Haunted Mansion Stories- Medusa

Sometimes, our true selves shine through.

"Medusa"[1]

Name: Elizabeth Johnson

Born: 1816

Died: Sept 1859

            Like most people of evil character, Leota took pleasure in hurting others, especially women who had been blessed with great beauty. She herself was very attractive but in a handsome rather than an ideally graceful manner. This blow to her natural vanity was a constant goad to Leota’s temper and proved the root of many of her furies.

            After Elma Belle moved into the mansion she continued her work as a painter, taking commissions whenever possible. One of her benefactors was Lady Elizabeth Johnson.

            Every time the very elegant and very haughty Lady Johnson came for a sitting, she made a point of “mistaking” Leota for one of the household servants. This was not unusual as Mrs. Johnson treated everyone like servants and and even dismissed the Graceys as nouveaux Riche. One incident proved particularly vexing to the medium.

            As Elizabeth was leaving from yet another session with Elma she stopped and waited for Leota, who had just walked in, to help her with her cloak. Non-plussed, Leota simply glared at the woman.

            “My dear! George and Lilian have such lovely help,” said Elizabeth, “I dare say Elma should paint your portrait. It would be good practice, dealing with those unusual lines. Of course she is very good. She might be able to do something, even with you.”

Leota had never been angrier. Summoning all her powers she replied in the poisoned tongue of a jealous woman, “I’m sure Elma will be far too busy to paint me, considering all those unfortunate wrinkles and blemishes she has to hide on yours. But I know she will capture your true inner self.” Lady Johnson’s icy stare would have frozen a bonfire. Insulted beyond words, she snatched her cloak and forced her way out of the door.

            A week later the grand painting was finished but the model was unable to attend the unveiling.  In a freak accident, Elizabeth Johnson had fallen off a platform while touring one of her husband’s masonry jobs. She landed in a large vat of mortar and drowned. Nobody saw her for several hours, during which she had hardened to a grotesque statue of pain and fear.

            Thereafter Elizabeth’s portrait displayed both her outward beauty and her stone-hearted disdain, much like the famed Medusa’s hatred of all others.

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[1] Medusa image by ATIS547 Flickr.com