Notes.
A Ghost at Sherwood.
It is not often that we hear of a ghost nowadays. They are curiosities that have ceased to haunt those living in busy localities, but the inviting quiet of one of the peaceful dwellings at Sherwood seemed to have enticed an invisible visitor. A gentleman living within the above district had the misfortune to be haunted in the autumn of 1873. On retiring each evening to his residence he was invariably troubled with the sound of strange noises. Wherever he went the sounds followed him, and appeared to be devised by the ghost as the best available method of annoying him. On no occasion did the unwelcome guest put in an appearance, and the gentleman was at a loss to account for the noises.
He had trusted servants whom he could not believe guilty of a joke, and the mystery became more insoluble and more disagreeable. The ghost had the merit of industry, and it was always ingenious enough to indulge its predilections when there was no chance of its individuality being ascertained. After suffering the infliction for several nights the matter became at last insufferable, and the gentleman in his dilemma then sought the able assistance of the county police.
Two officers were appointed to investigate the matter, and privately stationed themselves inside the house about the usual time the knocking began, and the officers being on the alert at last came to the conclusion that the ghost was a female one. At the suggestion of the officers a domestic was “carpeted,” and she ultimately made a confession which left no doubt as to who was the guilty party. The gentleman not appreciating this kind of practical joking discharged the girl and the house resumed its usual quietude. What was the motive of this girl in indulging in such a ridiculous trick was never understood. – B.
Nottinghamshire Guardian, 6th August 1886.