1111111111AMONG the happy ambience in Liberty Square at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, there sits one cold face that is untouched by the warm glow given off by the patriotic atmosphere. Looming high over the clapboard and brick houses, shingled roofs, and gold-plated weathervanes sits an ominous presence, overlooking the town and the Rivers Of America like a ruined king.
It looks rather innocent, just a big, old Mansion. And so think the hundreds of Disney World guests milling around outside, their mouskateer hats held high in the presence of such an ominous face, such a cold, unflinching stone gaze.
On certain nights when the wind is cold and desolate and the sky is overcast with clouds, one can imagine Ichabod Crane riding past this gloomy residence to his fateful encounter with the headless horseman, unaware that other horrors lurk inside and outside, and even between the walls of this possessed manor, this sanctuary for the disembodied, this Haunted Mansion.
Looming over it's ghostly kingdom....
Guests who dare to approach this gloomy residence are treated to a courtyard of dead flowers and a fountain that once ran water, but now only runs dry. A gloomy welcoming party.... A black hearse pulled by an invisible horse... stands silently, but mockingly, as if asking "would you care to join us?". Crumbling brick columns and a huge iron fence marks your only chance to turn back.
Nearby, several small gravestones beckon you to examine them. Each and every gravestone bears a statue of the animal buried below it proudly. No doubt a burying place for the previous owner's pets.
Continuing along the wall, we come to a series of large tombs. Each one bears the name of a previous tenant of the Mansion. If we peer closley enough at the names, we can decipher the following tenant's graves:
IN SPIRITAL REPOSE
Hal Lusinashun
Bea Witch
Hap. A. Rition
Manny Festation
Metta Fiskis
Claire Voince
Wee G. Board
I. Emma Spook
Paul Tergyst
C. U. Later
Dustin T. Dust
Asher T. Ashes
M. T. Tomb
Hale n. Hardy
I. M. Ready
Love U. Trudy
I. Trudy Dew
Pearl E. Gates
Rustin Peece
1440
BLUEBEARD
here lieth his loving wives
Penelope111died 1434
Abigail111111111435
Anastasia111111436
Prudence11111111437
Pheobe111111111438
Eugenia11111111439
Lucretia11111111111111
Seven winsome wives
Some fat, some thin
Six of them were faithful
But the seventh did him in
1111111111ROUNDING a bend in the courtyard, the stone-faced house comes into view. Remote and inaccessable high atop a hill, the courtyard wraps around it, drawn in farther and father into the shade.
Four towering stories tall, the house consists of two separate wings, a bell tower, and a conservatory. At nighttime, a stage glow passes from window to window, illuminating each window briefly. A dead wreath hangs on the door, and stone planters have grown wild. At nighttime, a thundercloud hovers over the house, lightning illuminating it's peaked roof on even the clearest of nights.
1111111111PASSING through a stone crypt, we can see a small side lawn. Gravestones sit next to the entrance gate to the mansion. Peering at the overgrown stones, you might read:
Here Lies
Dear Departed Dave,
He chased a bear into a cave.
In memory of our patriarch,
Dear Departed Grandpa Marc.
Requiescat
Francis Xavier,
No time off for good behavior.
Here Lies
A man named Martin,
The lights went out on this old Spartan.
Master Gracey
Laid To Rest
No mourning please at his request
Rest in Peace
Brother Gordon
Now you've crossed the river Jordan
Rest in Peace
Cousin Huet
We all know you didn't do it
In Memorium
Uncle Myall
Here you'll lay for quite a while
Here Lies
Good Old Fred
A great big rock fell on his head
Rest in Peace
Mr. Sewell
The victim of a dirty duel
At Peaceful Rest Lies
Brother Claude
Planted here beneath this sod
After a short wait, a heavy set of oaken wood doors open. a somber maid or butler ushers us into the parlor.
This window still has a candle, errily alit, flickering in it at night..
As guests file into the dark mouth of the foyer, they perhaps heed little mind an isolated tombstone near the back of the cemetery. A stern bronze face set into the stone passivley overlooks the mortals entering her house. But look closer... do you ever feel as if you're being watched?
Dear Sweet Leota
Beloved by all
In regions beyond now
But having a ball
Now I see you, now I don't.
