"Pretty likely place for a prospect."
After replying to what he said, I asked the old gentleman if he knew any legend or stories about the old houses all around us.
"Yes, many of them," he replied; "and it isn't always the old places that have the most stories about 'em.
"Why, that cottage down yonder isn't more'n fifty years old, and they do say there's been a lot of ghosts seen there, owin' to a man's killin' of himself in the back bed-room."
"What! that house at the end of the lane?" I asked, with sudden interest.
"Just so; nice place, but lonesome and dampish. Ghosts and toadstools are apt to locate in houses of that sort," was his mild reply.
The dampness scared me more than the ghosts, for I had never seen a ghost yet; but I had been haunted by rheumatism, and found it a hard thing to get rid of.
"I've taken a room there, so I'm rather interested in knowing what company I'm to have."
"Taken a room, have you? Well, I dare say you won't be troubled. Some folks have a knack of seeing spirits, and then again some haven't.
"My wife is uncommon powerful that way, but I an't; my sight's dreadful poor for that sort."