Apparitions; or, The Mystery of Ghosts, Hobgoblins, and Haunted Houses

In the early part of my life, having read many books in favour of Ghosts and Spectral A ppear- ances, the recollection remained so strong in Illy mind, that, for years after, the dread of phantoms bore irresistible sway. This dread continued tilI about my twenty-third year, when the following simple affair fully convinced me, how necessary it was to investigate everything that tended to be supernatural. About this period, I had apartments in a large old-fashioned country mansion. From my bed- chamber was a secret door leading to a private staircase, which communicated with some of the, lower rooms. This door was fastened both within and without; consequently all fear of intrusion from that quarter was entirely removed. However, at times, I could not help ruminating the malpractices that might have been committed by evil-disposed persons, through this communica- tion; and " busy meddling fancy" was fertile in conjuring up imaginary horrors. Every thing, however, was quiet, and agreeable to my wishes, for some months after my arrival. One moon- light night, in the month of June, I retired to my bed, fun of thought, but slept soundly till about one o'clock; 'when I awoke, and discovered, by the help of the moon which 'shone full in my room, a tall figure in white, with arms extended, at the foot of my bed. Fear and astonishment over- powered me for a few seconds; I gazed on it with terror, and was afraid to move. At length I had courage to take a second peep at this disturber of my rest, and still continued much alarmed, and irresolute how to act. I hesitated whether to speak to the figure, or arouse the family. The first idea I considered as a dangerous act of hero- ism; the latter, as a risk of being laughed at, should the subject of my story not prove superna- tural. Therefore, after taking a third view of the phantom, I mustered up all my resolution, jumped out of bed, and boldly went up to the figure, grasped it round and round, and found it incorpo- real. I then looked at it again, and felt it again........