The Haunted House

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Haunted House, The

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Title: The Haunted House A True Ghost Story
Author: Walter Hubbell

Release Date: October 31, 2005 [eBook #16975]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
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THE HAUNTED HOUSE:
A True Ghost Story.
Being an account of the Mysterious Manifestations that have taken place in the presence
of
ESTHER COX,
The young Girl who is possessed of Devils, and has become known throughout the entire
Dominion as

THE GREAT AMHERST MYSTERY,
by
WALTER HUBBELL.

* * * * *

THE AUTHOR LIVED IN THE HOUSE AND WITNESSED THE WONDERFUL
MANIFESTATIONS.
* * * * *

Saint John, N.B.: "Daily News" Steam Publishing Office, Canterbury Street.
1879.

INTRODUCTION.
The manifestations described in this story commenced one year ago. No person has yet
been able to ascertain their cause. Scientific men from all parts of Canada and the United
States have investigated them in vain. Some people think that electricity is the principal
agent; others, mesmerism; whilst others again, are sure they are produced by the devil. Of
the three supposed causes, the latter is certainly the most plausible theory, for some of the
manifestations are remarkably devilish in their appearance and effect. For instance, the
mysterious setting of fires, the powerful shaking of the house, the loud and incessant
noises and distinct knocking, as if made by invisible sledge-hammers, on the walls; also,
the strange actions of the household furniture, which moves about in the broad daylight
without the slightest visible cause.
As these strange things only occur while Miss Esther Cox is present, she has become
known as the "Amherst Mystery" throughout the entire country.
The author of this work lived for six weeks in the haunted house, and considers it his duty
to place the entire matter before the public in its true light, having been requested to do so
by the family of Miss Cox.

THE HAUNTED HOUSE.

CHAPTER I.
THE HOME OF ESTHER COX.
Amherst, Nova Scotia, is a beautiful little village on the famous Bay of Fundy; has a
population of about three thousand souls, and contains four churches, an academy, a
music hall, a large iron foundry, a large shoe factory, and more stores of various kinds
than any village of its size in the Province.
The private residences of the more wealthy inhabitants are very picturesque in their
appearance, being surrounded by beautifully laid out lawns, containing ornamental trees
of various kinds and numerous beds of flowers of choice and sometimes very rare
varieties.
The residences of Parson Townsend, Mr. Robb, Doctor Nathan Tupper, and Mr. G.G.
Bird, proprietor of the Amherst book store; also that of Mr. Amos Purdy, the village Post
Master, and others too numerous to mention, are sure to attract the visitor's attention and
command his admiration.
On Princess street, near Church, there stands a neat two story cottage, painted yellow. It
has in front a small yard, which extends back to the stable. The tidy appearance of the
cottage and its pleasant situation are sure to attract a stranger's attention. Upon entering
the house everything is found to be so tastefully arranged, so scrupulously clean, and so
comfortable, that the visitor feels at home in a moment, being confident that everything is
looked after by a thrifty housewife.
The first floor consists of four rooms, a parlor containing a large bay window, filled with
beautiful geraniums of every imaginable color and variety, is the first to attract attention;
then the dining room, with its old fashioned clock, its numerous home made rugs, easy
chairs, and commodious table, makes one feel like dining, especially if the hour is near
twelve; for about that time of day savory odors are sure to issue from the adjoining
kitchen. The kitchen is all that a room of the kind in a village cottage should be, is not
very large, and contains an ordinary wood stove, a large pine table, and a small
washstand, has a door opening into the side yard near the stable, and another into the
wash shed, besides the one connecting it with the dining room, making three doors in all,
and one window. The fourth room is very small, and is used as a