
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 the Victorian age, known for unforgettable characters, sharp humor, and a deep sympathy for ordinary people. His novels blend lively entertainment with a powerful sense of social justice, which is why they still feel vivid today.
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by Charles Dickens

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