This little Haunted Mansion anthology series will be based on the stories behind the people in the stretching, changing, and staring portraits from the mansion. In some ways, it is also inspired by the concept of Rod Serling's television series Night Gallery, and the opening and closing monologues to the stories is my little tribute to Alfred Hitchcock and his television show Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Enjoy!

BURYING THE HATCHET

Good evening, and welcome to the Haunted Mansion's Gallery. Our first portrait depicts an elderly woman named Abigale Patecleaver. Here we see this delightful, old woman sitting on top of her husband's grave and holding a rose in her hand. You wouldn't think it, but this smiling woman is actually...a murderer. Yes, this gray-haired old woman who could look like anyone's grandmother, actually is a murderer. And a mostly grizzly one she is, at that. Her tale is one that involves rage, frustration, deceit, and revenge. A gruesome little tale illustrated here in this painting that we like to call: The "Grieving" Widow.

Abigale Patecleaver:

The "Grieving" Widow

(1845-1908)

The trouble all began in 1845: that was the year Abigale was born. Miss Abigale was born into the wealthy and very respected Patecleaver family. She was raised to be a prim and proper lady as it was in those days. Even though her parents were very strict about teaching her how to fit into society, Abigale still managed to have a happy childhood.

When she blossomed into a young woman at the age of 20, her parents arranged for her to wed a wealthy and respected businessman named George Gracey (Master Gracey's uncle). Abigale didn't object to the arranged marriage, and actually found George to be quite charming. It was only after the wedding that the real trouble began. Being a financially important man, George spent most of his time away from Abigale on business trips. However, when George was home, he and Abigale constantly quarreled and bickered. Most of the arguments were started by George, who would constantly badger his wife over the most minuscule things. And if he wasn't arguing with his wife, then he would tell her pointless, boring stories about his trips.

Needless to say, the couple grew isolated and bitter. Their dislike for each other soon evolved into resentment, and finally hatred. Eventually, when they would be both home, they would hardly even say two words to each other. But they continued to stay with one another, for each other's money. Abigale felt trapped by her over-bearing and short-tempered husband. She wanted to escape.

She would be granted her freedom on a warm June night in 1908. George returned home from a business trip in New York, and as usual hardly said anything to Abigale all evening. The trouble started close to midnight, after all the servants left and George and Abigale were the only ones in the house. George's box of cigars had been misplaced, and he searched furiously for them. In a rage, he accused Abigale of hiding his cigars to aggravate him and started up another one of his arguments with her. The two shouted and quarreled hysterically in one of the largest arguments they had. In a fit of rage, Abigale stormed out of the house, and into the backyard. She wanted to be rid of George once and for all.

Grabbing a hatchet from the woodcutter's shed, she snuck up behind her husband who sat in his favorite armchair, blissfully unaware of what his wife was scheming. Abigale treaded quietly behind him, and proceeded to thrust the hatchet into his skull.

She felt a rush of relief after doing the murderous deed. After 43 years, she was finally free at last. But soon her joy was washed away with a shock of reality: what was she going to do with George's body? She and George were the only ones home, and the authorities would certainly pinpoint her as the prime suspect. Abigale frantically thought of burying the body somewhere in the backyard first, but then realized that the townspeople would be curious as to why he was missing. She then proceeded to hatch another idea in her mind. She overturned furniture and scattered papers, making it appear as though there was a great struggle. She would tell the authorities that a crazed person had broke into the house, had a struggle with George, and then murdered him. After setting the scene, Abigale quickly called the police. When they came to question her, she told them she was upstairs and heard someone break open the door, followed by what sounded like a fight. She hurried downstairs and saw that the room was in shambles. She told them after coming down the staircase, she briefly witnessed a man dash quickly out the main door and into the street. Heading into the parlor, there she observed in horror the dead body of her husband with a hatchet firmly planted in his head.

Most of the community believed Abigale's fake story. They saw her as a kind, harmless old woman, and couldn't fathom that someone like her would commit such a terrible crime. However, members of the Gracey family could. They knew about the couple's arguments, and how they both resented and deeply hated each other. Many of the Graceys were sure that Abigale murdered George out of rage. They requested for a court trial, and Abigale was put on the stand.

Many people who were present at the trial, would most certainly testify that the prosecutor was merciless against Abigale. And despite there being no definitive proof that she was the murderer, members of the Gracey family refused to dismiss the case. Eventually, the judge and the jury acquitted her due to lack of evidence.

Now a "widow" and a free woman, Abigale was overjoyed. Although, she kept her happiness secret, and put up a sad and grief-stricken front when around friends and relatives. She legally changed her name, back to her maiden name Patecleaver to be rid of the reminder that she was once George's wife. But, her happiness would not last long. Her joy would actually cause her demise.

Two weeks after George's death, the now Widow Patecleaver visited the cemetery to supposedly place a rose atop his grave. At least, that's what she told her servants. Abigale's real reason was so she could have the "final insult" against him. Alone in the cemetery, she approached her late husband's grave and let out her anger and hatred against the man. She proceeded to kick the bust of his head at the tomb's base repeatedly. Happily, she stomped upon her husband's plot and kicked the fresh dirt in a fury, gleefully mocking and spiting the deceased man. And all the while she shouted at the dead man, "You don't deserve peaceful rest!" She then climbed atop the high grave and mockingly sat upon it, proving to herself that at last she had finally got even with George.

However, Miss Patecleaver's happiness was only momentarily. She leaned took far backward and lost her balance, toppling off the high grave. She landed on the hard ground, with her neck broken and twisted from the fall.

Poor Miss Patecleaver. I'm glad this is just a written story, and you didn't have to witness the horrible sight of her body. I mean, it was a terrible fall she took, I think her neck broke immediately. It's hard to describe, the...twisting of the neck...well, I don't think I'll dwell upon it. But, even though she was a murderer, you have to sympathize with her. I mean, she was married to this uncaring man who constantly picked arguments with her for 43 years. Surely, that would make anyone snap. But as always, the criminal typically never gets away with the crime. And some might even say that since she fell off George's tomb, he got his revenge even after death.

The name "Abigale Patecleaver" came from an early 1968 draft of the Haunted Mansion script written by X. Atencio.