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 sewing room; it adjoins the dining room, and the parlor,
and has a door open