The following case, from "Proceedings," vol. viii. p. 178, bears a
distinct resemblance to the old-fashioned ghost stories. Mrs M., the
informant, writes under date 15th December 1891:
"Before relating my experience of having seen a ghost, I should
like my readers thoroughly to understand that I had not the
slightest idea that the house in which my husband and I were
living was haunted, or that the family residing there for many
years before us had had any family troubles. The house was
delightfully situated [etc.]. The house being partly new and
partly old we occupied the old part for our sleeping
apartments. There were two staircases leading to them, with a
landing and window, adjoining a morning sitting-room. One night
on retiring to my bedroom about 11 o'clock, I thought I heard a
peculiar moaning sound, and someone sobbing as if in great
distress of mind. I listened very attentively, and still it
continued; so I raised the gas in my bedroom, and then went to
the landing window of which I have spoken, drew the blind
aside; and there on the grass was a very beautiful young girl
in kneeling posture before a soldier, in a general's uniform,
sobbing and clasping her hands together, entreating for pardon;
but alas! he only waved her away from him. So much did I feel
for the girl, that without a moment's hesitation I ran down the
staircase to the door opening upon the lawn, and begged her to
come in and tell me her sorrow. The figures then disappeared!
Not in the least nervous did I feel then;--went again to my
bedroom, took a sheet of writing paper and wrote down what I
had seen. [Mrs M. has found and sent us this paper. The
following words are written in pencil on a half sheet of
notepaper:--"March 13th, 1886. Have just seen visions on
lawn:--a soldier in general's uniform,--a young lady kneeling
to him. 11.40 P.M."] My husband was away from home when this
event occurred, but a lady friend was staying with me, so I
went to her bedroom and told her that I had been rather
frightened by some noises;--could I stay with her a little
while? A few days afterwards I found myself in a very nervous
state; but it seemed so strange that I was not frightened at
the time.
"It appears the story is only too true. The youngest daughter
of this very old proud family had had an illegitimate child;
and her parents and relatives would not recognise her again,
and she died broken-hearted. The soldier was a near relative
(also a connection of my husband's); and it was in vain she
tried to gain his--the soldier's--forgiveness. [In a subsequent
letter Sir X. Y.'s career is described. He was a distinguished
officer.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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