The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SPIRIT OF THE HOUSE

ITALIANS BELIEVE THAT EVERY HOUSEHOLD HAS A GOOD SPIRIT,
OR GHOST. THE INFORMANT SAYS THAT SHE WAS LYING AWAKE
IN BED LATE ONE NIGHT ABOUT 35 YEARS AGO. SHE HEARD A
CREAKING NOISE OUTSIDE THE DOOR OF THE BEDROOM AND SAW
THE FIGURE OF THE WOMAN WITH DARK HAIR AND A WHITE
NIGHTGOWN GLIDE BY INTO THE LIVING ROOM. SHE THOUGHT
ONE OF HER FOUR DAUGHTERS HAD COME DOWNSTAIRS, BUT SHE
HAD HEARD NO ONE ON THE STAIRWAY. MRS. TROIANI GOT OUT
OF BED AND WENT INTO THE LIVING ROOM. THERE WAS NO ONE
THERE. SHE THEN WENT UPSTAIRS AND FOUND ALL FOUR
DAUGHTERS FAST ASLEEP. THE DAUGHTERS INSIST STILL THAT
THEY DID NOT GO DOWNSTAIRS THAT NIGHT. MRS. TROIANI
BELIEVES THAT SHE SAW THE "SPIRIT OF THE HOUSE."

Where learned: NEW YORK ; AUBURN

Date learned: 12-00-1971