The stroll came first , and while my friend paused at one of the fishily-fragrant houses by the way , to interview her washerwoman , I went on to the hill-top , where a nautical old gentleman with a spy-glass , welcomed me with the amiable remark , -- `` Pretty likely place for a prospeck . '' Entering into a conversation with this ancient mariner , I asked if he knew any legend or stories concerning the old houses all about us . `` Sights of 'em ; but it aint allers the old places as has the most stories concernin ' 'em . Why , that cottage down yonder aint more 'n fifty year old , and they say there 's been a lot of ghosts seen there , owin ' to a man 's killin ' of himself in the back bedroom . '' `` What , that house at the end of the lane ? '' I asked , with sudden interest . `` Jes ' so ; nice place , but lonesome and dampish . Ghosts and toadstools is apt to locate in houses of that sort , '' placidly responded the venerable tar . The dampness scared me more than the goblins , for I never saw a ghost yet , but I had been haunted by rheumatism , and found it a hard fiend to exorcise . `` I 've taken a room there , so I 'm rather interested in knowing what company I 'm to have . '' `` Took a room , hev you ? Wal , I dare say you wo n't be troubled . Some folks have a knack of seeing sperrits , and then agin some has n't . My wife is uncommon powerful that way , but I aint ; my sight 's dreadful poor for that sort of critter . '' There was such a sly twinkle in the starboard eye of the old fellow as he spoke , that I laughed outright , and asked , sociably , -- `` Has she ever seen the ghosts of the cottage ? I think I have rather a knack that way , and I 'd like to know what to expect . '' `` No , her sort is the rappin ' kind . Down yonder the only ghost I take much stock in is old Bezee Tucker 's . He killed himself in the back bedroom , and some folks say they 've heard him groanin ' there nights , and a drippin ' sound ; he bled to death , you know . It was kep ' quiet at the time , and is forgotten now by all but a few old chaps like me .
Bezee was XXXXX civil to the ladies , so I guess he wo n't bother you , ma'am ; '' and the old fellow laughed .
Jes allers concernin first goblins groanin hill-top kep rappin toadstools