Years ago, in the town of W——, stood an old dwelling house occupied by a Mr. C, and family. It was then used for a tavern or boarding house. A low shed or addition on the back made a dining and bed-room; the bed-room was the one occupied by travellers.

      One evening a stranger alighted and at bed-time was shown to the room to pass the night. Early next morning he arose and ordered his horse; and as he had expressed his intention of remaining a few days, it surprised Mr. C., and he asked his reason for departing so soon.

      "Well sir, to tell you the truth, I believe this house to be haunted."

      "Why?" asked the host.

      "I was awakened several time last night by three distinct raps on the house, outside, which must attribute to an invisible agency."

      "Was the noise distinct?" queried Mr. C., thinking that he must have been dreaming.

      "Quite," he answered.

      "Was at any time the number of raps more or less?" asked Mr. C.,

      "No. Three was the number repeated each successive time."

      Unable to unravel the mystery in any way, the stranger rode off, and Mr. C. forgot the occurrence.

      It happened that the room was unoccupied for a few Weeks, 'till some necessary arrangements were made; making it convenient that boarder should sleep in the room. In the night he was awakened by a noise. Three distinct taps were struck close to him, on the outside of the house. He listened a few minutes; but heard nothing more, and thinking, it must have been a fancy, he turned to sleep; but scarcely had he closed his eyes, before, tap, tap, tap was repeated seemingly closer than ever. He started bolt upright; but all was silent as before. It was mysterious. There was nothing about the house that would make a noise like that. For a long time he listened to detect, what caused it. He heard nothing until tap, tap, tap, was repeated. He was getting superstitious. It was mysterious number. Strange that it should each successive time make no mistake. Perhaps it was an hour afterwards when it was repeated. The conviction forced itself upon his mind that the house was the abode of supernatural visitants.

      He appeared pale and nervous at the breakfast table, and his friends were astonished when he said that he would change his boarding house.

      "Why?" they all asked at once.

      "I believe this house to be haunted," he replied.

      A burst of laughter followed this disclosure; but his countenance remained as grave as ever. He told his nights experience and their sallies of wit, but when his pale countenance told that it had not shook his belief, an uneasy feeling crept over them, Mr. C. related to the travellers his story and it did not tend to enlighten the mystery.

      A young man was present of a 'dare-devil' character, who said he would like to sleep in the room to have the honor of a visit from his ghostship.

      At bed time be retired, hoping that the noise would be repeated, that he might unravel the mystery. Everything was still in the house, until the clock struck twelve in another room. — Scarcely had the sound died away, before tap, tap, tap, was struck distinctly, just outside of the house, seemingly close to the corner. He arose softly and opened the window, all was dark without, and a slight noise like a cat moving away was the only sound he heard. He retired again. Again the mysterious number was repeated. — He arose; but nothing was heard without A strange feeling of dread stole ever him. An hour perhaps might have passed when tap, tap, tap, was repeated. An undefinable feeling of fear kept him from arising. Vain were his efforts to sleep. Each trial was unavailing. Again was the sound repeated. At last day appeared, the bane of ghosts, and the mystery was more mysterious than ever.

      His appearance told plainly that there was a mystery, and it was no delusion. The effect was contagious, and before night the major part of the boarders had engaged board elsewhere.

      Although Mr. C. believed that the noise proceeded from a natural cause, he sought in vain for explanations. A few weeks had passed when one morning Mrs. C. was in the garden, close to the haunted corner, when tap, tap, tap, went the mystic noise. She turned around, and the mystery was explained: A cat climbing up to the low roof, and from thence to a hole in the gable end of the building where a nest of juvenile cats were deposited, pressed against three loose weatherboarding producing three distinct raps. As she descended the noise was again repeated.

      When it was explained, many a hearty laugh was had at the expense of the poor fellows, and for many a year, the ghost of the haunted room enlivened the fireside stories of the town.