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Short Ghost Stories
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but back in the day when good old Charles (yours truly) was still in living form, these stories were all the rage. And now that you have an idea of my age, I insist that there be no teasing about it!
Oh the fun we would have sitting around our glowing hearth, clutching our wraps tightly around our shoulders as we rocked in our chairs and listened intently, hanging on every word. We took turns reading aloud as we had no infernal gadgets like TV or, heaven forbid, those new-fangled CD players! Back then the people were very good narrators and books would circulate among families, or even between neighbors.
The lights were always low—as all we had were oil lamps or candles—and it would be so quiet you could hear every creak or groan in the house as well as every chirping cricket or rustling critter outside the windows. Short ghost stories would mesmerize the whole family. We couldn’t wait until the next evening when we could hear another.
Now those were the days!
I personally invite you to the reading of these stories as some of the authors are actually very good friends of mine. They are also the favorites of many of the ghostly residents here. The authors would be delighted to know that their works are still entertaining and thrilling people decades after their time. In fact, I personally monitor this page and keep the authors informed on a regular basis.
Please enjoy these short ghost stories in the spirit in which they were intended.
Build a fire, turn down the lights and read them aloud to your friends and family. In fact, practice reading them aloud until you become a very good storyteller. Then you too will become a favorite around here.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (1812-1870). One of the most popular Christmas stories in the world was written in a matter of a few weeks and published in 1843. Dickens was considered the greatest English novelist of the Victorian era. His many volumes include David Copperfield, Bleak House, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and Our Mutual Friend.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving (1783-1859). This classic story about Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman was orginally published in 1820.
A Ghost Story by Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens 1835-1910). This classic ghost story was written in 1903. This author was well-known for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Life on the Mississippi, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
The Willows by Algernon Blackwood (1869-1951). Regarded by some to be the best ghost story in history, this is a tale about two campers who pick the wrong place to sleep for the night.
The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849). Poe was an American writer, poet, critic and editor, best known for The Raven and The Murders in the Rue Morgue.
The Empty House by Algernon Blackwood. This one is a must-read!
The Shell of Sense by Olivia Howard Dunbar. Jealousy reaches beyond the grave in this story published in 1908.
The Haunted Cove by Sir George Douglas, Bart.
The Pool in the Graveyard A short ghost story by Greville MacDonald (1916).
The Botathen Ghost A short ghost story by the Rev. S.R. Hawker.
The Goodwood Ghost The author of this short ghost story is uncertain, although it is believed to have been Charles Dickens.
A Haunted Island by Algernon Blackwood.
A Case of Eavesdropping Who needs T.V. when you have free ghost stories? Your nights just got a little spookier. Click here and read another story by Algernon Blackwood.
Keeping His Promise curl up with a good ghost story tonight. This one is perfect for a cold winter's night! It's by none other than Algernon Blackwood.
At the Gate by Myla Jo Closser. A ghost story about man's best friend.
Ligeia a ghostly love story by Edgar Allen Poe.
The Middle Toe of the Right Foot a ghostly tale about jealousy from beyond the grave. By Ambrose Bierce.
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