by Ambrose Bierce

Henry Saylor, who was killed in Covington, in quarrel with Antonio Finch, was reporter Cincinnati Commercial year 1859 vacant dwelling in Vine street, in Cincinnati, became the center of local excitement because strange sights and sounds said observed nightly According testimony of many reputable residents vicinity these were inconsistent with hypothesis than house was haunted Figures with something singularly unfamiliar were seen by crowds sidewalk in and out No one just where they appeared open lawn on their way front door they entered, nor at exactly what point they vanished came out; or, rather, while each spectator was positive enough about these matters, no two agreed They were all similarly at variance in their descriptions figures themselves bolder curious throng ventured on several evenings to stand doorsteps to intercept them, or failing , get nearer look at them These courageous men, said, were unable to force the door by their united strength, and always were hurled steps by some invisible agency and severely injured; the door immediately afterward opening, apparently own volition, to admit or free some ghostly guest The dwelling was known Roscoe house, family name having lived there , and then, one by one, disappeared, the last to leave being an old woman Stories of foul play and successive murders had always been rife, but never were authenticated

One day during the prevalence excitement Saylor presented himself office Commercial for orders He received note city editor which read as follows: "Go and pass the night alone haunted house in Vine street and if anything occurs worth while make two columns " Saylor obeyed his superior; afford to lose his position paper

Apprising the police intention, he effected an entrance through rear window before dark, walked deserted rooms, bare of furniture, dusty and desolate, and seating himself at last parlor on an old sofa which he had dragged in from another room watched the deepening gloom as night came on Before altogether dark the curious crowd had collected street, silent, as rule, and expectant, with here and there scoffer uttering his incredulity and courage with scornful remarks or ribald cries None knew anxious watcher inside He feared light; the uncurtained windows betrayed his presence, subjecting him to insult, possibly to injury Moreover, too conscientious anything to enfeeble his impressions and unwilling to alter any customary conditions under which the manifestations were said to occur

now dark outside, but light street faintly illuminated the part room that in He had set open every door whole interior, above and below, but all the outer ones were locked and bolted Sudden exclamations crowd caused him to spring window and look out the figure of man moving rapidly across the lawn toward the building--saw it ascend the steps; then projection wall concealed it noise as opening and closing hall door; he heard quick, heavy footsteps along the passage--heard them ascend the stairs--heard them uncarpeted floor chamber immediately overhead

Saylor promptly drew his pistol, and groping his way up the stairs entered the chamber, dimly lighted street No one was there He heard footsteps in an adjoining room and entered that dark and silent He struck his foot against some object floor, knelt , passed his hand over it human head--that of woman Lifting it hair this iron-nerved man returned half-lighted room below, carried it near the window and attentively examined it While so engaged half conscious rapid opening and closing outer door, of footfalls sounding all about him He raised his eyes ghastly object attention and saw himself the center of crowd of dimly seen; the room was thronged He thought the people had broken in

"Ladies and gentlemen," , coolly, " me under suspicious circumstances, but"--his voice was drowned in peals of laughter--such laughter as is heard in asylums insane The persons about him pointed object hand and their merriment increased as he dropped it and it went rolling among their feet They danced with gestures grotesque and attitudes obscene and indescribable They struck it with their feet, urging it room from wall to wall; pushed and overthrew one another in their struggles to kick it; cursed and screamed and sang snatches of ribald songs battered head bounded room in terror and trying to escape At last it shot door hall, followed by all, with tumultuous haste That moment the door closed with sharp concussion Saylor was alone, in dead silence

Carefully putting away his pistol, which all the time he had held hand, he went to window and looked out The street was deserted and silent; the lamps were extinguished; the roofs and chimneys houses were sharply outlined against the dawn-light east He left the house, the door yielding easily hand, and walked Commercial office The city editor was still office--asleep Saylor waked him and said: " haunted house "

The editor stared blankly as wholly awake "Good God ! " he cried, " Saylor ? "

"Yes-- ? " The editor made no answer, but continued staring

"I passed the night there--it seems," said Saylor

"They say that things were uncommonly quiet out there," the editor said, trifling with paper-weight he had dropped his eyes, "did anything occur ? "

"Nothing whatever "