Haunted Tales of Darkness - The Residence at Whitminster (An Occult Tale) by M.R.James & read by Christopher Halton

“The Residence at Whitminster” is a short ghost story by British author M.R. James. It was first published in 1919 as part of the anthology "A Thin Ghost and Others." The story unfolds in two different periods: around 1730 and a hundred years later. In the first part, the story is set in a house next to a church, originally intended to house many clergymen and other people working there. During the early 18th century, the clergyman Dr. Thomas Ashton and his wife occupied this house. They cared for two adolescent boys, Frank Sydall and Saul, the latter being the son of an Irish nobleman. Saul, known for his strange behaviour and fascination with old ruins and graveyards, and Frank dabble in the occult. Tragically, both boys die soon afterwards. In the second part of the story, set about a hundred years later, a new clergyman and his niece move into the house. The housekeeper complains about one unused bedroom being infested with insects. The niece starts seeing visions of the two boys who lived in the house a century earlier. The story is a chilling tale of the supernatural, exploring themes of the occult and the consequences of dabbling in it. It’s considered one of M.R. James’s creepier and more neglected ghost stories. Story narrated by Chris Halton. I hope you will subscribe as I intend to regularly read and release ghost stories and mysteries by classical authors of the Victorian and Edwardian eras and, of course, my own work. Why not support my work on Patreon for a mere USD 5 per month or GBP 4. Patreon:   / chrishalton