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A Model Ghost Story

Scary Books: The Best Ghost Stories
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(Boston _Courier_, Aug. 10)



A very singular story which forms one of the sensational social topics

of the day is the best authenticated of the many stories of the

supernatural that have been lately told. Only a short time ago a young

and well-known artist, Mr. A., was invited to pay a visit to his

distinguished friend, Mr. Izzard. The house was filled with guests, but

a large and handsome room was placed
t his disposal, apparently one of

the best in the house. For three days he had a delightful visit;

delightful in all particulars save one, he had each night a horrible

dream. He dreamed he was--or was really--suddenly awakened by some

person entering his room, and in looking around saw the room brilliantly

lighted, while at the window stood a lady elegantly attired, in the act

of throwing something out. This accomplished, she turned her face toward

the only spectator showing a countenance so distorted by evil passions

that he was thrilled with horror. Soon the light and the figure with the

dreadful face disappeared, leaving the artist suffering from a frightful

nightmare. On returning to his city home he was so haunted by the

fearful countenance which had for three consecutive nights troubled him,

that he made a sketch of it, and so real that the evil expression seemed

to horrify every one who saw it. Not a great while after, the artist

went to make an evening visit on Mr. Izzard; that gentleman invited him

to his picture gallery, as he wished to show him some remarkable, old

family portraits. What was Mr. A.'s surprise to recognize among them, in

the likeness of a stately, well-dressed lady, the one who had so

troubled his slumbers on his previous visit, lacking, however, the

revolting, wicked expression. Soon as he saw it he involuntarily

exclaimed, "Why, I have seen that lady!" "Indeed!" said Mr. I., smiling,

"that is hardly possible, as she died more than a hundred years ago. She

was the second wife of my great-grandfather, and reflected anything but

credit on the family. She was strongly suspected of having murdered her

husband's son by a former marriage, in order to make her own child heir

to the property. The unfortunate boy broke his neck in a fall from a

window, and there was every reason to believe that he was precipitated

from the window by his stepmother." The artist then told his host the

circumstances of his thrice-repeated experience, or dream, and sent for

his sketch, which, so far as the features were concerned, was identical

with the portrait in Mr. Izzard's gallery. The sketch has since been

photographed, but from its hideous expression is not very pleasant to

look upon.



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