
Transcribed from the 1894 Chapman and Hall edition of “Christmas Stories” by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org
In the first tale, a weary traveller steps off a night train into a quiet countryside, drawn to a solitary house that seems utterly ordinary under a crisp autumn sky. The narrative unfolds with a peculiar fellow passenger, a goggle‑eyed man obsessively noting every nuance, whose cryptic remarks hint at unseen forces at work. As the protagonist approaches the house, the mundane landscape suddenly feels charged with an invisible presence, setting the stage for a classic Victorian ghostly encounter.
The story balances detailed description of the English countryside with subtle, unsettling dialogue, inviting listeners to feel both the comfort of a country walk and the chill of something beyond sight. Dickensian humor flickers in the narrator’s witty exchanges, while the mysterious notes in the stranger’s notebook suggest a deeper, perhaps spiritual, intrigue. This opening promises a slow‑burning haunt that relies on atmosphere more than overt horror, perfect for those who enjoy a thoughtful, eerie listening experience.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (115K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Apr 1, 1998
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1812–1870
A master storyteller of Victorian England, Charles Dickens brought unforgettable characters, sharp humor, and powerful social criticism to novels such as Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, and Great Expectations. His vivid portraits of hardship and hope still resonate with readers around the world.
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