The Ghost's Summons

by Ada Buisson

It was common for the ghostly tales in periodicals to be narrated by domestic servants. In Gaskell’s “The Old Nurse’s Story,” for example, the nurse has intimate access to the family but remains outside of their confidence. In this dramatic tale, a rich man employs a doctor to serve in a similar role; the doctor witnesses a confusing, uncanny scene, but he remains ignorant of the full story. The scant details of the scene merely suggest the story behind an unusual deathbed, one that seems to have been brought about by an act both premeditated and unavenged. This story originally appeared in Belgravia in January 1868.

[(Synopsis pulled from "The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories" edited by Tara Moore)]

Genres: Short Stories, Horror, Gothic

6 pages, Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 1868

About the author

Ada Buisson (26 March 1839 – 27 December 1866) was an English author and novelist remembered today for her ghost stories.

Source: Wikipedia

Reviews

[PinkPanthress · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young Physician is trying to make ends meet around Christmas time when a sickly, tired and scared man offers him 1.000 £ if the Medicus does him a favour.

At first he pities the man and only accepts because of the money, but soon enough we see, that the sick man might be onto something… maybe. 💀

Ada Buisson, franco-british Author of the victorian Era and in my opinion an early 27 Club member did a good job here of writing a story with a nice twist at the end! 🕯️

A short story of ~5.5 pages (~18.5 minutes).
I give this a 3 Star Rating, a nice starter into the new Year.

If you want to read or listen to this short story, here are the Links.
For your ears -> »The Ghost’s Summons« @ Youtube
For your eyes -> »The Ghost’s Summons« @ spl.org

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[ناني ماكفي]

A short story of a wealthy man buying the witness of a stranger to attend his horrible death

[Lady Megan Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today's ghostly tale comes from Ada Buisson, an author I'd never actually heard of before coming across this story. I plan to read more of her work, though sadly, there isn't much of it, as she died very young. In her short 27 years, she did produce two novels and several short stories, including this one, which I think is quite a gem.

In "The Ghost's Summons" a young doctor, just starting out, is struggling to attract patients and earn a living, when he is visited by a stranger. The man appears to be in agony, but he is not ill. He is gripped by terror. He offers the young doctor £1,000 to attend to a death bed. When the doctor inquires as to whose death bed it would be, the man replies it will be his own, as he is certain he will be dead that same night.

This story is short, sharp, and a shocker. No long histories or family trees or confusing plots -- three characters, three scenes, and an ending that slams like a car door.

[Forked Radish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summonses are often solicitations.

[Augurey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story that kept me intrigued until the end, which was very unexpected.

[Cecilia Colombani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un po’ stringato come racconto. Niente di memorabile.