Chardstock.
A ghostly visitor.
Recently the peace of the mind of the good people o fChardstock has undergone some perturbation in consequence of the belief held by many of them that hovering about their midst, or, to be precise, taking up his or her abode in an empty house, is a “ghost.” The mysterious visitor has been in the village for some little time now, and a considerable number of the inhabitants stoutly aver that they have seen it, some several times, but it has not transpired that their impression of the spirit, if such it be, has improved on further acquaintance.
Our correspondent has unfortunately not been able to secure an interview with the “ghost”: indeed, he is reluctantly compelled to admit that he has not even placed his eyes upon it. Therefore he is not in a position to describe the visitant from an eye-witness’s standpoint. Glowing descriptions of the ghost have, however, been given by those who say they have cuaght a glimpse of it, but it would appear that eithe rthe ghost when seen has been in a hurry, probably to keep another appointment, or that he was of an uncommunicative disposition and did not vouchsafe to enter into converse.
The nerves of the inhabitants have been put to a somewhat severe test, as may be gathered when it is stated that the hair on the head of a man whic had refused to grow in any other fashion than in grizzly curls, stood bolt upright when he caught sight of the visitor. Unless his power sof vision deceived him, the ghost gave him the impression of being in the shape of a lamb, but it was only a momentary glance, for it disappeared in next to no time. From sounds which followed it would seem the “ghost” was gambolling playfully up the chimney and round an upper room.
There is a strong idea among some of the villagers tha tthe house is bewitched, whatever that may mean. It is certain the inhabitants think there is something uncanny about the whole business, and nerve irritation compels them, after dark, to look behind doors, in cupboards, under beds, and other likely places where a “ghost” might locate himself. Hitherto he has decelined to go to any other house than the empty one, though the spirit has not been above walking along the village roads at night.
Pulman’s Weekly News and Advertiser, 10th March 1896.
Chardstock.
A Ghost.
An empty house in this village has, if we may believe the stories prevalent, at last secured a tenant, though whether the tenant be man, woman, child, or even a lamb, seems uncertain. Sounds have been heard to emanate from the house, and efforts have been made to identify them and th eanimal that has caused them, but hitherto without success. So mysterious, indeed, is the affair tha tthose who have failed to penetrate the veil aver there must be a ghost in the house .One man asserts that he saw “it” and that the apparition caused his hair to “stand on end,” but that the spirit vanished into thin air ere he had recovered his nerve. Others state that they have seen th eghost, but as yet no man has succeeded in making a closer acquaintance with the mysterious spook. We are anxiously waiting further details.
Chard and Ilminster News, 14th March 1896.