Great Aunt Luna's Charleston Ghost Tale!

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Are you ready for a ghost story?

The house in the above picture brings to mind a visit with my Great Aunt Luna in Charleston. After one of the trips to see her and Great Uncle Mac, my Grandma told me a ghost story. There were many stories evidently, they had many ghosts in that home.

The Ghost Dragging Chains in Charleston Story

One night Grandma Cora and Great Aunt Luna were sleeping.  Great Uncle Mac was on a ship as he was the cook. He had to work that night. The two ladies were home alone. They had talked a little while and then went off to sleep.

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Something woke them from a deep sleep. Someone was loudly bamming on the front door! She said, "It was as if they were very angry!"  They thought, "What, who in the world is that?" 

She and Grandma went quietly to see who it was and what was happening.  Aunt Luna asked who it was but got no answer.  It was a man. He just stood there bamming on the door. The two of them ran quickly back to the bedroom and covered their heads. 

This was a long time ago when there were no cell phones. I don't even think there was a phone in the house. 

They shook and shushed each other trying to be quiet hoping he would just go away. Eventually, all was quiet so they went back off to sleep.

Not sure how long afterward but they were awakened again. This time by the sound of someone walking heavily inside the house!  They could hear heavy footsteps and he was dragging big chains!  The sound of the chains being pulled was so loud!  

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The heavy walking and chains dragging across the floors scared the living daylights out of them! They still hid under the covers holding their breath and feeling their heartbeats beating almost out of their chests! 

Closer and closer it came until it stopped at the bedroom doorway! Oh gosh, will it just go away?  

Grandma Cora slowly peeked at the doorway and thought she saw a shadow. She quickly covered her head again! 

It became silent so they both breathed a sigh of relief. Both hoped the long almost sleepless night was coming to an end. It would be daylight soon it just had to be!

All of a sudden the walking and dragging began again until he reached their bedside! Lying there they knew this was the end! It had to be they had nowhere to go! What were they to do? 

He sat down on the bed and fell back onto their legs! He was heavy and the chains were still dragging across the floor as he pulled some of it up on the bed with him. They then heard something crash onto the floor as if he had something in his hand and dropped it!  

Aunt Luna peeked outside of the covers to see if she could see anything and nothing was there! Nothing could be seen. It could only be felt by both of them!

Then it was silent for the longest time. They just lay there frightened and still. 

After a while, he got up and walked away.  They could hear as he went out of the bedroom door down the hall and then out the front door!

Both ladies breathed sighs of relief!  He was gone and they were alive! Thank God they were alive! They both heard it but saw nothing!

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Great Uncle Mac returned home after a day of cooking aboard the ship. They soon told him about their adventures during the night. He was not surprised at all! 

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He told them, "Oh that was "So n So" he has been known to visit the crewmates from the ships. He had died.  I think he fell overboard. He was a known drinker so they assumed he had too much to drink one night and fell overboard. Evidently, he had some chains with him because he certainly had them the night he visited Grandma and Aunt Luna.

Did you enjoy the story?  They swear it was true and I believe them.  I have more I may tell you someday

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I say ghost stories but my ancestors called them haints.  The reason for my painting my front porch ceiling 'haint blue'.  Mind you I didn't paint the back porch ceiling.  I may want some of the good ones to come on in.  Good ones you may say.  Well good in the fact that they don't scare me.  Some actually bring comfort.

You may say Dolly you see ghosts?  The answer would be yes, yes I do!

I don't understand it and probably never will, but some of my family see and hear strange things.  It must be an inherited trait...(I'll call it that anyway).

When fear hits with a visit I pray to the Lord, in whom I do believe

Then all is well!

Now you have a good night ya hear?