Your Furniture May Be Haunted!
So comes the warning from writer of spooky stories, Catherine Cavendish. Her latest novella, The Second Wife, is out today – so I asked her to come over and tell us about it. It’s not Cat’s second coming, she’s been a regular here as she’s been pretty successful in getting published over the last year. Welcome, Cat!
Catherine Cavendish
Buyer Beware! Your Furniture May Be Haunted!
In my latest paranormal novella, The Second Wife, my main character, Chrissie Marchant, is haunted by the unquiet spirit of her husband’s first wife. A chair and a stunning photograph of the lady in question feature strongly. But is this all pure fiction? Or should you think twice before buying that antique chest or bedroom suite? Here’s a sample of artefacts that should probably never again see the light of day…
The Haunted ‘Conjure’ Chest
Over 150 years ago, an African American slave called Hosea was ordered by his master, Jacob Cooley, to build him a chest to be used by his first-born child.
Hosea created a fine carved chest but, for some reason, it did not please his exacting master who beat him mercilessly until he lay dead.
Hosea was mourned by Cooley’s other slaves who vowed revenge on their terrible master. Together with a ‘conjure man’, they sprinkled dried owl’s blood in the chest which they then cursed. They didn’t have to wait long for their first result, as Jacob Cooley’s beloved first-born son perished in infancy.
To date, a total of 17 deaths have been attributed to this piece of antique furniture and, even though legend states that the curse was eventually removed, the present owners have stored it in the Kentucky History Museum. The only thing the chest contains is an envelope. Stuffed with owl feathers.
The Mysterious School Desk
For this next artifact, I am indebted to http://www.johnzaffisparanormalmuseum.com/#!
John is an avid collector of allegedly haunted items. One of the items in his collection is this ordinary looking, old-fashioned school desk. Nothing remarkable about it, you would think. But you wouldn’t have thought it so ordinary if you had been there on the day it was transported to John’s museum.
Its former home was a college campus, but its presence unnerved some of the students. Before it could be moved, and during John’s paranormal investigation of it, the desk suddenly slid across the floor – while someone was actually sitting in it!
The Ghostly Bedroom Suite
Not content with one piece of haunted furniture, Sarah Forbes had an entire bedroom suite that she put up for sale because it gave her the creeps. “It has been in my family for about 200 years. There are multiple spirits that come through it. They touch you, wake you and move your things. You can see faces in the wood…” As a child, she says she thought nothing of the strange figures who would mysteriously waft in and out of her bedroom at night. You can read more about her strange story at
http://www.ghoststudy.com/new2/furniture.html
You’ll find many more mysterious stories like this on the internet. But now, I’ve got you in the mood for ghostly tales, here’s the blurb for The Second Wife:
Emily Marchant died on Valentine’s Day. If only she’d stayed dead…
When Chrissie Marchant first sets eyes on Barton Grove, she feels as if the house doesn’t want her. But it’s her new husband’s home, so now it’s her home as well. Sumptuous and exquisitely appointed, the house is filled with treasures that had belonged to Joe’s first wife, the perfect Emily, whom the villagers still consider the real mistress of Barton Grove.
A stunning photograph of the first Mrs. Marchant hangs in the living room, an unblemished rose in her hand. There’s something unnerving and impossibly alive about that portrait, but it’s not the only piece of Emily still in the house. And as Chrissie’s marriage unravels around her, she learns that Emily never intended for Joe to take a second wife…
The Second Wife is available now from:
You can find Cat here:
http://www.facebook.com/CatherineCavendish
www.goodreads.com as Catherine Cavendish
http://twitter.com/#!/cat_cavendish
Steve Emmett 
Thank you Steve!
My pleasure!
I’ve encountered some antiques I won’t buy because they give me the creeps. Likewise, I’ve encountered some I’m drawn to touch, then hold, then buy because they fill me with a sense of peace or curiosity. I have a buffet in my dining room made from an old porch rail that’s kind of neutral. Most of the items on it also are neutral. But one teapot with a missing lid is just full of love. Once I held it in my hands, I couldn’t leave it in the store. Fortunately, it wasn’t expensive. Of course, that kind of thing wouldn’t interest you, would it, Catherine? : – )
I think the notion of a teapot that spreads love all around would make for an excellent ghost story for children. Your next assignment, Angela… Thank you for commenting!
Brings a whole new meaning to witch piss!
I’ll keep that in mind if I ever decide to write a story for children, Catherine. Or, if you want to take a sideways step, feel free to use it. : – )
Steve, I have NEVER heard that expression.
Really? If someone serves you vile tea, usually weak as water, it is referred to as witch piss.
I’ll make special note of that one. I assume it’s a British expression? Right now I’m trying to write in Scottish accent and vernacular based on my TWO WHOLE WEEKS of experience in the country. But that expression could find it’s way into the story. : – )
Angela I strongly recommend you watch this: http://youtu.be/0fw_2waRx7s May help with the Scots tongue.
SCARY!!!!!
I have a ceiling fan that is doing strange things thats the only way I can discribe it. Im trying to find out what to do with it. I cant take it down because I dont own the Apt I live in. Any advice? Id appreciate it.
Disconnect it from all power sources, if you haven’t already done so. I’m no expert on this sort of phenomena I’m afraid. Maybe you could approach your landlord and ask if he/she minds you taking it down? Sorry I can’t be more help. Hope it’s all resolved very soon
Ill diconnect power, but it isnt running, It’s taking on strange shapes in the middle of the night, Like a big spider coming down on me. I know sounds like Im dreaming or on drugs HA, but i assure Im not. My land lord would never understand, he’s an older man and a minister or deakin or something at his church. If you think of any thing else please let me know. Ill just keep looking. Thanks so much. Dale.