Halloween Month continues here at Balladeer’s Blog with this look at some ghost stories from over a hundred years ago.
FROM OUT OF THE SILENCE: SEVEN STRANGE STORIES (full title) (1920) – Written by Lady Bessie Kyffin-Taylor. The stories are:
OUTSIDE THE HOUSE – A veteran of World War One (called the World War or the Great War at the time), who lost the use of a leg during the conflict, at last meets his fiancé’s relatives, the Falconer family. They are gracious hosts but aggressively warn the man to never leave the house after dark. Only at sunrise is it safe to venture out.
Hearing odd, menacing sounds outside during the night, and intrigued by the way even the windows are blocked off after dark, the man disregards the warning and goes outside one night to investigate. While walking the eerie, moonlit grounds of the estate he learns why no one leaves the house at night. Continue reading
THE DUST CLOUD (1912) – Halloween Month continues here at Balladeer’s Blog with a look at this tale written by British author E.F. Benson. The story deals with a ghostly automobile and for me the 1912 setting and several macabre touches give it a certain charm that makes it irresistible. 
After-dinner conversation about the finer points of assorted automobiles turns to Harry’s late friend Guy Elphinstone, another car enthusiast. Elphinstone was a singularly unpleasant man and often spitefully drove over chickens and rabbits who got in his way as he flew along the roadways. 
THE GHOST GARDEN (1918) – Written by female author Amelie Rives. This story starts out in Colonial Virginia. Melany Horsemanden was almost legendary for her beauty but also for her mean-spirited nature and casual cruelty. 
THE GALLOWS MAN – This is another neglected American horror legend which has been presented in many different versions over the years. Ralph Sutherland was born in 1702 in either New York City or a town near the Catskills, depending on the version. 
Balladeer’s Blog’s month-long celebration of Halloween continues … 
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