tells Mr. Sappleton . " He fidget with his hands . His centre flip . His body shudder . He spill the beans all about his neural condition . Then he left without saying good - bye . Very peculiar . "

" He was probably frightened by the dog , " says Vera . She flex to scratch the frank ’s head teacher .

" realise mother wit , really , " Vera continue . " He recount me that he was very scared of blackguard . Several years ago he was hike in the mountains . While following a glum and narrow lead , he slip up upon a pack of baseless dogs . The detent chased the pitiable companion for three Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . Mr. Nuttel finally climb up a tree and hid in the branches . Below him , the hotdog walked back and off , snarling and barking , for a whole week . "

Vera sweetly smiles at her aunt and uncle . Vera likes to tell story .

Sailors are known for the bravery . Read about Panama who ’ve witness phantom ship at sea in the next tarradiddle , " Flying Dutchman . "

Flying Dutchman

Reid Brenner was the young and smallest leghorn on the ship . It was his first voyage out to sea . The smallest straw hat always had the job of night vigil . Reid climb up the ship ’s tallest mast .

Reid stared into the dark waves . He saw a hazy red flash of light . The light move closer . all of a sudden the ship rocked . A rough undulation crash against the gravy holder . A fierce storm fell upon the ship .

Reid looked down at the ocean . There , beside his ship , another ship bobbed on the waves . The ship was old . Its canvas were tattered .

The crew of the strange ship looked up at him . Their eyes were gloomy . All their apparel were soak and mangled . Their faces were wan .

Lightning ostentate again . abruptly , the storm ended . The ghostly ship was gone . Reid looked for the ship . He could not see it .

The next sunrise , some of Reid ’s mate need about the sudden tempest . Reid separate no one what he saw .

Later that day , Reid Brenner was struck with a dreadful fever . His ship was international nautical mile from shore . There was no doctor on the ship . He could not be save .

leghorn tell many stories of the sea . Some are true , and some are legend . One story has been told for hundreds of old age . The Flying Dutchman was a ship that voyage the sea long ago . In 1641 , this ship sailed into a dreadful tempest .

The captain , a gallant man name Hendrick Vanderdecken , would not stop or plough his doomed ship around . The captain order his crew to push through the serious violent storm .

The captain and crew of the Flying Dutchman never reached land .

Some sailors say the Flying Dutchman still sails the seas today . It is said that the ship must sail through stormy pee everlastingly .

For almost four hundred age , bluejacket have cover see the phantom ship . Often it seem from nowhere and disappear as quickly . normally it is understand at night or during a tempest .

The ship ’s ghostly crew may be seen working on the deck . Some straw hat have claim to see the Flying Dutchman ’s captain . They say he sadly warns them to remain away .

Any ship that crosses the Flying Dutchman ’s path is sound out to be fate , too . After look the phantom ship , other ships have had accidents . Many sailor have gotten nauseous . Some have died not long after reporting a sighting .

The ocean is a grievous place . skimmer throughout history have front violent storm , pirates , and diseases .

On long voyages , they tell many account to each other . Legends of haunted ships have been told for centuries . The story of the Flying Dutchman has been tell again and again .

It is not just an former story of the ocean . Sightings have been reported in modern time . Many people exact they have interpret it .

The story of Hendrick Vanderdecken ’s ship is reliable . His ship and his bunch were caught in a storm . They never made it to shore .

The report of unusual sighting are unvoiced to ignore . The terrible disaster that happened after sightings are also very genuine . But are they all related to attend the phantom ship ?

Many ship have been lost at sea . There is no way to know what find . lose ships leave no explanation . Their crews are never heard from again . They may have been sunk by storms . They may have gate-crash into rocks . Some may have crossed the route of a phantom ship .

Were the last faces those doomed sailors saw the spectral faces of the bunch and captain of the Flying Dutchman ?

Experience a post - Civil War adventure in New York City with the next story , " How He go forth the Hotel . "

How He Left the Hotel

After the Civil War ended , I maneuver to New York City . My captain was from New York . He had tell me all about the city .

" Stop by the Empire Hotel , Mole , " he told me when I was discharged . " I know some mass there . Perhaps I can get you a line of work . "

New York was exciting . I decided to take my captain ’s advice and stop over by the Empire Hotel . It was an refined red brick building with a fancy lobby .

" Welcome , " said the friendly door guard . He was dressed in a uniform with polished organization push button and a stylish cap .

" My name ’s Joe , " he said with a grin . I shake his hand and then insert myself . Joe put in me to the hotel director .

" I speak with your police chief , " the manager order . " I ’d like to offer you a job . We need someone to operate the hotel elevator from two o’clock in the good afternoon until twelve midnight . We ’ll provide earnings and a room . "

Like everything at the Empire Hotel , the lift was advanced and fancy . It had a decorative light at heart and mirrors on the walls . It even had velvet cushions where visitor could perch during their ride .

One November , a new renter arrived at the Empire Hotel . His name was Colonel Saxby . Colonel Saxby was also a Civil War veteran . I knew right away because he often wore his military cloak .

Colonel Saxby moved into room 210 . It was on the fourth floor . Room 210 was right across from the lift . I discover his threshold every time I stopped on the fourth storey .

Colonel Saxby was a kindly valet who continue to himself . I figured he was in his 50 . He was magniloquent and thin , with a gray moustache and a pointy nose . His cutis was pale . He had a reddish scar on one cheek . He also walk with a very slight limp .

" I take a bullet in the knee , " he explained to me one twenty-four hours .

Sometimes , in the lift , the colonel and I would talk a bit about the state of war . Even though he would talk to me , I would n’t say he was excessively friendly . That did not vex me , though .

Since I shape the elevator , I came to know everyone ’s routine . Colonel Saxby was especially predictable . He rode the elevator up to the fourth floor at the same prison term each day . He never depend on it down , though . I figured he must have used the stairs .

I was lofty to say people I worked at the Empire Hotel . It was one of New York ’s finest .

Sometimes operating the lift arise dull , but I really enjoyed all the people .

I became just friends with a few of the other workers . Joe , the doorman , worked the same transformation as I did . When it was slow in the eventide , we would often talk . He told me all about his brother in Boston . I severalize him about my baby in Connecticut . A lot of times we speak about the state of war .

Every Nox at midnight , I always locked the elevator . Joe generally tidied up the lobby a act . Then , on Midweek , we headed to the community room for a biz of cards . Helen , one of the hotel housekeepers , often joined us .

Helen was cheerful and talky . She always kept things brisk . Best of all , she by and large brought us something good to eat up . Her homemade soup and meat loaf of bread sandwiches were mighty welcome after a long 24-hour interval .

" This is delicious , " I told Helen one stale February dark . She had broil an orchard apple tree Proto-Indo European . I dare say it was the unspoiled I ever tasted .

Joe push his empty photographic plate aside and give thanks Helen for the meal . Then , as usual , he began shuffling his well - wear deck of cards . The three of us play until the wee hours of the dawn .

The next day , I launch myself watching the front door , wait for Colonel Saxby to come . The colonel always depend on the elevator up at three o’clock each twenty-four hours . In fact , I could not hark back a single day when he had not been on time .

I guess there is a first clock time for everything , though . Colonel Saxby never did show up that solar day . He did not show up the next Clarence Day either .

" Have you seen Colonel Saxby late ? " I finally enquire Joe .

" No , Mole . I ca n’t say that I have , " he replied . " I ’m told he ’s very sick . "

At the oddment of my shift that night , I had just go to lock up the elevator when the call bell rang on the fourth floor . I figure it must be a visitor who did not realize the elevator stopped campaign at midnight .

As the clock struck twelve , I rode to the fourth floor . When I opened the elevator door , I was very surprised to see Colonel Saxby . His military cape was drape over his shoulders . I notice his skin was even paler than common . The man looked ill . I was really concerned about him . I wondered why he was venturing out so recently at dark .

" I ’m happy to see you ’re good , sir , " I said . But Colonel Saxby just looked at me with a vacuous stare . Then he boarded the lift . It was the first clip I had ever given him a drive down .

When the elevator stop in the lobby , I reach the threshold . Colonel Saxby , who had stood perfectly still during the ride , depart without a word .

Joe open up the door . Then Colonel Saxby take the air out into the snow .

Just then , the doorbell rang . Joe opened the doorway . A valet with a black bag entered . I could tell at once he was a doctor .

" quaternary story , " he said hurriedly .

" I ’m sorry , but the lift stops die hard at midnight , " I explained .

" This is a matter of life-time and death , " said the MD .

I did as he request . The doctor hie straight to room 210 .

" Oh , heartfelt , " I heard the doctor sigh . " I ’m afraid I ’m too late . Colonel Saxby has passed away . "

The Dr. covered Colonel Saxby ’s face with his sheet .

" That ca n’t be , " I said . " I took the colonel down in the elevator just a few hour ago . Joe saw him , too . Colonel Saxby just left the hotel . "

" It must have been someone else , " the doctor said .

The manager asked me to take Colonel Saxby ’s body down in the elevator .

" I ca n’t do that , sir , " I said . " I ca n’t take the colonel down again . "

I knew I could n’t remain at the Empire Hotel any longer – not after what I ’d seen . I turned in my keys and result that night . Joe , the doorman , left with me .

Read about a dreaming add up to life in the next floor , " The Lighthouse . "

The Lighthouse

Jack was a writer who move to a seaside town . He traveled around the glide to write fib about the masses who lived there . He did not know that he would shortly have his own story to tell .

After settling into his new home by the sea , Jack decided that he necessitate some artwork . He had pick up about an erstwhile man who ran a gallery in town . Jack woke up early one morning and walked to the gallery .

" Good morning , " Jack said , as he spread out the gallery door . He shake the old humanity ’s hired hand . Jack introduced himself , then began looking at the paintings .

The honest-to-god man had an assortment of paintings . There were scenes of flowery meadow , metropolis skylines , and desert landscapes . But Jack kept coming back to a house painting of a lighthouse . It reminded him of the beacon light at the edge of townspeople .

" What a perfect photograph for my wall , " he said . " I ’ll take this one . "

" I hope you have the perfect place for this house painting , " the quondam man tell . He wrapped the painting in brown theme .

Jack paid the sometime adult male and walk home with the painting under his arm . He could not wait to find the arrant place to hang it .

That good afternoon , Jack detect a place above his mantel . He hammer a nail into the wall and pay heed the ikon . Jack sit back to see if it was straight .

" This is double-dyed , " think Jack . " I can see out my window and see the ocean . And I can look above the mantle and see the beacon . What brainchild ! "

That eve , Jack sat down to take over some notes from the daytime before . He had been interviewing a young woman . Her grandfather had launch the lighthouse years before . The young cleaning woman told many stories about her grandfather . He had loved the sea so much that he want to be sink there .

Jack on the spur of the moment see up from his notes . He thought he saw shadows moving across the dark way . Jack got up and walk down the hall . He saw the dark again ! This time he caught a coup d’oeil of a ghostly erstwhile serviceman .

Jack shivered in the darkness . He fray his eyes .

" Perhaps I ’m just tired , " he think . " My eyes must be playing tricks on me . " Jack turned out the light and went to bed .

That Nox , he dreamed about the lighthouse in his fresh picture . Jack was standing on its program and looking out to sea . He look an old man sitting alone inside the beacon . The man seemed very lamentable . Jack tried to speak to him . Then Jack woke up .

The next morning , Jack felt like he had to move the painting . He did not know why he felt up that path . He just did .

He looked around his house for the thoroughgoing place . He decided the proficient place for the house painting was right above his desk in the den . " This will inspire me to spell my newest story , " think Jack .

That eve , after a tranquil dinner party , Jack sat down at his desk to work . He was reading a book about lighthouses when a strange spirit came over him . He felt very cold . Jack shudder as he turned the page .

Then in the corner , Jack saw the shadow again . This prison term , Jack was sure it was an old man . The shadow paced back and off in the way . Jack could tell the man was sad and restless .

Jack looked around the elbow room . He enquire where the trace was total from . When he turned around , the shadow was expire .

Jack was very nonplussed . He began cerebrate about the painting . " Could that be why the shadow is here ? " he wondered . " Perhaps I have not found the perfect place for it . "

Jack went to bed that night thinking about the painting and the spectral shadows . He tossed and call on throughout the night .

In the early morning , Jack finally fell asleep . He had a dream about the former beacon again .

This time , the sometime humanity was looking out the window of the lighthouse . He was staring at the sea and watching the seagull sink and dive . The old man looked so well-chosen !

Jack awake with a jump . He bang exactly what he must do .

Jack leap out of layer and rapidly got coiffe . He took the picture down and carried it into his living room .

Then he find the sodding place for the painting . It was straightaway across from his biggest window . Jack bonk sitting in front of this window himself . He would watch out the wave stop on the sway as the sun rise up each morn .

Jack hammer a nail into the wall . Then he carefully hung the painting . He stepped back to see if it was straight . Then he turned around to seem at the sea . " Yes ! " he exclaimed . " This is in spades the perfect place . "

That night , as Jack work , he waited for the ghostly shadow to seem . But it never did . The trace did not appear the next night or the night after that .

Jack noticed that a certain sense of peace treaty and calm had add up over his house . He stopped dreaming about the former man and the lighthouse , too .

before long after the unknown shadow had disappeared , Jack started ferment on a new projection . He was writing a story about the painting and the apparitional dark .

Jack decided to lead off at the beginning . He account how he had happen the little family by the ocean . He write about meet the previous humans at the gallery and how he chose the house painting of the lighthouse . Then he came to the part about the admonition from the owner of the art gallery . " I desire you have the everlasting place for this house painting , " he had order .

The erstwhile man ’s scuttlebutt made Jack wonder . " Did he know all along that the house painting was haunt ? " Jack thought . " Did he know the painting belong to near the sea ? "

Jack make up one’s mind to take a fault from his written material . He got up from his desk and walk over to the painting .

Jack grabbed a material and dusted the wooden systema skeletale . Then he stopped to look at the picture .

Jack discover something he had never see before . A man was standing on the platform of the lighthouse . He was looking out to sea .

" This man calculate almost like the shadow , " Jack mean .

Then he realized something else . It was the same man from his pipe dream !

Learn how the not bad magician , Harry Houdini , delivers a final message in the next story , " Houdini ’s Great Escape . "

Houdini’s Great Escape

Harry Houdini was probably the most famous magician of all time . People especially make love Harry Houdini ’s great escape trick . He was noted for putting himself in majuscule risk and get away just in clock time .

Houdini ’s assistants once wrap him tightly in backbreaking chains . They locked the chains together and lowered him into a large kitty of water .

People in the audience could see through a window in the side of the tank . Houdini held his breath for a long time . Just when the audience thought he would drown , he escaped ! He joggle out of the mountain chain , floated to the surface , and took a deep breath . The crowd cheered .

Houdini performed hundreds of last - defying fast one like this one . But his most celebrated trick was one he did from the grave – after he was already dead !

Harry Houdini promised his married woman , Bess , he would contact her from beyond the grave . With his last breathing place , Houdini whispered a hidden content to Bess . The message contained ten words . Only she would know the coded content . This way , she would know it was really Harry speaking to her from beyond the grave .

On Halloween nighttime , 1926 , Harry Houdini died .

Bess Houdini saw her husband do many spectacular tricks before his end . She believed he would receive a way to contact her and give her a message .

She kept a candle burning near a picture of her hubby . Each twelvemonth she held a séance on Halloween . A séance is when a mathematical group of living mass seek to talk to the spirits of multitude who have decease .

In 1929 , a man named Arthur Ford add up to the séance on Halloween . He read he was a medium . A medium is a somebody who speaks all the words that spirits want him to say .

Ford hold another standard candle in front of him . He closed his eyes and began to whisper and hum . His vocalization changed suddenly .

" Hello , Bess , " Ford state in a very unusual voice . The voice sounded just like Harry ’s articulation , but this vocalisation was far away . A inhuman breeze do through the open window and blew out a nearby candle . The tabular array rock . Then Ford lento said ten words : " Rosabelle … answer … tell … pray … answer … looking at … severalise … answer … answer … tell … "

These were the exact words Houdini whispered to his wife on Halloween three years in the beginning . Bess was amazed . She believed her husband had reached out to her from beyond the grave .

Did Houdini really figure out a way to address to his wife from the spirit populace ? Or was the séance a fraud ? If Arthur Ford was a fake , how did he recognize Houdini ’s content ?

The words in the substance were a special code for varsity letter of the ABCs . Each word stood for a different alphabetic character in the alphabet . In their secret computer code the letters spelled the Scripture , " BELIEVE . "

In 1929 , newspapers impress many articles about the séance . Even though Houdini ’s subject matter said to " BELIEVE , " many the great unwashed did not believe it was real .

One newspaper clause said Bess Houdini and Arthur Ford planned the séance as a show to make money . Some believed that Ford and Bess Houdini made a deal . If she told him Harry Houdini ’s secret message , he would deal some of his riches with her . In fact , Ford became quite famous after the séance .

Other multitude believed , and still conceive , that Harry ’s spirit really did speak to Bess . Even today , people prevail séances on Halloween dark every class . They seek to sing to Houdini .

They require Houdini ’s spirit to reveal how he did such an astonishing trick . They believe that if anyone could have escaped dying , it would be Harry Houdini , the greatest leakage artist of all time .

Discover the secret of a cryptic untested boy in the next story , " Ghost Cave . "

Ghost Cave

Riley counted his worker . Then he yelled , " Line up , work force ! " Riley was the boss of a road construction work party . He had to verify everyone reported for work . This dawning he counted an extra worker , a teen boy .

The son ill-treat forward . " My name ’s Tate . I ’m here for the job . "

Riley hit the books the boy . He did not front hefty . He was skinny and pale .

" I ca n’t have tyke running around getting suffer , " Riley said .

" I wo n’t get hurt , sir , " said Tate . " I can do the oeuvre of three men . "

Tate savvy the bumper of Riley ’s truck with one hand . He took a deep breath and lifted the front of the truck off the priming coat . He took another breath and lifted it over his question .

Riley laughed . " Okay , son . You ’ve got the job . "

Tate worked intemperately all twenty-four hours . He never call for a break . He did not cease for lunch . At the end of the day , Riley handed out pay envelopes to all the workforce . Tate put the gasbag in his sac and walked towards townsfolk .

The next morning , Tate report early for work . He work very intemperately all day , collect his pay gasbag , then set off for home .

On Saturday , Riley buy the farm into town for a haircut and a shave .

" So how ’s the work coming along ? " the barber ask .

" okay , mulct , " said Riley . " We ’ve gotten more road dig the last few days than we have all summer . "

The barber call down his eyebrows . " Is that so ? What ’s causing your men to work so much faster all of a sudden ? "

" It ’s not the men , " said Riley . " It ’s a boy . I ’ve got a young worker on the gang . He ca n’t be more than fifteen or sixteen . perhaps you cognize him . His name ’s Tate . "

" Oh , yes . " The barber nodded . " Tate . He ’s an uneven one , he is . And you ’re proper – he does n’t attend older than sixteen . But he has to be at least twenty . Lived here all his life-time . "

" You think that boy is twenty ? " Riley asked .

" Why , yes , " said the barber . " But the funny affair is , he does n’t seem to get any older . Once he got to be a teenager , he just stopped aging . He ’s even worn the same clothes for the last five or six years , and he never want a haircut . "

Riley frowned . " That ’s very unusual . Think I should have a talk of the town with him ? "

" No , leave him be , " say the barber . " He ’s a good boy . He figure out severely . He has to . His mama ’s sickly , and she needs him . "

Riley left the barber shop . Outside he see two adult female , Mrs. Malloy and Mrs. Winslow , chatting in front of the dress workshop .

" Good day , ladies , " he said .

But the women were too Byzantine in their conversation to observe him .

" The pathetic boy will miss his mammy , " Mrs. Winslow was saying .

" Poor Tate , " aver Mrs. Malloy .

" Tate ? " Riley wheel around . " Pardon me . I do n’t think to eavesdrop , but were you just talking about a thin , fair - haired boy name Tate ? "

" Yes . His mother exceed away this morning , " sound out Mrs. Malloy .

" I ’m sorry to get a line that , " said Riley .

" She ’s been sick for a very long time , " sound out Mrs. Winslow . " Last calendar week she took a routine for the worse . She continue getting imperfect and weaker . "

Mrs. Malloy nodded . " It ’s a approval , really , that the short one-time lady no longer has to suffer . "

" But Tate will be heartbroken , " said Mrs. Winslow .

" He adored his female parent , " said Mrs. Malloy . " He spent all his time caring for her . It ’s as if he had no other intention in life . I do n’t know what will become of the poor boy now . "

dead , Mrs. Malloy ’s son came run up . " Mama , Mama ! " the boy pipe up . " You ’ll never judge what we saw . "

" slack down , Jimmy , " state Mrs. Malloy . " Tell me what happen . "

Jimmy take a bass breath . " We were playing near the brook . Tate walked by . He look peculiar , he was even wan than usual . I could see powerful through him . "

" Jimmy ! " said Mrs. Malloy . " Do n’t make up stories . "

" I ’m not , " tell Jimmy . " I tried to talk to him . But Tate walked past like he did n’t hear me . "

" Probably thinking about his female parent , " said Mrs. Winslow .

" We followed him , " Jimmy enunciate . " He went out past the old mill and down to the brook . Then he walk right into the earth . "

" Jimmy ! " said Mrs. Malloy .

" It ’s true , " say Jimmy . " It was a cave . I never even do it it was there . Tate got paler and paler as he walk inside . Then he just disappeared . I ’ve get to catch up with the other kids . They go to say the sheriff . " Jimmy raced down the street .

Riley express joy . " He has an active imagination . Tate is sure enough pale , but I do n’t think he could actually disappear . "

On Monday morning , Tate did not get to work . It was not like Tate to not show up for work . Then Riley remembered Jimmy ’s story .

Riley put the crew to do work , then set up out down the route past the old mill . He saw that the sheriff had gotten to the cave before him .

" I came to see if Tate was okay , " Riley tell the sheriff .

" You ’re too later . " The sheriff pointed inside the cave .

There , right in the middle of the cave , was a skeleton . Tate ’s apparel and work boots were rotting in a heap around the brittle pearl .

" That ca n’t be Tate , " said Riley . " He was working for me last week . "

The sheriff nod . " I ’ve seen him around township , too . I ’d say this skeletal frame has been here about five years . queer thing is , five twelvemonth ago is just about the clip Tate stop getting older . He startle looking paler and skinnier . I found this in his pocket . " The sheriff unfolded a piece of paper . " It ’s his female parent ’s grocery bank bill . pay in full . Tate always took good maintenance of her . "

" And he kept taking care of her even after he was all in , " articulate Riley .

He bespeak to the escort on the paper . Tate had make up the bill on Saturday , the very twenty-four hour period his mother died . " I guess he can stop taking care of his mother now , " said Riley .

There ’s been a trace haunting the same business firm for 300 years . bump out why in the next story , " The Wrecker ’s Daughter . "

The Wreckers' Daughter

Chambercombe Manor was a very large household on the bumpy coastline of Devonshire in England . For three hundred yr it was haunt by the trace of a young charwoman .

One owner after another report seeing the untested fair sex . No one ever reported being afraid of the shade . But no one ever make love who she was – not for three hundred foresighted twelvemonth .

Then about one hundred years ago , the owner of the house discovered a tiny room . It had been hidden away behind plastered walls for age . Inside the little elbow room was the frame of a young woman . She was lying on a beautiful bed . She was still dressed in the clothes she had worn more than two hundred years before .

The clothes had been soft and beautiful , but they were now dusty and flimsy . The skeleton in the closet wore beautiful rings and necklaces , now dark with years .

But still , no one fuck the charwoman ’s name . No one know why she had been hidden away in the petite way for so many years . The skeletal frame was shortly buried in a small burial ground in the settlement . But the sad spook stay on to take the air up and down the dorm of the older house . Why was she there ?

In the 1600 ’s , Chambercombe Manor was owned by Thomas and Mary Oatway . The Oatways owned a little shop . But no one knew that the Oatways were wreckers .

During tempestuous weather , when the Oatways be intimate that a ship was sailing by the coastline , they would establish a fire on the shore . The captain of the ship would think the fervency was a light to guide him to safe . He would sail his ship into the big rocks on the coast .

The ship would crash into piece . The cargo would wash up on the shore . The Oatways would gather all the worthful goods and store them in a cave . The cave led to a secret burrow that go right into their household . No passengers or crew ever lived to tell the story .

One Nox long ago , the sky was black except for some streaks of lightning . Thomas search the sea each time the lightning flashed .

" Aye , she ’s still there , " he abuse . " mayhap she has seen our firing . "

" lot on more wood . We must make a large brightness for the ship to see , " Mary state . " We need more goods for our storehouse . " Mary and Thomas piled more wood on the blazing fire so the toilsome rain would not put it out .

" She ’s seen our fervour , " Thomas enounce . " She recollect it ’s the safe channel . "

Mary and Thomas tolerate in the rain and wind . They watched the ship roll and toss on the wave . They heard the crunch of wood as the bow of the ship strike the sway .

" There she is , Mary , " Thomas yelled . " She ’s wrecked ! "

Mary think she heard cries for help above the roar of the waves . She closed her eyes and put her hands over her ear .

They get to seek for the box and crate . Thomas sic his lantern by his side to cull up the corner . The lily-livered rays from the lantern fell on a still organic structure lying face down in a shallow pool of water .

" There ’s a fair sex here , " Thomas call in . " I think she is alive . "

They pulled the cleaning lady from the water system . Thomas leaned down and put his spike to her heart .

" She is alive , " he tell .

Mary saw that the woman ’s face was badly make out from the jagged rocks . Her heart sank . She want to help this untried cleaning lady . " We ca n’t go out her here , " she say to Thomas .

" All right , Mary , we ’ll take the gentlewoman with us , " Thomas said . He pick up the woman and carried her safely into the cave .

They put the woman in Elizabeth ’s chamber . Elizabeth was their girl . Thirteen days ago , the young girl had run away . spirit in the tiny village and work in the store was not very exciting for her . She had not experience about the fervor , the shipwreck , or the secret burrow .

They had never received a letter from Elizabeth since then . Mary had cried for age before packing Elizabeth ’s clothes away . This woman and Elizabeth were about the same age .

Mary model by the woman lying still on the bed . She had clean her boldness and enclose bandages around it . But there was nothing else Mary could do . The peeress was dying .

" What can we do with her consistency ? " Mary postulate .

" If we report her death , people will know we are wreckers , " Thomas aver .

They sit next to the unseasoned charwoman until she arrest breathing . The sun was glint bright through the window .

" We could inter her in our secret room , " Mary said .

Thomas think for a while . " You ’re right , Mary . We can plaster over over the threshold and nobody will ever know that she is there . We ’ll be safe , " he say .

He lifted the woman ’s body and carried her to the privy way .

Three days passed . Mary was pouring the tea when she heard a knock at the front door .

Mary get over through the hall and swung start the heavy door . Before her stood a tall , well - dress man . His head was bandaged . His limb was in a sling .

" Mrs. Mary Oatway ? " he inquire .

" Yes . I am Mary Oatway , " Mary tell .

" I am afraid I have very bad news for you , " the alien said . " May I please derive in ? "

Mary ask over the unknown inside . They sat quiet and wassail tea until the mankind broke the muteness .

" Four days ago , I was on a ship from Ireland . But it sunk off your coast . I am the only subsister , " he suppose .

Mary ’s face turned pale . Thomas grip the weapons system of his chair . Did the valet de chambre know that they had built the fire that make the ship to wreck ?

" I ’m afraid I have some very unsound news for you , " he repeat . " Your girl , Elizabeth , ran away to Ireland thirteen twelvemonth ago . She had wed a affluent Irish gentleman . I get together her on the ship that sunk . She miss you frightfully and was coming to visit . It was supposed to be a surprise . "

In the 1960 ’s , construction workers were snap down an old house in Ireland . They establish a metal box . Inside the metal box was a letter addressed to the owners of Chambercombe Manor , Combe Martin , Devonshire , England . The letter show :

Before I die , I bid to squeal my sin . My sound wife is now numb . I can not go unless someone knows what I have done . My wife and I lived for a number of years in Chambercombe Manor .

We were bless with a beautiful daughter , who ran aside when she was still a girl . We do a ship to bust up and killed our own girl in the shipwreck . We placed her eubstance in a secret room . We could no longer live in our star sign . We thought we run into our daughter ’s ghost in the sign . We moved to Ireland so we could be near our grandchildren .

May God forgive us .

A mother and girl take resort in a mysterious sign . We ’ll show you what happens in the next narrative , " The Inn at the End of the Road . "

The Inn at the End of the Lane

Erica folded her purple pajamas and put them in her bag . " There , " she tell . " I ’m quick to go , Mom . "

Erica and her mother were run low on vacation . mummy had made plans for the them to visit Aunt Jill . Aunt Jill lived in a quaint little town near the ocean . Erica and her female parent fuck to visit the ocean .

The sky was a bite overcast as Erica and her mother turned onto the interstate . It was already late in the good afternoon . Erica gazed out the windowpane . The skyscrapers of the city soon render means to tree diagram and fields .

As they headed north , it started to rain . At first , big , fatty droplets slosh easy against the windshield .

Then , all of a sudden , the raindrops pounded tight and furiously . Mom turned the windshield wiper on as fast as they would go .

Just then , there was a loud crack of boom . A bolt of lightning dismount up the sky , which had grown quite dark .

" It ’s rain buckets , " Mom declared . " I can hardly see to drive . "

" Maybe we should pull over , " Erica said .

Erica was scared . They were still several hour from Aunt Jill ’s menage . Worse , they seemed to be stuck in the middle of nowhere .

" await , " Mom said , leaning forward and squinting . " There ’s an inn up ahead . Perhaps we could quell there tonight . "

Erica felt relieved as they pulled up to a quaint farmhouse . It was white with greenish shutter . The house looked very inviting .

Erica and her mother grabbed their suitcase and rushed to the front porch . Thankfully , the porch was covered , providing protection from the rainfall . mum rang the buzzer . Before long , they learn footsteps in the manor hall .

" Welcome , " said the innkeeper , as she opened the door . " Please hail in and make yourselves at home . "

" We ’d like to rip a room for the eventide , " tell Erica ’s female parent . " I trust you still have one usable . "

" Certainly , dear , " the lady said . " It is quite a storm we ’re cause . "

" It sure enough is ! " Erica sound out .

The lady led the traveller to a cozy upstair bedroom . Erica was pleased to see a giant seam with a downy baby’s dummy . As thunder boomed outside , she could hardly wait to snuggle under the warm , dry cover .

The next dawn , Erica awoke to the sound of shuttlecock chirping . The dreaded violent storm was over .

Erica and her mother walked downstairs . The parlor looked even lovelier in the vivid light of dawning .

" Hello ? " Erica ’s mother call out .

Erica and her mother could not find the innkeeper .

Erica ’s female parent shrugged her shoulder . " possibly she go out for groceries , " she say . " We can just leave a note . "

Erica ’s mother rummage through her purse for some newspaper publisher . She neatly wrapped a note around some money and place them on the table in the hall .

After driving a few miles , they stopped to get gas .

" Can I aid you ? " the male child at the gas post asked agreeably .

" We ’d like a filling - up , " Erica ’s mammy replied .

" Sure affair , " the male child said . He placed the nozzle into the gas pedal tank .

" You did n’t happen to drive through that terrible storm last night , did you ? " the boy continued .

" As a matter of fact , we did , " Erica ’s mom said . " Fortunately , we were able to expend the night at that charming inn a few miles back . "

The male child turned and looked at them . " You do n’t mean the white farmhouse with the dark-green shutter ? " he asked , seem puzzled .

" Why , yes ! " Erica ’s mother replied . " The hostess was so kind . "

" But that ’s impossible , " the boy said slowly . " That ’s Mrs. Flattery ’s old inn . It burned down several days ago . "

" Burned down ? " Erica restate in surprisal .

Erica ’s mother figured the son was joking . She hold off for him to laugh . But he seemed very serious . Erica had a creepy-crawly feeling .

" Let ’s drive back , Mom , " she advise . " It will only take a few instant . "

Erica held her breath as they approached the inn . When they pulled into the effort , she could hardly trust their eyes ! for certain enough , the old house was burned , just like the son had said .

" How can that be ? " Erica stutter in unbelief . " We were just here ! "

The porch that had protect them from the pelting was now sag down and burned . The windows were all go .

Carefully , Erica made her way to the possible action where the front door used to be . Then she gasped . There before her was the hall board . And on it was their neatly folded note .

Like mysteries ? Our next read - aloud chronicle is about an old family mystery in " The Little Room . "

The Little Room

Maria and Claudia climbed the steps to their train machine . The sisters had flee to Montpelier . Now they were taking a train on the Central Vermont Railway . They were traveling to see their aunts who live in a very old house near Highgate Springs .

" I am glad we will finally put an final stage to our disagreement , " enjoin Maria .

" So am I , " agreed Claudia . " Let ’s hope our aunts will allow us see the room . "

As the train rumbled along by the Winsooki River , Maria and Claudia babble about their puerility visit with their aunts .

" Whenever I die by the slight threshold off the kitchen , I encounter bright fair weather under the door , " say Maria . " One day , I quietly opened the door . The room was filled with sun . There was a big window . The piece of furniture was brilliantly paint . There were shells everywhere . "

" Did you go inside ? " Claudia require .

" I tried , " Maria said . " I opened the room access once . But Aunt Bedelia saw me and cried , ' Come aside from there this instant ! ' I never was brave enough to unfold that door again . "

" I retrieve the room , " Claudia said . " It was not at all as you saw it , Maria . When I was little , the door off the kitchen always had a coolheaded breeze bollix up under it . I could sense flowers in the breeze . One day , I opened the door . The room was cool and dark . crimson velvet curtains covered the window . The walls were covered with beautiful wallpaper . There were vases of inscrutable crimson rose . The rose were the flower I could reek when the breeze came under the door . "

" Did you ever ill-use inside the room ? " Maria asked .

Claudia shook her head . " I tried , too . But Aunt Magnolia come up behind me and cried , ' Come by from there this instant ! ' I was never fearless enough to launch the door again , " she said .

" Is n’t it strange ? We remember the room so differently , " Maria say .

" I wonder why Aunt Bedelia and Aunt Magnolia did not desire us to go into the room , " Claudia say .

" It ’s quite a mystery , " Maria answer .

The string clacked and creaked along the tracks .

" It will be good to see Aunt Bedelia and Aunt Magnolia again , " Claudia said .

" I wonder if they have changed much since we last saw them , " Maria said .

" I just hope they will in conclusion permit us see the room , " Claudia aver .

Maria and Claudia took a taxi to the former house where their auntie lived . The aunts were standing on the front porch when they arrived . The girls ran to the porch and hug their aunts .

Maria say , " We desire you could solve a mystery for us . Both of us remember a little doorway off of the kitchen . I remember a way full of shiny sunlight and seashells . Claudia recollect a room full of cool breeze , darkness , and roses . Who is correct ? "

The aunts looked at each other . Aunt Bedelia said , " Perhaps you are old enough to understand . Magnolia , please get the lamp . "

Aunt Magnolia stand up . She picked up an crude oil lamp from the board .

Aunt Bedelia said , " The room you think does not have shells in it . It does not have roses in it . Come and have a look . "

The two young ladies take after their aunts to the little door off the kitchen . Aunt Magnolia held the lamp . Aunt Bedelia unlocked the door .

Claudia and Maria saw the stair to the root cellar . In the center of the basement was a wooden marking that read :

Shelly and Rose

December 31 , 1948

Maria and Claudia stared at the mark .

" One wintertime nighttime , " Aunt Bedelia began , " when your Aunt Magnolia and I were only a little elderly than you are now , there was a terrible blizzard . We hear a rap at the door . It was a unseasoned adult female . She had a fiddling baby that was wrapped in a shawl . "

Aunt Magnolia continued the story . " We get the vernal woman and her babe in . She was almost quick-frozen from the tempest . We wad them into layer with extra blankets . We built up the fire to make the way warmer . We fed them hot soup . We did our best to take care of the youthful charwoman and her baby . When morn derive , both the babe and the youthful womanhood had die in their sleep . "

Aunt Bedelia said , " We did not do it what to do . It was wintertime and the ground outside was flash-frozen . We had to forget them in the cellar . The ground was soft because it was warm by the house . The vernal woman had a note in her hand . The note pronounce , ' Take guardianship of my Rose – Shelly . ' "

Aunt Magnolia shake her headspring and read , " Some days this is just our wine cellar with a wooden marker in the centre of it . On other days , it is a room filled with fair weather and seashells . "

" Other day , it is a room filled with roses and shadows , " said Aunt Bedelia .

" Did you ever find out who they were ? " Claudia ask .

Aunt Bedelia answered , " We could not detect anyone who knew the young charwoman . All we had was the note she was holding in her paw . "

Aunt Magnolia said , " I think the young woman knew we seek to help her . Whenever the room appears , there is a happy feeling in it . "

" If the room is sunny and bright , you experience like saltation and tattle . If the room is filled with blush wine , you sense peaceful , " said Aunt Bedelia .

Maria , Claudia , Aunt Bedelia , and Aunt Magnolia walk back up the step .

" I did not acknowledge your house was stalk . That would have scared me when I was niggling , " Maria said .

" That is why we did not need you to go into the room , " Aunt Bedelia aver .

" We did not want you to be panic-struck , " Aunt Magnolia said .

As the young women and their aunt maltreat back into the kitchen , the stair start to pass .

If they had looked back , they would have find out that the room was burnished and cheery . There were many seashells spread out about . There were vessel of mysterious red roses on the tabletop . A untested charwoman sat in a rocking chair and sing quietly to a sweet small baby .

In the final section , we ’ll scare you silly when you read about a haunted eating house in the next tale , " Ghost Hunters . "

Ghost Hunters

It was Friday night . Jim Osborne crossed his fingers . He hoped nothing strange would happen at his restaurant that night . Friday night used to be the busy night at Jim ’s Village Inn . But now very few people come to his restaurant . The week before , the cook had quit .

" How can I get the food quick ? " the Captain Cook had demand . " The fire on the stove keeps blowing out ! Food is lose from the cupboard ! Every clock time I turn around , the freezer door open ! I ca n’t stand it ! "

Word was spreading around town that Jim ’s Village Inn was haunted .

Jim watch as a class started to run through their dinner . The tabular array shook and their plates ram to the story . Jim conk out to excuse for the mess . The family was aghast . They wanted an explanation . But Jim did not have one .

Jim picked up the headphone . He dialed a figure from a paper advertizement .

" Incident Investigations , " a vox do .

" This is Jim Osborne , " Jim said . " I run Jim ’s Village Inn . I call for your help . "

" fill up your eating house early tonight , " said the ghost hunter . " I will be there before midnight . "

spectre hunters do their best employment at night . They analyze poltergeists . Poltergeists are touch that knock things over . They make a lot of noise .

Ghost hunters do not canvas every case they get a line about . Some events can be well explain . Sometimes people are just conceive of thing .

But some case are sincerely unusual . These cases need an expert and that is when the ghost hunting watch comes to investigate .

In their investigations , specter hunters use the tools of scientific discipline . A spectre hunter ’s kit would hold in a television camera , a profound fipple flute , and a thermometer .

Harry Price was a famous ghost hunter . He studied 100 of haunted place . He did not believe a place was haunted until he could find scientific proof .

Price require to get evidence that he could immortalize . He studied a haunted position by spend the night in it . Price want to record sounds and watch for movement .

He spread flour on the floor to detect footprint . He fructify up movement - sensible alarm that would wake up him up .

Sometimes tables shook , lamp fell over , or doors locked . There was nobody in the household but Harry Price , and he had not moved . These were place that Harry Price prove were haunted .

Other renowned specter hunters were some of story ’s most respected scientist . They started out wanting to test that haunts were just silly narrative . But their study changed their intellect .

Sir William Crookes studied haunted house in England during the 1800 ’s . He see many séances , when citizenry get together to hear to talk to spirits . He saw and heard many things that science could not explain .

Today ’s ghost hunters have advance machine . They are used to sense the tenuous change in temperature or movements in the air . motorcar can help the ghost hunter see in the dark . They also help to give proof that other multitude can see and believe .

Ghost hunters do not really " hunt " ghosts . There is nothing they can do to make shade go aside . They hunt for cogent evidence in haunted place . Once they record ghostly activities or retrieve no proof , their task is done .

Their work prove that ghosts are severe to cover and unimaginable to trap . For these actual - living wraith busters , the hunting go on .

A ghost Orion proved that Jim ’s Village Inn was live by mischievous emotional state . It is now called Jim ’s Haunted Inn . Every Friday Nox , people come from nautical mile around to dine in the presence of a poltergeist .

ABOUT THE AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS:

" The Canterville Ghost " Based on the narration by Oscar Wilde , Adapted by Renee Deshommes , instance by Stacy Schuett

" The Legend of Sleepy Hollow " Based on the original chronicle by Washington Irving , Adapted by Rebecca Grazulis , Illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler

" White Dog " Written by Renee Deshommes , Illustrated by Brian Floca

" A Day at Versailles " write by Suzanne Lieurance , Illustrated by Jane Chambless Wright

" Sweet Mary " Written by Rebecca Grazulis , illustrate by Angela Jarecki

" A Ghost Story " base on the original story by Mark Twain , Adapted by Lisa Harkrader , exemplify by Ute Simon

" Haunted Cemeteries " Written by Brian Conway , Illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler

" The Open Window " establish on the original story by Saki , conform by Elizabeth Olson , Illustrated by Jenifer Schneider

" Flying Dutchman " write by Brian Conway , Illustrated by Daniel Powers

" How He leave the Hotel " Based on the original story by Louisa Baldwin , Adapted by Lora Kalkman , Illustrated by Ellen Beier

" The Lighthouse " Written by Renee Deshommes , Illustrated by Laurie Harden

" Houdini ’s Great Escape " Written by Brian Conway , Illustrated by Allan Eitzen

" Ghost Cave " Written by Lisa Harkrader , exemplify by Kathleen Estes

" The Wreckers ' Daughter " Written by Virginia R. Biles , illustrate by Teresa Flavin

" The Inn at the End of the Lane " Written by Lora Kalkman , Illustrated by Teri Weidner

" The Little Room " Written by Leslie Lindecker , illustrate by Nan Brooks

" Ghost Hunters " Written by Brian Conway , Illustrated by Cheryl Kirk Noll