Todd shivered, still pointing at the portrait.
And a ghost will follow you home! he said, and his words werent light. He was truly unnerved.
He was a horrible man, but hes long gone, Allison said, surprised that the would-be cool preteen now seemed more like a scared schoolboy.
He isnt gone, Todd said. Hehe looked at me.
Despite herself, Allison felt a chill. She tried to tell herself the boy was trying to tease her, play off the situation and get her to slip an arm around him.
But he wasnt playing any games. He appeared really frightened.
Its the way the portraits painted, Allison assured him, but she found herself staring up at Bradley again. She never came into this room when she was alone, locking up and setting the alarms for the night. She always stood in the doorway, glanced in and moved on. While the house was equipped with a modern alarm system, they were supposed to make sure no visitors tried to stay on to defy the ghosts of the mansion.
Legend had it that Beast Bradley had thrust his knife straight into the heart of Lucy Tarleton in the grand salon; hed killed her there while her father had wept for her life and been forced to watch. To add to the cruelty of the act, hed left Angus Tarleton alive to hold his dying daughter. According to historyin this case, the accounts that were handed down by the survivorsBrian Bradley hadnt killed Lucy for her patriot escapades. Hed killed her because hed discovered she was false to him, that she wasnt in love with him at all.
Before the arrival of the British, Lucy was about to become betrothed to another patriot, Stewart Douglas, who had fled the city with other American soldiers. It was a sad tale, one Allison would share in a few minutes when shed gathered her people in the foyer again.
Todd, this is a creepy picture of a man who was apparently a monster, which had far more to do with him than with the fact that he was British. Horrendous incidents, beyond any code of warfare, have taken place during just about every conflict in history. But the British werent monsters, and neither were the colonists. Most of the evidence we have says that Bradley did behave abominably, and
How did he die? Todd asked her.
Actually, no one knows, but its presumed that he was killed in the fighting soon after the British abandoned the city. Howe was furious with him for his brutal actions in Philadelphia. They argued before the Battle of Saratoga, and he disappeared from history, Allison said. A few letters that mention him have been preserved, and some suspect he might have been killed by his own men. Those letters suggest he was a brutal commander, as well. Way, way, way back, he was related to the Royal House of Hanover, and he seemed to think he was entitled to his behavior through the divine right of kingseven though he was certainly not a king and never going to be one.
Hes still here, Todd whispered. Hes still here.
She did set an arm around his shoulders. Allison was about five-ten in her two-inch Colonial pumps, giving her a bit of height over him. Todd, that was then, and this is now, and you need to see the rest of the house, learn about the history, and have fun with your family tonight. The historic tavern restaurants, where they serve in Colonial garb and entertain with flutes and old jokes, are really fun. Youll enjoy that.
He shook his head, gazing at the painting as if drawn to it.
She led him firmly from the study. What happened to the house after the British left? he asked.
Angus died a year after his daughter. She had a younger sister, Sophia, who married a fine American soldier, Tobias Dandridge, and they inherited the house. Its now owned by a private corporation called Old Philly History, and theres still a descendent on the board of governors. The house stayed in the family until 1930, when the owner formed this corporation. Thats why so many of the original family pieces have been preserved.
Shed managed to get Todd back into the foyer, and she smiled at him as she related the history of the house shed just given him.
Now, the upstairs. Well go up together and Ill wait in the hall while you look in all the rooms, Allison said cheerfully. The master bedroom is at the far end of the house, but the one everyone finds most interesting is Lucys room, on the right side of the staircase. She and her sister both had grand rooms with large dressing rooms. Theres a 1700s tub in Lucys room, which is authentic to the house.
She sent them off and waited, watching Todd. He ignored all the rooms except for Lucys.
He came back to stand by her. I saw her picture on the wall. Lucys picture. You look like her.
I think a lot of women do when theyre dressed like her, Allison said.
Todd nodded solemnly. Maybe. But you mostly. He studied her for a moment and then whispered, Someone else died in the study, right?
She shouldnt have been surprised. After all, the family had gone on a ghost tour last night. Though the house itself was closed to these ghost tours, they all walked by it and embellished the tales that went along with it. Personally, she thought the truth was far more haunting than anything they could make up.
A lieutenant who fought in the War of 1812 came here when he was wounded, and he died soon after. Another soldier on the Union side in the Civil War also died in that room. And yes, one of the Dandridge girls died there in 1890she took poison to commit suicide.
And a few years ago, one of you was found dead in the room, right? Todd asked her, wide-eyed.
Im going to give all this information when the tour gathers again, she told him.
Right? he persisted. She felt acutely uncomfortable. Every old house had its history. Naturally some of it was sad and even distressing.
Angela Wilson did die in that room. She had a heart attack while locking up one night.
Todd regarded her solemnly. She died sitting at Angus Tarletons desk, didnt she?
Yes, Todd, she did. She sat downshe must have been winded. Like I said, she died there of a heart attack.
And somebody else died in the house, too, Todd said. A couple of years ago.
She inhaled a deep breath. Yes, she admitted. It was really a tragedy. A young college student decided to hack into the alarm system. The police believe he was pledging for a fraternity. He tried to break in and did something wrong with the alarm, and he was electrocuted. Everyone involved with the house was appalled, but
And there was another guy. The woman on our ghost tour told us. One of the curators or guides or whatever youre called.
That was in 1977. He fell down the steps and broke his neck, Allison said.
Fell? Or was pushed? I bet Beast Bradley pushed him!
Oh, Todd. Beast Bradleys been gone for over two centuries. Hes not hanging around here trying to kill people. Allison shook her head. The house has been here for a long time, and over time, bad things happen.
Todd frowned at her. I think he is. I think he wanted to stay in Philadelphia, and he wanted to marry Lucy Tarleton, but she hated him. So he killed her, but he still didnt want to leave the house. It was supposed to be his house. So he came back here when he died. And now he kills people!
There was something about the boys insistence that made Allison uncomfortable. She loved the house, and she loved working here. She didnt need this job; shed gotten her degrees in history and was a college lecturer who also wrote articles and was currently doing research for a book. She worked at the house because she loved the people part of history, loved understanding the realities and nuances of everyday life far more than dates and figures. Shed grown up farther down on Chestnut Street and had admired this place all her life, and as a result she could answer questions that few others could. Shed respected the house, and shed never wanted to sensationalize it by writing ghost stories. Like any historical place, it had an aura about it. She felt that same aura standing next to the Liberty Bell or when she went into Independence Hall, or any of the sites around the world where people had once lived and passionately taken part in the shaping of destiny. She couldnt believe that Todd was suddenly making her afraid of this house.
There was something about the boys insistence that made Allison uncomfortable. She loved the house, and she loved working here. She didnt need this job; shed gotten her degrees in history and was a college lecturer who also wrote articles and was currently doing research for a book. She worked at the house because she loved the people part of history, loved understanding the realities and nuances of everyday life far more than dates and figures. Shed grown up farther down on Chestnut Street and had admired this place all her life, and as a result she could answer questions that few others could. Shed respected the house, and shed never wanted to sensationalize it by writing ghost stories. Like any historical place, it had an aura about it. She felt that same aura standing next to the Liberty Bell or when she went into Independence Hall, or any of the sites around the world where people had once lived and passionately taken part in the shaping of destiny. She couldnt believe that Todd was suddenly making her afraid of this house.
Like I said, bad things happen, Todd, and they happen everywhere. Thats why we go through life trying to drive properly, cross the street only when the light is green and take care of our healthbecause human beings are fragile. She smiled. I work here three days a week, and sometimes more, and nothing has ever happened to me. I usually close up by myself, too, and Im just fine. And Ive never seen a ghost.
Todd looked at her oddly. He likes you. He might not always like you, but he likes you right now. He likes women.
The way the boy spoke was unsettling, and she told herself he was heading back toward being a raunchy preteen, acting in a manner that was natural for his age.
His mother walked up to them a moment later. Im Todd and Jimmys mom, Haley Dixon, she said. Im so sorry if the boys have been bothering you. As youve probably heard, we did the ghost tour last night. There are all kinds of stories about this place, and theyre boys, and Her voice trailed off.
Mrs. Dixon, Todds been asking me about the house, and hes a good listener, Allison said.
Haley Dixon smiled at her son. Todd, Im glad youre curious, but we have to leave Ms. Leigh alone and allow her to give everyone her information at the same time.
She seemed a pleasant woman, and a good parent, slightly at a loss as to what to do with a couple of boys. Her husband, viewing some of the portraits on the wall, turned. Grinning, he came over to join them, slipping an arm around his wife. Artie Dixon, Ms. Leigh. You do a wonderful tour. Forgive my sons, please, if theyre too inquisitive.
No such thing in this house, Allison assured him. But she stepped back to include her whole group. All right, everyone, gather around and Ill give you all the grisly details on some of the sad and tragic occurrences here, since it seems the ghost story guides are beating us to it.
She told them about the soldiers, then reminded them, In the past, many women died in childbirth. It was the norm to have your baby at home, so several of them died here. Many family members died of illness or simply of old age. Remember, all human beings are mortal and leave this world in some fashion! She tried to speak lightly, looking at Todd. Now, were going down the rear steps to the old food preparation room, and then well head to the back to see the outbuildings.
Allison managed to get her group out to the yard. The property still consisted of about an acre, with the majority of the grounds in the back. The kitchen stood off to her left, behind the dining room, with a covered path between them. It was a one-room kitchen, large with a massive hearth and spit and a multitude of rafters from which pans and cooking utensils hung. Glass-frosted cupboards showcased the familys fine china and several sets of silverware, and one of her group murmured that it was probably the most complete example of an upper-class Colonial kitchen shed ever seen.
They went across another, broader path to the carriage house. There were no horses now, but there were stalls and tack and three eighteenth-century carriages. As Allison let the group look at them more closely, Haley Dixon came up to her.
Theres a ghost horse here, too, or so they said last night, she told Allison, sounding a little apologetic.
Allison sighed. Firewalker. He brought Stewart Douglas racing back to the house, heedless of the British after he heard that Bradley had threatened Lucy. Stewart was the man she really loved. Shed urged him to take the horse after he snuck into the city to see her once, because Firewalker was such an exceptional stallion he could sail through enemy lines. Firewalker was born and bred on the property, and carried Lucy Tarleton on many of her journeys in the middle of the night, when she rode out to bring information to the Revolutionary troops. He survived the war and lived to a ripe old age, then died here in the arms of Lucys sister, which means, of course, that we have a ghost horse. We have a ghost hound, too. With the imaginative name of Robert. He was Lucys, and when Bradley went to kill her, the hound tried to kill him. Naturally, the dog died, as well. We probably even have haunted squirrels, Allison said.
Haley Dixon laughed. I guess. Its strange. The house is strange because so much happened in it. Im not sure I could hang around here alone at night.
Allison shrugged, smiling. You get used to it, really.
She announced to her group that shed show them the graveyard next.
The family burial ground was a popular destination. Lucy Tarleton herself lay in a handsome private Tarleton crypt in a beautifully sculpted tomb. Allison described the workmanship and explained that it was common for wealthy families to have their own graveyards. She noted that Todd didnt want to be in the cemetery; she was shocked to realize that she was anxious to end the tour herself.
It was finally time to usher her people out, but Allison was still disturbed by the way Todd looked at her as he left with his family. They were the last ones out the back gate, and he lingered. A ghost cant follow you home, can it? he asked in a whisper.
I dont think so. I mean, if we do have ghosts, I imagine theyd just hang around here. Have fun tonight! Pinch a tavern wench somewhere, okay?
He grinned at her. You dont mean that.
No. Shed slap you. But go forth and have fun and be a kid!
When they were gone at last, she hurried into the house through the back door. She found Jason Lawrence in their small employee quarters behind the main pantry.
He had removed his Colonial garb and was wearing jeans and a T-shirt that promoted his favorite band.
Hey, you holding up okay? he asked her.
Yes, but its nice when four people actually work on the busy days, Allison said. We couldve used Julian. I understand why Annette had to gopoor thing. She looked like she was in so much pain.
Jason was an attractive young man, about three years her junior at the ripe old age of twenty-four. Theyd been friends since theyd met, and although they had great chemistry together, it wasnt sexual. They were friends. He raised his brows and let out a sigh. We may all love him for being a clown and a prankster, but Julian can also be a total pain in the ass, he said. He thinks hes going to get rich and famousand that were all going to be grateful just to have known him. But you have to speak to him or to Sarah or someone else on the board, because this isnt fair.