MY MAD TENANT.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 54, 12 October 1878, Page 4

MY MAD TENANT.

I an rather of tin eventi ie tuni .if mind - at l'-ast hj ul! my frieads say, and per- r ' Laps they are correot- When 1 sav 1 ami l " eccentric, I tlo not mean that I area in " peculiarly rut clothes let my Imir fall '' m my shoulders in matted locks, or show :.:. aversion for soap and water. On the k atrary, 1 don't think you will tind a • more tidy eld bachelor in dress and port son than myself anywhere. Myeocentri- •- city is shown in an inordinate l'ovo of tho mysterious. As a boy I ruined my eye- f iight by reading terrible tragedies, horrible histories, hideous homicides and r, strange stories. These I would repeat to >, my nurse, Janet Gruesome, a plain and t imple -country girl, holding her by my I bed side of a night, shivering with" cold 1 and terror as she listened. ) life was full of misfortune for mo ' until 1 was turned forty, when a mys- ' turious uncle of mine, who left England .- whilst I was still a baby, died in Austrn- ' !ia, and left mo the sole heir to bis vast ( wealth. 1 instantly settled with my ' creditors, and taking my "nurse,"and 1 ray romances, started for the country,determined to wander about and seek for tho I marvel) us. i One day I came across a vast gloomy mansion that exactly suited my fancy. It ] was a weired and ghostly building with ' whispering vciisa'ia tte ivy-clad halla, doors that opened directly they were shut, and shut directly they wore opened. Long corridors, lighted by narrow" windows, led into recesses, so that on moonlight i nights the shadows of the tall trees out- I side' took Bpectral shapes, and seemed pointing with bony lingers to spots where deeds of violence had been done ; whilst the withered branches tapped eagerly i against the window panes as if they were houseless ghosts wishing to take up their , abode in this mysterious mansion. 1 was delighted, and determined to take it at I once. The agent was soon found, and ' the terms agreed upon ; but there was 1 o ico clause in the lease which I did not 1 like; it was even too mysterious to please me. By it the superior landlord. Mr. i Thomas Balcombe, held all rights over ole room on the first Moor, a small chamber, the shutters and doors of which were closed and securely faste 1. 1 inquired tiie reason of this, but the ngi nt ' cmld give mo no positive information. Ho believed the room contained the; family papers and portraits, and that -Mr. Balcombe had locked them up for security. " Hut,'' said I. " it is mysterious to have a sort of Bluebeard chamber in your house." " I quite agree with you, sir," replied the agent, "a i told Mr. Balcombe so. bit he is a b i .. : ,- man and will have bis own way. It's nearly twenty yearnow sine- the n nm was locked up. A: j firs! it in:, i, .; . .a' ii ise in the village j a:id strange stories were circulated; bul thai soon died out. and, except telling t lose stories at a Christmas time, or when a stranger asks for them, they are never heard. Sometimes people come for a picture in the woods, yonder, and go to see the ' haunted house,' as they call it, but 1 never let them in. I never heard it was really haunted." We agreed eventually as to terms, and in a couple of weeks 1 arrived from London, bringing with me Janet Gruesome, two maid servants, and some fine old plate and jewelry my uncle had loft inc. It was a dreary night when I arrived at the " Yews," as my new abode was called, but I was happy enough. A cheery fire was lighted in an oak-pane-led room, and whilst the servants prepared my supper, 1 unpacked the' plate and arranged it on the sideboard, to make the place took brighter. When 1 had done this and finished my supper, I drew an arm-chair to the fire mixed myself a stiff-glass of something warm, lit my meerschaum pipe, anil began reading one of my favorite tales of terror and imagination. I had reached the most thrilling situation when tho parlor door was thrown violently open and Janet Ciruesome rushed into the room. " Master I" she whispered, in trembling tones. " the secret dour is open, and it's coining out." " It's coming out ?" 1 cried. "What is coming out ?" " The ghost, master ' It's coming down stairs, a following me." '■ Then shut the door, you idiot!" I exclaimed; for to tell the truth, 1 never felt less inclined to see a ghost in all my life—" And bolt it." She turned to obey my orders, but was too late, for at that moment a venerable white haired old man, clad in a velvet dressing gown and scarlet slippers entered the room. " 1 beg your pardon," he said, rather r Tvously. " I hope I do not disturb -.on. I was not aware you haunted toLight. 1 believe you are fresh ghosts, ■ " —hero be lowered his voice—" are • you ghosts in embryo .'" "Sir!" I exclaimed, you must know this house is minor"" " Indeed said the creature, sitting down in my arm chair and drinking my grog. Has my cousin Tom let it to you, or are ou Balcombe P" ■ I am not a Ilaloombo," 1 cried impai mtly, for 1 knew now he could not he a ! - spectres don't drink spirit-; still the house is mine from theohimmy pots to the collars, all " ( " But one room," interrupted my mys- i tcrious guest; "that Tom could not—would not—let. You would not havell beun happy had lie done so. I keep the . ghosts in there. Somettmo one or twoll (.scape, and tbon 1 come out to hunt for! I

hem. I thought you were ghosts—stray ines—you know—at first. I'll take a ittlo more brandy and water. That Mom is cold, and ghosts are dull fellows it best; tiny are nover lively. Come, inv dear sir, sit down and be cheerfid." j Man oi ghost, the creature evidently knew the art of making himself at home.' tie mixed V>roo more brandy and water, then took up my pipe, lit it, and began smoking. "Janet," I whispered, "bo is not a ghoot —he is a madman.' " Madman I" cried the thing, looking up suddenly, for bis ears were evidently as sharp as his eyes. " Madman ! why that is what Cousin Tom used to call me, hut he was wrong. 1 was mad when 1 had tierce passion and tried to strangle him ; but then the change cauu—aud I was light, etherial—a spirit. Tom said this, and knowing that 1 talked to the ghosts of our ancestors, gave me a room to collet them in. That's the room. Get us sou:.- more glasses," ho continued, turning to Janet—" more glasses ami pipes; we will uo'merry." "He is mad," 1 whispered, " as he bids you ; we must humour him. But make haste back. Janet." "Come, that looks well: he cried, when we all had some hot grog and 1 wrs smoking. " Your health. Mr. 1 beg pardon; what name'r"" •• .1 udberry, sir," I replied sternly." Judberry." "Judborry, Judborry," he answered absently; " don't know the name. Perhaps ho was a butler." " X.i. sir :' 1 exclaimed, swelling with indignation. "I am not a butler. This bouse is mine, sir, and the pipe you are smoking is mine, sir." "All of them are very nice, too. Mr. Judborry, I am sure,"heauswered calmly puffing out his .-moke and closing his bright eves in luxurious enjoyment. " Very nice indeed. !io you are J udberry J 1 am Briareus Balcombe. You know me. oi course '." - 1 can't say 1 do. sir. To tell you the truth. I never saw or heard of you until now—and." 1 added to myself, " 1 never wish to again." " Never heard of me ?" he cried in astonishment. Then, lowering his voice to a sweet melancholy, ho added. -Then i 101 l you my history. He silent to ;th history of thebrokeu heart." I I ...i- in my u'l"i".—l was about I i hear the history of the Bluebeard I chamber. •■ When I was but a youth," commenced Briareus, "my uncle, who thou owned this man-ion, returned from Italy, bringing with him a lovely girl. I low can 1 describe her beauty . It is impos- ' sible ' It was the beauty of a dark, wild ' night, wherein the placid moon and gcu- ! tic .-tars are shining, yet the sighing of ! Lite wind proclaims the coming storm. ISo shone hoi glorious face, calm and pale, yet ever and anon the flashes from those wondrous orbs, her eyes, told of the lire within her soul. 1 loved her. Time passed on aud at last she owned that she returned my passion, but hade mo keep our love, secret, as she dreaded my uncle's wrath. Just as this time my cousin Tom procured me a lucrative berth in India, anil, with a light heart, 1 started for. that land of fortunes, for I believed 1 should soon amass riches and be able to claim Blvina. On my arrival in India I learned that my uncle had died, and that Tom had come into bis estates. " ' My uncle dead, one obstacle to my marriage is removed,' I cried ; uud 1 worked on with renewed vigor. But, alas ! 1 was struck down with a sunstroke, fever followed, aud 1 was ordered home, How long we were making the passage I know not. A gentleman —rather a rough fellow, though—who had volunteered to be my constant companion, said it was a short voyage ; to mo it seemed years. At length arrived, and taking a post-chase, we drove to tho ' Yews.' 1 told my companion at Southampton that I did not require his company any more, but he would not leave me until he saw me he said, 'safe in my cousin's care.' But why dwell upon this painful history? I rushed into this very room, and embracing Elvina, cried, ' Elvina ! Kivina ! behold thy BtiareUS returned to claim his bride !' To my horror, she thrust me from her, and, rushing to my cousin, through herself into his arms asking her dear dear Tom to save her from tho madman. 'Madam!'l cried,' Are you not my affianced ." ' Briarouß !' exclaimed Tom, ' you are mad, this is my wife !' I saw it at a glance," moaned the poor, mad creature, making my heart bleed for hi in. " I knew then why I had been sent to India —why this woman hado me keep our engagement secret. She loved my cousin's gold. My passion rose. I could not control myself. With a cry more like a wild beast than a man, 1 had him by the throat, and would have killed him, but the man who called himself tny friend turned traitor for gold. He dragged mc away from my cousin and foiled mo to the earth. My keeper I They said I was mad. and looked mo up in a chamber. Not alone; no, no, not alone; they cannot shut out the ghosts. They come and tell me stories—wild horrible stories. I will tell them to you some night. Hark '. the ghosts call me. I must go at onco, or they will come here. Farewell; tomorrow." Slowly he rrcpt friTm the room, Mrs. Gruesome and 1 following, Our heart* ached for him. We saw him enter the mysterious chamber, and heard him lock him sell'in.

" Mi~. QraaaoaW," 1 Raul, " we will go to bed. He, poor fellow, liln.MiilMi.hiil to-morrow 1 will mo the ageut, who must provide a keejcr. 1 do not want Mr Brian IM removed until 1 liave beard bil stories. It will lava my eyesight, no) | reading at uight. Good night, Janet sty nothing of this to the servants, anil do not be afraid. He is quite a gentle man, and harmless." 1 retired to my apartment, double locked the door and barricaded it, in east of accidents. Next morning 1 arose lab and descended to breakfast, which ougb to have been ready at least an hou earlier. Judge of my astonishment a finding the room in confusion, and Jane Gruesome in even greater confusion thai he apartment. " He has gone, sir " .she cried as 1 en tered the parlor. •■ Whobosgono ?" " The mad gentleman. lie must hav left in the middle of the night." •• Well," 1 replied " perhaps it i belter ; he was a nuisance. If he ha | drowned himself it is no fault of our: we are not his keepers. So let me hav breakfast, (jet the tea and coffee servic my uncle left me." '• Your uncle left them sir, but the ma gentleman didn't," sobbed Janet. "He taken 'em sir, and the silver spirit stan as well." " What 1 taken my silver service ?" " Yes sir; and every oilier piece of sil vcr and jewelry bo could find, us we 1 could bear no more, but. rushiu lo the bouse agent, told him ail abol it. " You have been done, he said, quietbj "there was u lSriareus Balcombe. Tli room only contained pictures and soui old furniture : ao partieular valm but favourites of Mr. balcombe, an so he lucks them up. Come to the pc lice." He hurried mu oil' to the polio ii spector to whom 1 related this sa history. '■Thai's Solemn Smith's work, for pound," cried the inspector, laughinj " I braid he bad been in this neignboui hood. Deuced clever fellow, could hav mndi■ a fortun the stage if he likei No doubt he found out all about tli room, and also heard—asking your pal don. sir—that you had queer crotchets, s . got into the house when it was empty picked the lock of the room, and playe the madman. I know him, sir. and wi be after him." This was years ago. And the polic arc after my mad tenant still.