Bicester.
A Ghost Story.
For some nights mysterious noises were heard in the bed-rooms of the Bell Inn, at Bicester. At times it resembled the scratchings and gnawings of a rat, and at other times knockings against a wall. In order to dislodge and bring to condign punishment the supposed noisy intruder, boards were taken up, and wood-work removed; but, alas for the peace of the house, the object of the search was not found, and the noise increased.
At length the nuisance became so annoying to some in the house as to cause them to declare they could not remain any longer in it. The police were called on to exert themselves in endeavouring to discover the cause of the noises. This they did, and succeeded in clearly tracing it to the bedroom of two young women, members of Mr Gessey’s establishment. The girls had, as it appeared, for mere amusement, created the disquietude by scratching and rapping against the wall of their chamber. An intimation that they would be taken into custody if they again played such pranks had the desired effect, and the noises have not been heard since.
Northampton Mercury, 14th May 1848.