["","THE\tDAMNED\tTHING BY\tAMBROSE\tBIERCE I ONE\tDOES\tNOT\tALWAYS\tEAT\tWHAT\tIS\tON\tTHE\tTABLE By\tthe\tlight\tof\ta\ttallow\tcandle\twhich\thad\tbeen\tplaced\ton\tone\tend\tof\ta\trough table\t a\t man\t was\t reading\t something\t written\t in\t a\t book.\t It\t was\t an\t old\t account book,\tgreatly\tworn;\tand\tthe\twriting\twas\tnot,\tapparently,\tvery\tlegible,\tfor\tthe\tman sometimes\t held\t the\t page\t close\t to\t the\t flame\t of\t the\t candle\t to\t get\t a\t stronger\t light on\t it.\t The\t shadow\t of\t the\t book\t would\t then\t throw\t into\t obscurity\t a\t half\t of\t the room,\t darkening\t a\t number\t of\t faces\t and\t figures;\t for\t besides\t the\t reader,\t eight other\t men\t were\t present.\t Seven\t of\t them\t sat\t against\t the\t rough\t log\t walls,\t silent, motionless,\tand\tthe\troom\tbeing\tsmall,\tnot\tvery\tfar\tfrom\tthe\ttable.\tBy\textending an\t arm\t any\t one\t of\t them\t could\t have\t touched\t the\t eighth\t man,\t who\t lay\t on\t the table,\tface\tupward,\tpartly\tcovered\tby\ta\tsheet,\this\tarms\tat\this\tsides.\tHe\twas\tdead. The\tman\twith\tthe\tbook\twas\tnot\treading\taloud,\tand\tno\tone\tspoke;\tall\tseemed to\t be\t waiting\t for\t something\t to\t occur;\t the\t dead\t man\t only\t was\t without expectation.\tFrom\tthe\tblank\tdarkness\toutside\tcame\tin,\tthrough\tthe\taperture\tthat served\tfor\ta\twindow,\tall\tthe\tever\tunfamiliar\tnoises\tof\tnight\tin\tthe\twilderness\u2014 the\t long\t nameless\t note\t of\t a\t distant\t coyote;\t the\t stilly\t pulsing\t thrill\t of\t tireless insects\t in\t trees;\t strange\t cries\t of\t night\t birds,\t so\t different\t from\t those\t of\t the\t birds of\t day;\t the\t drone\t of\t great\t blundering\t beetles,\t and\t all\t that\t mysterious\t chorus\t of small\t sounds\t that\t seem\t always\t to\t have\t been\t but\t half\t heard\t when\t they\t have suddenly\t ceased,\t as\t if\t conscious\t of\t an\t indiscretion.\t But\t nothing\t of\t all\t this\t was noted\tin\tthat\tcompany;\tits\tmembers\twere\tnot\tovermuch\taddicted\tto\tidle\tinterest in\t matters\t of\t no\t practical\t importance;\t that\t was\t obvious\t in\t every\t line\t of\t their rugged\t faces\u2014obvious\t even\t in\t the\t dim\t light\t of\t the\t single\t candle.\t They\t were evidently\tmen\tof\tthe\tvicinity\u2014farmers\tand\twoodsmen. The\tperson\treading\twas\ta\ttrifle\tdifferent;\tone\twould\thave\tsaid\tof\thim\tthat\the was\t of\t the\t world,\t worldly,\t albeit\t there\t was\t that\t in\t his\t attire\t which\t attested\t a","certain\tfellowship\twith\tthe\torganisms\tof\this\tenvironment.\tHis\tcoat\twould\thardly have\tpassed\tmuster\tin\tSan\tFrancisco;\this\tfoot-gear\twas\tnot\tof\turban\torigin,\tand the\t hat\t that\t lay\t by\t him\t on\t the\t floor\t (he\t was\t the\t only\t one\t uncovered)\t was\t such that\tif\tone\thad\tconsidered\tit\tas\tan\tarticle\tof\tmere\tpersonal\tadornment\the\twould have\tmissed\tits\tmeaning.\tIn\tcountenance\tthe\tman\twas\trather\tprepossessing,\twith just\t a\t hint\t of\t sternness;\t though\t that\t he\t may\t have\t assumed\t or\t cultivated,\t as appropriate\t to\t one\t in\t authority.\t For\t he\t was\t a\t coroner.\t It\t was\t by\t virtue\t of\t his office\t that\t he\t had\t possession\t of\t the\t book\t in\t which\t he\t was\t reading;\t it\t had\t been found\tamong\tthe\tdead\tman's\teffects\u2014in\this\tcabin,\twhere\tthe\t inquest\t was\t now taking\tplace. When\tthe\tcoroner\thad\tfinished\treading\the\tput\tthe\tbook\tinto\this\tbreast\tpocket. At\tthat\tmoment\tthe\tdoor\twas\tpushed\topen\tand\ta\tyoung\tman\tentered.\tHe,\tclearly, was\tnot\tof\tmountain\tbirth\tand\tbreeding:\the\twas\tclad\tas\tthose\twho\tdwell\tin\tcities. His\tclothing\twas\tdusty,\thowever,\tas\tfrom\ttravel.\tHe\thad,\tin\tfact,\tbeen\triding\thard to\tattend\tthe\tinquest. The\tcoroner\tnodded;\tno\tone\telse\tgreeted\thim. \\\"We\thave\twaited\tfor\tyou,\\\"\tsaid\tthe\tcoroner.\t\\\"It\tis\tnecessary\tto\thave\tdone\twith this\tbusiness\tto-night.\\\" The\tyoung\tman\tsmiled.\t\\\"I\tam\tsorry\tto\thave\tkept\tyou,\\\"\the\tsaid.\t\\\"I\twent\taway, not\t to\t evade\t your\t summons,\t but\t to\t post\t to\t my\t newspaper\t an\t account\t of\t what\t I suppose\tI\tam\tcalled\tback\tto\trelate.\\\" The\tcoroner\tsmiled. \\\"The\taccount\tthat\tyou\tposted\tto\tyour\tnewspaper,\\\"\the\tsaid,\t\\\"differs,\tprobably, from\tthat\twhich\tyou\twill\tgive\there\tunder\toath.\\\" \\\"That,\\\"\t replied\t the\t other,\t rather\t hotly\t and\t with\t a\t visible\t flush,\t \\\"is\t as\t you please.\tI\tused\tmanifold\tpaper\tand\thave\ta\tcopy\tof\twhat\tI\tsent.\tIt\twas\tnot\twritten as\t news,\t for\t it\t is\t incredible,\t but\t as\t fiction.\t It\t may\t go\t as\t a\t part\t of\t my\t testimony under\toath.\\\" \\\"But\tyou\tsay\tit\tis\tincredible.\\\" \\\"That\tis\tnothing\tto\tyou,\tsir,\tif\tI\talso\tswear\tthat\tit\tis\ttrue.\\\" The\tcoroner\twas\tsilent\tfor\ta\ttime,\this\teyes\tupon\tthe\tfloor.\tThe\tmen\tabout\tthe sides\t of\t the\t cabin\t talked\t in\t whispers,\t but\t seldom\t withdrew\t their\t gaze\t from\t the","face\t of\t the\t corpse.\t Presently\t the\t coroner\t lifted\t his\t eyes\t and\t said:\t \\\"We\t will resume\tthe\tinquest.\\\" The\tmen\tremoved\ttheir\thats.\tThe\twitness\twas\tsworn. \\\"What\tis\tyour\tname?\\\"\tthe\tcoroner\tasked. \\\"William\tHarker.\\\" \\\"Age?\\\" \\\"Twenty-seven.\\\" \\\"You\tknew\tthe\tdeceased,\tHugh\tMorgan?\\\" \\\"Yes.\\\" \\\"You\twere\twith\thim\twhen\the\tdied?\\\" \\\"Near\thim.\\\" \\\"How\tdid\tthat\thappen\u2014your\tpresence,\tI\tmean?\\\" \\\"I\t was\t visiting\t him\t at\t this\t place\t to\t shoot\t and\t fish.\t A\t part\t of\t my\t purpose, however,\twas\tto\tstudy\thim\tand\this\todd,\tsolitary\tway\tof\tlife.\tHe\tseemed\ta\tgood model\tfor\ta\tcharacter\tin\tfiction.\tI\tsometimes\twrite\tstories.\\\" \\\"I\tsometimes\tread\tthem.\\\" \\\"Thank\tyou.\\\" \\\"Stories\tin\tgeneral\u2014not\tyours.\\\" Some\tof\tthe\tjurors\tlaughed.\tAgainst\ta\tsomber\tbackground\thumor\tshows\thigh lights.\t Soldiers\t in\t the\t intervals\t of\t battle\t laugh\t easily,\t and\t a\t jest\t in\t the\t death chamber\tconquers\tby\tsurprise. \\\"Relate\t the\t circumstances\t of\t this\t man's\t death,\\\"\t said\t the\t coroner.\t \\\"You\t may use\tany\tnotes\tor\tmemoranda\tthat\tyou\tplease.\\\" The\twitness\tunderstood.\tPulling\ta\tmanuscript\tfrom\this\tbreast\tpocket\the\theld it\t near\t the\t candle\t and\t turning\t the\t leaves\t until\t he\t found\t the\t passage\t that\t he wanted\tbegan\tto\tread.","II WHAT\tMAY\tHAPPEN\tIN\tA\tFIELD\tOF\tWILD\tOATS \\\"\t.\t.\t.\tThe\tsun\thad\thardly\trisen\twhen\twe\tleft\tthe\thouse.\tWe\twere\tlooking\tfor quail,\teach\twith\ta\tshotgun,\tbut\twe\thad\tonly\tone\tdog.\tMorgan\tsaid\tthat\tour\tbest ground\t was\t beyond\t a\t certain\t ridge\t that\t he\t pointed\t out,\t and\t we\t crossed\t it\t by\t a trail\tthrough\tthe\t chaparral.\t On\t the\t other\t side\t was\t comparatively\t level\t ground, thickly\tcovered\twith\twild\toats.\tAs\twe\temerged\tfrom\tthe\tchaparral\tMorgan\twas but\t a\t few\t yards\t in\t advance.\t Suddenly\t we\t heard,\t at\t a\t little\t distance\t to\t our\t right and\t partly\t in\t front,\t a\t noise\t as\t of\t some\t animal\t thrashing\t about\t in\t the\t bushes, which\twe\tcould\tsee\twere\tviolently\tagitated. \\\"'We've\tstarted\ta\tdeer,'\tI\tsaid.\t'I\twish\twe\thad\tbrought\ta\trifle.' \\\"Morgan,\twho\thad\tstopped\tand\twas\tintently\twatching\tthe\tagitated\tchaparral, said\t nothing,\t but\t had\t cocked\t both\t barrels\t of\t his\t gun\t and\t was\t holding\t it\t in readiness\tto\taim.\tI\tthought\thim\ta\ttrifle\texcited,\twhich\tsurprised\tme,\tfor\the\thad\ta reputation\t for\t exceptional\t coolness,\t even\t in\t moments\t of\t sudden\t and\t imminent peril. \\\"'O,\t come,'\t I\t said.\t 'You\t are\t not\t going\t to\t fill\t up\t a\t deer\t with\t quail-shot,\t are you?' \\\"Still\the\tdid\tnot\treply;\tbut\tcatching\ta\tsight\tof\this\tface\tas\the\tturned\tit\tslightly toward\t me\t I\t was\t struck\t by\t the\t intensity\t of\t his\t look.\t Then\t I\t understood\t that\t we had\tserious\tbusiness\tin\thand\tand\tmy\tfirst\tconjecture\twas\tthat\twe\thad\t'jumped'\ta grizzly.\tI\tadvanced\tto\tMorgan's\tside,\tcocking\tmy\tpiece\tas\tI\tmoved. \\\"The\t bushes\t were\t now\t quiet\t and\t the\t sounds\t had\t ceased,\t but\t Morgan\t was\t as attentive\tto\tthe\tplace\tas\tbefore. \\\"'What\tis\tit?\tWhat\tthe\tdevil\tis\tit?'\tI\tasked. \\\"'That\t Damned\t Thing!'\t he\t replied,\t without\t turning\t his\t head.\t His\t voice\t was husky\tand\tunnatural.\tHe\ttrembled\tvisibly. \\\"I\twas\tabout\tto\tspeak\tfurther,\twhen\tI\tobserved\tthe\twild\toats\tnear\tthe\tplace\tof the\tdisturbance\tmoving\tin\tthe\tmost\tinexplicable\tway.\tI\tcan\thardly\tdescribe\tit.\tIt seemed\tas\tif\t stirred\t by\t a\t streak\t of\t wind,\t which\t not\t only\t bent\t it,\t but\t pressed\t it","down\u2014crushed\t it\t so\t that\t it\t did\t not\t rise;\t and\t this\t movement\t was\t slowly prolonging\titself\tdirectly\ttoward\tus. \\\"Nothing\tthat\tI\thad\tever\tseen\thad\taffected\tme\tso\tstrangely\tas\tthis\tunfamiliar and\t unaccountable\t phenomenon,\t yet\t I\t am\t unable\t to\t recall\t any\t sense\t of\t fear.\t I remember\u2014and\t tell\t it\t here\t because,\t singularly\t enough,\t I\t recollected\t it\t then\u2014 that\tonce\tin\tlooking\tcarelessly\tout\tof\tan\topen\twindow\tI\tmomentarily\tmistook\ta small\ttree\tclose\tat\thand\tfor\tone\tof\ta\tgroup\tof\tlarger\ttrees\tat\ta\tlittle\tdistance\taway. It\t looked\t the\t same\t size\t as\t the\t others,\t but\t being\t more\t distinctly\t and\t sharply defined\t in\t mass\t and\t detail\t seemed\t out\t of\t harmony\t with\t them.\t It\t was\t a\t mere falsification\t of\t the\t law\t of\t aerial\t perspective,\t but\t it\t startled,\t almost\t terrified\t me. We\tso\trely\tupon\tthe\torderly\toperation\tof\tfamiliar\tnatural\tlaws\tthat\tany\tseeming suspension\tof\tthem\tis\tnoted\tas\ta\tmenace\tto\tour\tsafety,\ta\twarning\tof\tunthinkable calamity.\t So\t now\t the\t apparently\t causeless\t movement\t of\t the\t herbage\t and\t the slow,\t undeviating\t approach\t of\t the\t line\t of\t disturbances\t were\t distinctly disquieting.\t My\t companion\t appeared\t actually\t frightened,\t and\t I\t could\t hardly credit\tmy\tsenses\twhen\tI\tsaw\thim\tsuddenly\tthrow\this\tgun\tto\this\tshoulder\tand\tfire both\tbarrels\tat\tthe\tagitated\tgrain!\tBefore\tthe\tsmoke\tof\tthe\tdischarge\thad\tcleared away\t I\t heard\t a\t loud\t savage\t cry\u2014a\t scream\t like\t that\t of\t a\t wild\t animal\u2014and flinging\this\tgun\tupon\tthe\tground\tMorgan\tsprang\taway\tand\tran\tswiftly\tfrom\tthe spot.\tAt\tthe\tsame\tinstant\tI\twas\tthrown\tviolently\tto\tthe\tground\tby\tthe\timpact\tof something\t unseen\t in\t the\t smoke\u2014some\t soft,\t heavy\t substance\t that\t seemed thrown\tagainst\tme\twith\tgreat\tforce. \\\"Before\tI\tcould\tget\tupon\tmy\tfeet\tand\trecover\tmy\tgun,\twhich\tseemed\tto\thave been\tstruck\tfrom\tmy\thands,\tI\theard\tMorgan\tcrying\tout\tas\tif\tin\tmortal\tagony,\tand mingling\t with\t his\t cries\t were\t such\t hoarse,\t savage\t sounds\t as\t one\t hears\t from fighting\t dogs.\t Inexpressibly\t terrified,\t I\t struggled\t to\t my\t feet\t and\t looked\t in\t the direction\tof\tMorgan's\tretreat;\tand\tmay\tHeaven\tin\tmercy\tspare\tme\tfrom\tanother sight\tlike\tthat!\tAt\ta\tdistance\tof\tless\tthan\tthirty\tyards\twas\tmy\tfriend,\tdown\tupon one\t knee,\t his\t head\t thrown\t back\t at\t a\t frightful\t angle,\t hatless,\t his\t long\t hair\t in disorder\tand\this\t whole\t body\t in\t violent\t movement\t from\t side\t to\t side,\t backward and\t forward.\t His\t right\t arm\t was\t lifted\t and\t seemed\t to\t lack\t the\t hand\u2014at\t least,\t I could\t see\t none.\t The\t other\t arm\t was\t invisible.\t At\t times,\t as\t my\t memory\t now reports\tthis\textraordinary\tscene,\tI\tcould\tdiscern\tbut\ta\tpart\tof\this\tbody;\tit\twas\tas if\the\thad\tbeen\tpartly\tblotted\tout\u2014I\tcannot\totherwise\texpress\tit\u2014then\ta\tshifting of\this\tposition\twould\tbring\tit\tall\tinto\tview\tagain. \\\"All\t this\t must\t have\t occurred\t within\t a\t few\t seconds,\t yet\t in\t that\t time\t Morgan assumed\tall\tthe\tpostures\tof\ta\tdetermined\twrestler\tvanquished\tby\tsuperior\tweight","and\t strength.\t I\t saw\t nothing\t but\t him,\t and\t him\t not\t always\t distinctly.\t During\t the entire\t incident\t his\t shouts\t and\t curses\t were\t heard,\t as\t if\t through\t an\t enveloping uproar\t of\t such\t sounds\t of\t rage\t and\t fury\t as\t I\t had\t never\t heard\t from\t the\t throat\t of man\tor\tbrute! \\\"For\t a\t moment\t only\t I\t stood\t irresolute,\t then\t throwing\t down\t my\t gun\t I\t ran forward\tto\tmy\tfriend's\tassistance.\tI\thad\ta\tvague\tbelief\tthat\the\twas\tsuffering\tfrom a\tfit,\tor\tsome\tform\tof\tconvulsion.\tBefore\tI\tcould\treach\this\tside\the\twas\tdown\tand quiet.\t All\t sounds\t had\t ceased,\t but\t with\t a\t feeling\t of\t such\t terror\t as\t even\t these awful\tevents\thad\tnot\tinspired\tI\tnow\tsaw\tagain\tthe\tmysterious\tmovement\tof\tthe wild\t oats,\t prolonging\t itself\t from\t the\t trampled\t area\t about\t the\t prostrate\t man toward\tthe\tedge\tof\ta\twood.\tIt\twas\tonly\twhen\tit\thad\treached\tthe\twood\tthat\tI\twas able\tto\twithdraw\tmy\teyes\tand\tlook\tat\tmy\tcompanion.\tHe\twas\tdead.\\\" III A\tMAN\tTHOUGH\tNAKED\tMAY\tBE\tIN\tRAGS The\t coroner\t rose\t from\t his\t seat\t and\t stood\t beside\t the\t dead\t man.\t Lifting\t an edge\t of\t the\t sheet\t he\t pulled\t it\t away,\t exposing\t the\t entire\t body,\t altogether\t naked and\t showing\t in\t the\t candle-light\t a\t claylike\t yellow.\t It\t had,\t however,\t broad maculations\t of\t bluish\t black,\t obviously\t caused\t by\t extravasated\t blood\t from contusions.\t The\t chest\t and\t sides\t looked\t as\t if\t they\t had\t been\t beaten\t with\t a bludgeon.\tThere\twere\tdreadful\tlacerations;\tthe\tskin\twas\ttorn\tin\tstrips\tand\tshreds. The\t coroner\t moved\t round\t to\t the\t end\t of\t the\t table\t and\t undid\t a\t silk handkerchief\twhich\thad\tbeen\tpassed\tunder\tthe\tchin\tand\tknotted\ton\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe head.\t When\t the\t handkerchief\t was\t drawn\t away\t it\t exposed\t what\t had\t been\t the throat.\t Some\t of\t the\t jurors\t who\t had\t risen\t to\t get\t a\t better\t view\t repented\t their curiosity\tand\tturned\taway\ttheir\tfaces.\tWitness\tHarker\twent\tto\tthe\topen\twindow and\tleaned\tout\tacross\tthe\tsill,\tfaint\tand\tsick.\tDropping\tthe\thandkerchief\tupon\tthe dead\tman's\tneck\tthe\tcoroner\tstepped\tto\tan\tangle\tof\tthe\troom\tand\tfrom\ta\tpile\tof clothing\tproduced\tone\tgarment\tafter\tanother,\teach\tof\twhich\the\theld\tup\ta\tmoment for\t inspection.\t All\t were\t torn,\t and\t stiff\t with\t blood.\t The\t jurors\t did\t not\t make\t a closer\t inspection.\t They\t seemed\t rather\t uninterested.\t They\t had,\t in\t truth,\t seen\t all this\tbefore;\tthe\tonly\tthing\tthat\twas\tnew\tto\tthem\tbeing\tHarker's\ttestimony. \\\"Gentlemen,\\\"\t the\t coroner\t said,\t \\\"we\t have\t no\t more\t evidence,\t I\t think.\t Your duty\thas\tbeen\talready\texplained\tto\tyou;\tif\tthere\tis\tnothing\tyou\twish\tto\task\tyou","may\tgo\toutside\tand\tconsider\tyour\tverdict.\\\" The\tforeman\trose\u2014a\ttall,\tbearded\tman\tof\tsixty,\tcoarsely\tclad. \\\"I\t should\t like\t to\t ask\t one\t question,\t Mr.\t Coroner,\\\"\t he\t said.\t \\\"What\t asylum\t did this\tyer\tlast\twitness\tescape\tfrom?\\\" \\\"Mr.\tHarker,\\\"\tsaid\tthe\tcoroner,\tgravely\tand\ttranquilly,\t\\\"from\twhat\tasylum\tdid you\tlast\tescape?\\\" Harker\tflushed\tcrimson\tagain,\tbut\tsaid\tnothing,\tand\tthe\tseven\tjurors\trose\tand solemnly\tfiled\tout\tof\tthe\tcabin. \\\"If\tyou\thave\tdone\tinsulting\tme,\tsir,\\\"\tsaid\tHarker,\tas\tsoon\tas\the\tand\tthe\tofficer were\tleft\talone\twith\tthe\tdead\tman,\t\\\"I\tsuppose\tI\tam\tat\tliberty\tto\tgo?\\\" \\\"Yes.\\\" Harker\tstarted\tto\tleave,\tbut\tpaused,\twith\this\thand\ton\tthe\tdoor\tlatch.\tThe\thabit of\this\tprofession\twas\tstrong\tin\thim\u2014stronger\tthan\this\tsense\tof\tpersonal\tdignity. He\tturned\tabout\tand\tsaid: \\\"The\tbook\tthat\tyou\thave\tthere\u2014I\trecognize\tit\tas\tMorgan's\tdiary.\tYou\tseemed greatly\t interested\t in\t it;\t you\t read\t in\t it\t while\t I\t was\t testifying.\t May\t I\t see\t it?\t The public\twould\tlike\u2014\u2014\\\" \\\"The\t book\t will\t cut\t no\t figure\t in\t this\t matter,\\\"\t replied\t the\t official,\t slipping\t it into\this\tcoat\tpocket;\t\\\"all\tthe\tentries\tin\tit\twere\tmade\tbefore\tthe\twriter's\tdeath.\\\" As\t Harker\t passed\t out\t of\t the\t house\t the\t jury\t re\u00ebntered\t and\t stood\t about\t the table,\t on\t which\t the\t now\t covered\t corpse\t showed\t under\t the\t sheet\t with\t sharp definition.\tThe\tforeman\tseated\thimself\tnear\tthe\tcandle,\tproduced\tfrom\this\tbreast pocket\t a\t pencil\t and\t scrap\t of\t paper\t and\t wrote\t rather\t laboriously\t the\t following verdict,\twhich\twith\tvarious\tdegrees\tof\teffort\tall\tsigned: \\\"We,\t the\t jury,\t do\t find\t that\t the\t remains\t come\t to\t their\t death\t at\t the\t hands\t of\t a mountain\tlion,\tbut\tsome\tof\tus\tthinks,\tall\tthe\tsame,\tthey\thad\tfits.\\\" IV AN\tEXPLANATION\tFROM\tTHE\tTOMB","In\t the\t diary\t of\t the\t late\t Hugh\t Morgan\t are\t certain\t interesting\t entries\t having, possibly,\ta\tscientific\tvalue\tas\tsuggestions.\tAt\tthe\tinquest\tupon\this\tbody\tthe\tbook was\t not\t put\t in\t evidence;\t possibly\t the\t coroner\t thought\t it\t not\t worth\t while\t to confuse\t the\t jury.\t The\t date\t of\t the\t first\t of\t the\t entries\t mentioned\t cannot\t be ascertained;\t the\t upper\t part\t of\t the\t leaf\t is\t torn\t away;\t the\t part\t of\t the\t entry remaining\tfollows: \\\"\t .\t .\t .\t would\t run\t in\t a\t half-circle,\t keeping\t his\t head\t turned\t always\t toward\t the center,\tand\tagain\the\twould\tstand\tstill,\tbarking\tfuriously.\tAt\tlast\the\tran\taway\tinto the\tbrush\tas\tfast\tas\the\tcould\tgo.\tI\tthought\tat\tfirst\tthat\the\thad\tgone\tmad,\tbut\ton returning\t to\t the\t house\t found\t no\t other\t alteration\t in\t his\t manner\t than\t what\t was obviously\tdue\tto\tfear\tof\tpunishment. \\\"Can\t a\t dog\t see\t with\t his\t nose?\t Do\t odors\t impress\t some\t cerebral\t center\t with images\tof\tthe\tthing\tthat\temitted\tthem?\t.\t.\t. \\\"Sept.\t 2.\u2014Looking\t at\t the\t stars\t last\t night\t as\t they\t rose\t above\t the\t crest\t of\t the ridge\t east\t of\t the\t house,\t I\t observed\t them\t successively\t disappear\u2014from\t left\t to right.\t Each\t was\t eclipsed\t but\t an\t instant,\t and\t only\t a\t few\t at\t the\t same\t time,\t but along\t the\t entire\t length\t of\t the\t ridge\t all\t that\t were\t within\t a\t degree\t or\t two\t of\t the crest\twere\tblotted\tout.\tIt\twas\tas\tif\tsomething\thad\tpassed\talong\tbetween\tme\tand them;\t but\t I\t could\t not\t see\t it,\t and\t the\t stars\t were\t not\t thick\t enough\t to\t define\t its outline.\tUgh!\tI\tdon't\tlike\tthis.\\\"\t.\t.\t. Several\tweeks'\tentries\tare\tmissing,\tthree\tleaves\tbeing\ttorn\tfrom\tthe\tbook. \\\"Sept.\t 27.\u2014It\t has\t been\t about\t here\t again\u2014I\t find\t evidences\t of\t its\t presence every\tday.\tI\twatched\tagain\tall\tlast\tnight\tin\tthe\tsame\tcover,\tgun\tin\thand,\tdouble- charged\twith\tbuckshot.\tIn\tthe\tmorning\tthe\tfresh\tfootprints\twere\tthere,\tas\tbefore. Yet\t I\t would\t have\t sworn\t that\t I\t did\t not\t sleep\u2014indeed,\t I\t hardly\t sleep\t at\t all.\t It\t is terrible,\t insupportable!\t If\t these\t amazing\t experiences\t are\t real\t I\t shall\t go\t mad;\t if they\tare\tfanciful\tI\tam\tmad\talready. \\\"Oct.\t3.\u2014I\tshall\tnot\tgo\u2014it\tshall\tnot\tdrive\tme\taway.\tNo,\tthis\tis\tmy\thouse,\tmy land.\tGod\thates\ta\tcoward.\t.\t.\t. \\\"Oct.\t5.\u2014I\tcan\tstand\tit\tno\tlonger;\tI\thave\tinvited\tHarker\tto\tpass\ta\tfew\tweeks with\tme\u2014he\thas\ta\tlevel\thead.\tI\tcan\tjudge\tfrom\this\tmanner\tif\the\tthinks\tme\tmad. \\\"Oct.\t 7.\u2014I\t have\t the\t solution\t of\t the\t mystery;\t it\t came\t to\t me\t last\t night\u2014 suddenly,\tas\tby\trevelation.\tHow\tsimple\u2014how\tterribly\tsimple!","\\\"There\t are\t sounds\t that\t we\t cannot\t hear.\t At\t either\t end\t of\t the\t scale\t are\t notes that\tstir\tno\tchord\tof\tthat\timperfect\tinstrument,\tthe\thuman\tear.\tThey\tare\ttoo\thigh or\ttoo\tgrave.\tI\thave\tobserved\ta\tflock\tof\tblackbirds\toccupying\tan\tentire\ttree-top \u2014the\t tops\t of\t several\t trees\u2014and\t all\t in\t full\t song.\t Suddenly\u2014in\t a\t moment\u2014at absolutely\t the\t same\t instant\u2014all\t spring\t into\t the\t air\t and\t fly\t away.\t How?\t They could\t not\t all\t see\t one\t another\u2014whole\t tree-tops\t intervened.\t At\t no\t point\t could\t a leader\t have\t been\t visible\t to\t all.\t There\t must\t have\t been\t a\t signal\t of\t warning\t or command,\t high\t and\t shrill\t above\t the\t din,\t but\t by\t me\t unheard.\t I\t have\t observed, too,\t the\t same\t simultaneous\t flight\t when\t all\t were\t silent,\t among\t not\t only blackbirds,\t but\t other\t birds\u2014quail,\t for\t example,\t widely\t separated\t by\t bushes\u2014 even\ton\topposite\tsides\tof\ta\thill. \\\"It\t is\t known\t to\t seamen\t that\t a\t school\t of\t whales\t basking\t or\t sporting\t on\t the surface\t of\t the\t ocean,\t miles\t apart,\t with\t the\t convexity\t of\t the\t earth\t between,\t will sometimes\t dive\t at\t the\t same\t instant\u2014all\t gone\t out\t of\t sight\t in\t a\t moment.\t The signal\thas\tbeen\tsounded\u2014too\tgrave\tfor\tthe\tear\tof\tthe\tsailor\tat\tthe\tmasthead\tand his\tcomrades\ton\tthe\tdeck\u2014who\tnevertheless\tfeel\tits\tvibrations\tin\tthe\tship\tas\tthe stones\tof\ta\tcathedral\tare\tstirred\tby\tthe\tbass\tof\tthe\torgan. \\\"As\t with\t sounds,\t so\t with\t colors.\t At\t each\t end\t of\t the\t solar\t spectrum\t the chemist\t can\t detect\t the\t presence\t of\t what\t are\t known\t as\t 'actinic'\t rays.\t They represent\t colors\u2014integral\t colors\t in\t the\t composition\t of\t light\u2014which\t we\t are unable\t to\t discern.\t The\t human\t eye\t is\t an\t imperfect\t instrument;\t its\t range\t is\t but\t a few\toctaves\tof\tthe\treal\t'chromatic\tscale.'\tI\tam\tnot\tmad;\tthere\tare\tcolors\tthat\twe cannot\tsee. \\\"And,\tGod\thelp\tme!\tthe\tDamned\tThing\tis\tof\tsuch\ta\tcolor!\\\"","THE\tINTERVAL[J] BY\tVINCENT\tO'SULLIVAN From\tThe\tBoston\tEvening\tTranscript Mrs.\tWilton\tpassed\tthrough\ta\tlittle\talley\tleading\tfrom\tone\tof\tthe\tgates\twhich are\taround\tRegent's\tPark,\tand\tcame\tout\ton\tthe\twide\tand\tquiet\tstreet.\tShe\twalked along\t slowly,\t peering\t anxiously\t from\t side\t to\t side\t so\t as\t not\t to\t overlook\t the number.\tShe\tpulled\ther\tfurs\tcloser\tround\ther;\tafter\ther\tyears\tin\tIndia\tthis\tLondon damp\t seemed\t very\t harsh.\t Still,\t it\t was\t not\t a\t fog\t to-day.\t A\t dense\t haze,\t gray\t and tinged\t ruddy,\t lay\t between\t the\t houses,\t sometimes\t blowing\t with\t a\t little\t wet\t kiss against\t the\t face.\t Mrs.\t Wilton's\t hair\t and\t eyelashes\t and\t her\t furs\t were\t powdered with\ttiny\tdrops.\tBut\tthere\twas\tnothing\tin\tthe\tweather\tto\tblur\tthe\tsight;\tshe\tcould see\tthe\tfaces\tof\tpeople\tsome\tdistance\toff\tand\tread\tthe\tsigns\ton\tthe\tshops. Before\tthe\tdoor\tof\ta\tdealer\tin\tantiques\tand\tsecond-hand\tfurniture\tshe\tpaused and\t looked\t through\t the\t shabby\t uncleaned\t window\t at\t an\t unassorted\t heap\t of things,\t many\t of\t them\t of\t great\t value.\t She\t read\t the\t Polish\t name\t fastened\t on\t the pane\tin\twhite\tletters. \\\"Yes;\tthis\tis\tthe\tplace.\\\" She\t opened\t the\t door,\t which\t met\t her\t entrance\t with\t an\t ill-tempered\t jangle. From\t somewhere\t in\t the\t black\t depths\t of\t the\t shop\t the\t dealer\t came\t forward.\t He had\t a\t clammy\t white\t face,\t with\t a\t sparse\t black\t beard,\t and\t wore\t a\t skull\t cap\t and spectacles.\tMrs.\tWilton\tspoke\tto\thim\tin\ta\tlow\tvoice. A\t look\t of\t complicity,\t of\t cunning,\t perhaps\t of\t irony,\t passed\t through\t the dealer's\tcynical\tand\tsad\teyes.\tBut\the\tbowed\tgravely\tand\trespectfully. \\\"Yes,\tshe\tis\there,\tmadam.\tWhether\tshe\twill\tsee\tyou\tor\tnot\tI\tdo\tnot\tknow.\tShe is\tnot\talways\twell;\tshe\thas\ther\tmoods.\tAnd\tthen,\twe\thave\tto\tbe\tso\tcareful.\tThe police\u2014Not\t that\t they\t would\t touch\t a\t lady\t like\t you.\t But\t the\t poor\t alien\t has\t not much\tchance\tthese\tdays.\\\" Mrs.\tWilton\tfollowed\thim\tto\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\tshop,\twhere\tthere\twas\ta\twinding staircase.\tShe\tknocked\tover\ta\tfew\tthings\tin\ther\tpassage\tand\tstooped\tto\tpick\tthem","up,\tbut\tthe\tdealer\tkept\tmuttering,\t\\\"It\tdoes\tnot\tmatter\u2014surely\tit\tdoes\tnot\tmatter.\\\" He\tlit\ta\tcandle. \\\"You\tmust\tgo\tup\tthese\tstairs.\tThey\tare\tvery\tdark;\tbe\tcareful.\tWhen\tyou\tcome to\ta\tdoor,\topen\tit\tand\tgo\tstraight\tin.\\\" He\tstood\tat\tthe\tfoot\tof\tthe\tstairs\tholding\tthe\tlight\thigh\tabove\this\thead\tand\tshe ascended. The\troom\twas\tnot\tvery\tlarge,\tand\tit\tseemed\tvery\tordinary.\tThere\twere\tsome flimsy,\t uncomfortable\t chairs\t in\t gilt\t and\t red.\t Two\t large\t palms\t were\t in\t corners. Under\t a\t glass\t cover\t on\t the\t table\t was\t a\t view\t of\t Rome.\t The\t room\t had\t not\t a business-like\tlook,\tthought\tMrs.\tWilton;\tthere\twas\tno\tsuggestion\tof\tthe\toffice\tor waiting-room\twhere\tpeople\tcame\tand\twent\tall\tday;\tyet\tyou\twould\tnot\tsay\tthat\tit was\t a\t private\t room\t which\t was\t lived\t in.\t There\t were\t no\t books\t or\t papers\t about; every\t chair\t was\t in\t the\t place\t it\t had\t been\t placed\t when\t the\t room\t was\t last\t swept; there\twas\tno\tfire\tand\tit\twas\tvery\tcold. To\t the\t right\t of\t the\t window\t was\t a\t door\t covered\t with\t a\t plush\t curtain.\t Mrs. Wilton\t sat\t down\t near\t the\t table\t and\t watched\t this\t door.\t She\t thought\t it\t must\t be through\tit\tthat\tthe\tsoothsayer\twould\tcome\tforth.\tShe\tlaid\ther\thands\tlistlessly\tone on\t top\t of\t the\t other\t on\tthe\ttable.\t This\tmust\t be\t the\ttenth\tseer\t she\thad\t consulted since\t Hugh\t had\t been\t killed.\t She\t thought\t them\t over.\t No,\t this\t must\t be\t the eleventh.\tShe\thad\tforgotten\tthat\tfrightening\tman\tin\tParis\twho\tsaid\the\thad\tbeen\ta priest.\t Yet\t of\t them\t all\t it\t was\t only\t he\t who\t had\t told\t her\t anything\t definite.\t But even\the\tcould\tdo\tno\tmore\tthan\ttell\tthe\tpast.\tHe\ttold\tof\ther\tmarriage;\the\teven\thad the\tduration\tof\tit\tright\u2014twenty-one\tmonths.\tHe\ttold\ttoo\tof\ttheir\ttime\tin\tIndia\u2014 at\t least,\t he\t knew\t that\t her\t husband\t had\t been\t a\t soldier,\t and\t said\t he\t had\t been\t on service\tin\tthe\t\\\"colonies.\\\"\tOn\tthe\twhole,\tthough,\the\thad\tbeen\tas\tunsatisfactory\tas the\t others.\t None\t of\t them\t had\t given\t her\t the\t consolation\t she\t sought.\t She\t did\t not want\tto\tbe\ttold\tof\tthe\tpast.\tIf\tHugh\twas\tgone\tforever,\tthen\twith\thim\thad\tgone\tall her\tlove\tof\tliving,\ther\tcourage,\tall\ther\tbetter\tself.\tShe\twanted\tto\tbe\tlifted\tout\tof the\t despair,\t the\t dazed\t aimless\t drifting\t from\t day\t to\t day,\t longing\t at\t night\t for\t the morning,\tand\tin\tthe\tmorning\tfor\tthe\tfall\tof\tnight,\twhich\thad\tbeen\ther\tlife\tsince his\t death.\t If\t somebody\t could\t assure\t her\t that\t it\t was\t not\t all\t over,\t that\t he\t was somewhere,\t not\t too\t far\t away,\t unchanged\t from\t what\t he\t had\t been\t here,\t with\t his crisp\thair\tand\trather\tslow\tsmile\tand\tlean\tbrown\tface,\tthat\the\tsaw\ther\tsometimes, that\the\thad\tnot\tforgotten\ther.\t.\t.\t. \\\"Oh,\tHugh,\tdarling!\\\"","When\t she\t looked\t up\t again\t the\t woman\t was\t sitting\t there\t before\t her.\t Mrs. Wilton\t had\t not\t heard\t her\t come\t in.\t With\t her\t experience,\t wide\t enough\t now,\t of seers\t and\t fortune-tellers\t of\t all\t kinds,\t she\t saw\t at\t once\t that\t this\t woman\t was different\t from\t the\t others.\t She\t was\t used\t to\t the\t quick\t appraising\t look,\t the attempts,\t sometimes\t clumsy,\t but\t often\t cleverly\t disguised,\t to\t collect\t some fragments\tof\tinformation\twhereupon\tto\terect\ta\tplausible\tvision.\tBut\tthis\twoman looked\tas\tif\tshe\ttook\tit\tout\tof\therself. Not\t that\t her\t appearance\t suggested\t intercourse\t with\t the\t spiritual\t world\t more than\t the\t others\t had\t done;\t it\t suggested\t that,\t in\t fact,\t considerably\t less.\t Some\t of the\t others\t were\t frail,\t yearning,\t evaporated\t creatures,\t and\t the\t ex-priest\t in\t Paris had\t something\t terrible\t and\t condemned\t in\t his\t look.\t He\t might\t well\t sup\t with\t the devil,\tthat\tman,\tand\tprobably\tdid\tin\tsome\tway\tor\tother. But\t this\t was\t a\t little\t fat,\t weary-faced\t woman\t about\t fifty,\t who\t only\t did\t not look\tlike\ta\tcook\tbecause\tshe\tlooked\tmore\tlike\ta\tsempstress.\tHer\tblack\tdress\twas all\t covered\t with\t white\t threads.\t Mrs.\t Wilton\t looked\t at\t her\t with\t some embarrassment.\tIt\tseemed\tmore\treasonable\tto\tbe\tasking\ta\twoman\tlike\tthis\tabout altering\t a\t gown\t than\t about\t intercourse\t with\t the\t dead.\t That\t seemed\t even\t absurd in\tsuch\ta\tvery\tcommonplace\tpresence.\tThe\twoman\tseemed\ttimid\tand\toppressed: she\tbreathed\theavily\tand\tkept\trubbing\ther\tdingy\thands,\twhich\tlooked\tmoist,\tone over\t the\t other;\t she\t was\t always\t wetting\t her\t lips,\t and\t coughed\t with\t a\t little\t dry cough.\t But\t in\t her\t these\t signs\t of\t nervous\t exhaustion\t suggested\t overwork\t in\t a close\tatmosphere,\tbending\ttoo\tclose\tover\tthe\tsewing-machine.\tHer\tuninteresting hair,\t like\t a\t rat's\t pelt,\t was\t eked\t out\t with\t a\t false\t addition\t of\t another\t color.\t Some threads\thad\tgot\tinto\ther\thair\ttoo. Her\t harried,\t uneasy\t look\t caused\t Mrs.\t Wilton\t to\t ask\t compassionately:\t \\\"Are you\tmuch\tworried\tby\tthe\tpolice?\\\" \\\"Oh,\tthe\tpolice!\tWhy\tdon't\tthey\tleave\tus\talone?\tYou\tnever\tknow\twho\tcomes to\t see\t you.\t Why\t don't\t they\t leave\t me\t alone?\t I'm\t a\t good\t woman.\t I\t only\t think. What\tI\tdo\tis\tno\tharm\tto\tany\tone.\\\"\t.\t.\t. She\t continued\t in\t an\t uneven\t querulous\t voice,\t always\t rubbing\t her\t hands together\t nervously.\t She\t seemed\t to\t the\t visitor\t to\t be\t talking\t at\t random,\t just gabbling,\tlike\tchildren\tdo\tsometimes\tbefore\tthey\tfall\tasleep. \\\"I\twanted\tto\texplain\u2014\u2014\\\"\thesitated\tMrs.\tWilton. But\tthe\twoman,\twith\ther\thead\tpressed\tclose\tagainst\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\tchair,\twas","staring\tbeyond\ther\tat\tthe\twall.\tHer\tface\thad\tlost\twhatever\tlittle\texpression\tit\thad; it\t was\t blank\t and\t stupid.\t When\t she\t spoke\t it\t was\t very\t slowly\t and\t her\t voice\t was guttural. \\\"Can't\t you\t see\t him?\t It\t seems\t strange\t to\t me\t that\t you\t can't\t see\t him.\t He\t is\t so near\tyou.\tHe\tis\tpassing\this\tarm\tround\tyour\tshoulders.\\\" This\t was\t a\t frequent\t gesture\t of\t Hugh's.\t And\t indeed\t at\t that\t moment\t she\t felt that\t somebody\t was\t very\t near\t her,\t bending\t over\t her.\t She\t was\t enveloped\t in tenderness.\t Only\t a\t very\t thin\t veil,\t she\t felt,\t prevented\t her\t from\t seeing.\t But\t the woman\t saw.\t She\t was\t describing\t Hugh\t minutely,\t even\t the\t little\t things\t like\t the burn\ton\this\tright\thand. \\\"Is\the\thappy?\tOh,\task\thim\tdoes\the\tlove\tme?\\\" The\t result\t was\t so\t far\t beyond\t anything\t she\t had\t hoped\t for\t that\t she\t was stunned.\t She\t could\t only\t stammer\t the\t first\t thing\t that\t came\t into\t her\t head.\t \\\"Does he\tlove\tme?\\\" \\\"He\tloves\tyou.\tHe\twon't\tanswer,\tbut\the\tloves\tyou.\tHe\twants\tme\tto\tmake\tyou see\thim;\the\tis\tdisappointed,\tI\tthink,\tbecause\tI\tcan't.\tBut\tI\tcan't\tunless\tyou\tdo\tit yourself.\\\" After\ta\twhile\tshe\tsaid: \\\"I\tthink\tyou\twill\tsee\thim\tagain.\tYou\tthink\tof\tnothing\telse.\tHe\tis\tvery\tclose\tto us\tnow.\\\" Then\t she\t collapsed,\t and\t fell\t into\t a\t heavy\t sleep\t and\t lay\t there\t motionless, hardly\t breathing.\t Mrs.\t Wilton\t put\t some\t notes\t on\t the\t table\t and\t stole\t out\t on\t tip- toe. She\tseemed\tto\tremember\tthat\tdownstairs\tin\tthe\tdark\tshop\tthe\tdealer\twith\tthe waxen\tface\tdetained\ther\tto\tshow\tsome\told\tsilver\tand\tjewelry\tand\tsuch\tlike.\tBut she\tdid\tnot\tcome\tto\therself,\tshe\thad\tno\tprecise\trecollection\tof\tanything,\ttill\tshe found\therself\tentering\ta\tchurch\tnear\tPortland\tPlace.\tIt\twas\tan\tunlikely\tact\tin\ther normal\t moments.\t Why\t did\t she\t go\t in\t there?\t She\t acted\t like\t one\t walking\t in\t her sleep.","The\tchurch\twas\told\tand\tdim,\twith\thigh\tblack\tpews.\tThere\twas\tnobody\tthere. Mrs.\tWilton\tsat\tdown\tin\tone\tof\tthe\tpews\tand\tbent\tforward\twith\ther\tface\tin\ther hands. After\ta\tfew\tminutes\tshe\tsaw\tthat\ta\tsoldier\thad\tcome\tin\tnoiselessly\tand\tplaced himself\t about\t half-a-dozen\t rows\t ahead\t of\t her.\t He\t never\t turned\t round;\t but presently\t she\t was\t struck\t by\t something\t familiar\t in\t the\t figure.\t First\t she\t thought vaguely\t that\t the\t soldier\t looked\t like\t her\t Hugh.\t Then,\t when\t he\t put\t up\t his\t hand, she\tsaw\twho\tit\twas. She\thurried\tout\tof\tthe\tpew\tand\tran\ttowards\thim.\t\\\"Oh,\tHugh,\tHugh,\thave\tyou come\tback?\\\" He\t looked\t round\t with\t a\t smile.\t He\t had\t not\t been\t killed.\t It\t was\t all\t a\t mistake. He\twas\tgoing\tto\tspeak.\t.\t.\t. Footsteps\tsounded\thollow\tin\tthe\tempty\tchurch.\tShe\tturned\tand\tglanced\tdown the\tdim\taisle. It\twas\tan\told\tsexton\tor\tverger\twho\tapproached.\t\\\"I\tthought\tI\theard\tyou\tcall,\\\" he\tsaid. \\\"I\twas\tspeaking\tto\tmy\thusband.\\\"\tBut\tHugh\twas\tnowhere\tto\tbe\tseen. \\\"He\twas\there\ta\tmoment\t ago.\\\"\tShe\tlooked\tabout\tin\tanguish.\t\\\"He\tmust\thave gone\tto\tthe\tdoor.\\\" \\\"There's\tnobody\there,\\\"\tsaid\tthe\told\tman\tgently.\t\\\"Only\tyou\tand\tme.\tLadies\tare often\ttaken\tfunny\tsince\tthe\twar.\tThere\twas\tone\tin\there\tyesterday\tafternoon\tsaid she\twas\tmarried\tin\tthis\tchurch\tand\ther\thusband\thad\tpromised\tto\tmeet\ther\there. Perhaps\tyou\twere\tmarried\there?\\\" \\\"No,\\\"\tsaid\tMrs.\tWilton,\tdesolately.\t\\\"I\twas\tmarried\tin\tIndia.\\\" It\t might\t have\t been\t two\t or\t three\t days\t after\t that,\t when\t she\t went\t into\t a\t small Italian\t restaurant\t in\t the\t Bayswater\t district.\t She\t often\t went\t out\t for\t her\t meals now:\t she\t had\t developed\t an\t exhausting\t cough,\t and\t she\t found\t that\t it\t somehow became\t less\t troublesome\t when\t she\t was\t in\t a\t public\t place\t looking\t at\t strange faces.\t In\t her\t flat\t there\t were\t all\t the\t things\t that\t Hugh\t had\t used;\t the\t trunks\t and","bags\t still\t had\t his\t name\t on\t them\t with\t the\t labels\t of\t places\t where\t they\t had\t been together.\t They\t were\t like\t stabs.\t In\t the\t restaurant,\t people\t came\t and\t went,\t many soldiers\ttoo\tamong\tthem,\tjust\tglancing\tat\ther\tin\ther\tcorner. This\t day,\t as\t it\t chanced,\t she\t was\t rather\t late\t and\t there\t was\t nobody\t there.\t She was\tvery\ttired.\tShe\tnibbled\tat\tthe\tfood\tthey\tbrought\ther.\tShe\tcould\talmost\thave cried\tfrom\ttiredness\tand\tloneliness\tand\tthe\tache\tin\ther\theart. Then\tsuddenly\the\twas\tbefore\ther,\tsitting\tthere\topposite\tat\tthe\ttable.\tIt\twas\tas it\t was\t in\t the\t days\t of\t their\t engagement,\t when\t they\t used\t sometimes\t to\t lunch\t at restaurants.\tHe\twas\tnot\tin\tuniform.\tHe\tsmiled\tat\ther\tand\turged\ther\tto\teat,\tjust\tas he\tused\tin\tthose\tdays.\t.\t.\t. I\t met\t her\t that\t afternoon\t as\t she\t was\t crossing\t Kensington\t Gardens,\t and\t she told\tme\tabout\tit. \\\"I\thave\tbeen\twith\tHugh.\\\"\tShe\tseemed\tmost\thappy. \\\"Did\the\tsay\tanything?\\\" \\\"N-no.\t Yes.\t I\t think\t he\t did,\t but\t I\t could\t not\t quite\t hear.\t My\t head\t was\t so\t very tired.\tThe\tnext\ttime\u2014\u2014\\\" I\tdid\tnot\tsee\ther\tfor\tsome\ttime\tafter\tthat.\tShe\tfound,\tI\tthink,\tthat\tby\tgoing\tto places\t where\t she\t had\t once\t seen\t him\u2014the\t old\t church,\t the\t little\t restaurant\u2014she was\tmore\tcertain\tto\tsee\thim\tagain.\tShe\tnever\tsaw\thim\tat\thome.\tBut\tin\tthe\tstreet or\tthe\tpark\the\twould\toften\twalk\talong\tbeside\ther.\tOnce\the\tsaved\ther\tfrom\tbeing run\t over.\t She\t said\t she\t actually\t felt\t his\t hand\t grabbing\t her\t arm,\t suddenly,\t when the\tcar\twas\tnearly\tupon\ther. She\thad\tgiven\tme\tthe\taddress\tof\tthe\tclairvoyant;\tand\tit\tis\tthrough\tthat\tstrange woman\tthat\tI\tknow\u2014or\tseem\tto\tknow\u2014what\tfollowed. Mrs.\tWilton\twas\tnot\texactly\till\tlast\twinter,\tnot\tso\till,\tat\tleast,\tas\tto\tkeep\tto\ther bedroom.\tBut\tshe\twas\tvery\tthin,\tand\ther\tgreat\thandsome\teyes\talways\tseemed\tto be\t staring\t at\t some\t point\t beyond,\t searching.\t There\t was\t a\t look\t in\t them\t that seamen's\teyes\tsometimes\thave\twhen\tthey\tare\tdrawing\ton\ta\tcoast\tof\twhich\tthey are\t not\t very\t certain.\t She\t lived\t almost\t in\t solitude:\t she\t hardly\t ever\t saw\t anybody except\t when\t they\t sought\t her\t out.\t To\t those\t who\t were\t anxious\t about\t her\t she","laughed\tand\tsaid\tshe\twas\tvery\twell. One\t sunny\t morning\t she\t was\t lying\t awake,\t waiting\t for\t the\t maid\t to\t bring\t her tea.\t The\t shy\t London\t sunlight\t peeped\t through\t the\t blinds.\t The\t room\t had\t a\t fresh and\thappy\tlook. When\t she\t heard\t the\t door\t open\t she\t thought\t that\t the\t maid\t had\t come\t in.\t Then she\t saw\t that\t Hugh\t was\t standing\t at\t the\t foot\t of\t the\t bed.\t He\t was\t in\t uniform\t this time,\tand\tlooked\tas\the\thad\tlooked\tthe\tday\the\twent\taway. \\\"Oh,\tHugh,\tspeak\tto\tme!\tWill\tyou\tnot\tsay\tjust\tone\tword?\\\" He\t smiled\t and\t threw\t back\t his\t head,\t just\t as\t he\t used\t to\t in\t the\t old\t days\t at\t her mother's\thouse\twhen\the\twanted\tto\tcall\ther\tout\tof\tthe\troom\twithout\tattracting\tthe attention\tof\tthe\tothers.\tHe\tmoved\ttowards\tthe\tdoor,\tstill\tsigning\tto\ther\tto\tfollow him.\t He\t picked\t up\t her\t slippers\t on\t his\t way\t and\t held\t them\t out\t to\t her\t as\t if\t he wanted\ther\tto\tput\tthem\ton.\tShe\tslipped\tout\tof\tbed\thastily.\t.\t.\t. It\t is\t strange\tthat\twhen\tthey\tcame\tto\tlook\tthrough\ther\tthings\tafter\ther\tdeath the\tslippers\tcould\tnever\tbe\tfound.","\\\"DEY\tAIN'T\tNO\tGHOSTS\\\"[K] BY\tELLIS\tPARKER\tBUTLER Once\t'pon\ta\ttime\tdey\twas\ta\tli'l'\tblack\tboy\twhut\the\tname\twas\tMose.\tAn'\twhin he\tcome\terlong\tto\tbe\t'bout\tknee-high\tto\ta\tmewel,\the\t'gin\tto\tgit\tpowerful\t'fraid\tob ghosts,\t'ca'se\tdat\tam\tsure\ta\tmighty\tghostly\tlocation\twhut\the\tlib'\tin,\t'ca'se\tdey's\ta grabeyard\t in\t de\t hollow,\t an'\t a\t buryin'-ground\t on\t de\t hill,\t an'\t a\t cemuntary\t in betwixt\tan'\tbetween,\tan'\tdey\tain't\tnuffin'\tbut\ttrees\tnowhar\texcipt\tin\tde\tclearin'\tby de\tshanty\tan'\tdown\tde\thollow\twhar\tde\tpumpkin-patch\tam. An'\twhin\tde\tnight\tcome'\terlong,\tdey\tain't\tno\tsounds\tat\tall\twhut\tkin\tbe\theard in\t dat\t locality\t but\t de\t rain-doves,\t whut\t mourn\t out,\t \\\"Oo-oo-o-o-o!\\\"\t jes\t dat trembulous\tan'\t scary,\t an'\t de\t owls,\t whut\t mourn\t out,\t \\\"Whut-whoo-o-o-o!\\\"\tmore trembulous\t an'\t scary\t dan\t dat,\t an'\t de\t wind,\t whut\t mourn\t out,\t \\\"You-you-o-o-o!\\\" mos'\tscandalous'\ttrembulous\tan'\tscary\tob\tall.\tDat\ta\tpowerful\tonpleasant\tlocality for\ta\tli'l'\tblack\tboy\twhut\the\tname\twas\tMose. 'Ca'se\tdat\tli'l'\tblack\tboy\the\tso\tspecially\tblack\the\tcan't\tbe\tseen\tin\tde\tdark\tat\tall 'cept\t by\t de\t whites\t ob\t he\t eyes.\t So\t whin\t he\t go'\t outen\t de\t house\t at\t night,\t he\t ain't dast\t shut\t he\t eyes,\t 'ca'se\t den\t ain't\t nobody\t can\t see\t him\t in\t de\t least.\t He\t jest\t as invidsible\tas\tnuffin'.\tAn'\twho\tknow'\tbut\twhut\ta\tgreat,\tbig\tghost\tbump\tright\tinto him\t'ca'se\tit\tcan't\tsee\thim?\tAn'\tdat\tshore\tw'u'd\tscare\tdat\tli'l'\tblack\tboy\tpowerful' bad,\t'ca'se\tyever'body\tknows\twhut\ta\tcold,\tdamp\tpussonality\ta\tghost\tis. So\t whin\t dat\t li'l'\t black\t Mose\t go'\t outen\t de\t shanty\t at\t night,\t he\t keep'\t he\t eyes wide\t open,\t you\t may\t be\t shore.\t By\t day\t he\t eyes\t 'bout\t de\t size\t ob\t butter-pats,\t an' come\tsundown\the\teyes\t'bout\tde\tsize\tob\tsaucers;\tbut\twhin\the\tgo'\touten\tde\tshanty at\tnight,\the\teyes\tam\tde\tsize\tob\tde\twhite\tchiny\tplate\twhut\tset\ton\tde\tmantel;\tan'\tit powerful'\thard\tto\tkeep\teyes\twhut\tam\tde\tsize\tob\tdat\tfrom\ta-winkin'\tan'\ta-blinkin'. So\twhin\tHallowe'en\tcome\terlong,\tdat\tlil'\tblack\tMose\the\tjes\tmek'\tup\the\tmind he\tain't\tgwine\touten\the\tshack\tat\tall.\tHe\tcogitate'\the\tgwine\tstay\tright\tsnug\tin\tde shack\t wid\t he\t pa\t an'\t he\t ma,\t 'ca'se\t de\t rain-doves\t tek\t notice\t dat\t de\t ghosts\t are philanderin'\troun'\tde\tcountry,\t'ca'se\tdey\tmourn\tout,\t\\\"Oo-oo-o-o-o!\\\"\tan'\tde\t owls dey\t mourn\t out,\t \\\"Whut-whoo-o-o-o!\\\"\t and\t de\t wind\t mourn\t out,\t \\\"You-you-o-o-o!\\\" De\teyes\tob\tdat\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\tdey\tas\tbig\tas\tde\twhite\tchiny\tplate\twhut\tset\ton\tde","mantel\tby\tside\tde\tclock,\tan'\tde\tsun\tjes\ta-settin'. So\tdat\tall\tright.\tLi'l'\tblack\tMose\the\tscrooge'\tback\tin\tde\tcorner\tby\tde\tfireplace, an'\t he\t 'low'\t he\t gwine\t stay\t dere\t till\t he\t gwine\t to\t bed.\t But\t byme-by\t Sally\t Ann, whut\t live'\t up\t de\t road,\t draps\t in,\t an'\t Mistah\t Sally\t Ann,\t whut\t is\t her\t husban',\t he draps\tin,\tan'\tZack\tBadget\tan'\tde\tschool-teacher\twhut\tboard'\tat\tUnc'\tSilas\tDiggs's house\tdrap\tin,\tan'\ta\tpowerful\tlot\tob\tfolks\tdrap\tin.\tAn'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\the\tseen\tdat gwine\tbe\tone\ts'prise-party,\tan'\the\tright\tdown\tcheerful\t'bout\tdat. So\t all\t dem\t folks\t shake\t dere\t hands\t an'\t 'low\t \\\"Howdy,\\\"\t an'\t some\t ob\t dem\t say: \\\"Why,\t dere\t 's\t li'l\t Mose!\t Howdy,\t li'l'\t Mose?\\\"\t An'\t he\t so\t please'\t he\t jes\t grin'\t an' grin',\t'ca'se\the\taint\treckon\twhut\tgwine\thappen.\tSo\tbyme-by\tSally\tAnn,\twhut\tlive up\t de\t road,\t she\t say',\t \\\"Ain't\t no\t sort\t o'\t Hallowe'en\t lest\t we\t got\t a\t jack-o'-lantern.\\\" An'\t de\t school-teacher,\t whut\t board\t at\t Unc'\t Silas\t Diggs's\t house,\t she\t 'low', \\\"Hallowe'en\t jes\t no\t Hallowe'en\t at\t all\t 'thout\t we\t got\t a\t jack-o'-lantern.\\\"\t An'\t li'l' black\tMose\the\tstop'\ta-grinnin',\tan'\the\tscrooge'\tso\tfar\tback\tin\tde\tcorner\the\t'mos' scrooge\t frough\t de\t wall.\t But\t dat\t ain't\t no\t use,\t 'ca'se\t he\t ma\t say',\t \\\"Mose,\t go\t on down\tto\tde\tpumpkin-patch\tan'\tfotch\ta\tpumpkin.\\\" \\\"I\tain't\twant\tto\tgo,\\\"\tsay'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose. \\\"Go\ton\terlong\twid\tyo',\\\"\tsay'\the\tma,\tright\tcommandin'. \\\"I\tain't\twant\tto\tgo,\\\"\tsay'\tMose\tag'in. \\\"Why\tain't\tyo'\twant\tto\tgo?\\\"\the\tma\task'. \\\"'Case\tI\t's\tafraid\tob\tde\tghosts,\\\"\tsay'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose,\tan'\tdat\tde\tparticular\ttruth an'\tno\tmistake. \\\"Dey\tain't\tno\tghosts,\\\"\tsay'\tde\tschool-teacher,\twhut\tboard\tat\tUnc'\tSilas\tDiggs's house,\tright\tpeart. \\\"'Co'se\t dey\t ain't\t no\t ghosts,\\\"\t say'\t Zack\t Badget,\t whut\t dat\t 'fear'd\t ob\t ghosts\t he ain't\t dar'\t come\t to\t li'l'\t black\t Mose's\t house\t ef\t de\t school-teacher\t ain't\t ercompany him. \\\"Go\t'long\twid\tyour\tghosts!\\\"\tsay'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose's\tma. \\\"What'\tyo'\tpick\tup\tdat\tnomsense?\\\"\tsay'\the\tpa.\t\\\"Dey\tain't\tno\tghosts.\\\" An'\t dat\t whut\t all\t dat\t s'prise-party\t 'low:\t dey\t ain't\t no\t ghosts.\t An'\t dey\t 'low\t dey mus'\t hab\t a\t jack-o'-lantern\t or\t de\t fun\t all\t sp'iled.\t So\t dat\t li'l'\t black\t boy\t whut\t he","name\tis\tMose\the\tdone\tgot\tto\tfotch\ta\tpumpkin\tfrom\tde\tpumpkin-patch\tdown\tde hollow.\tSo\the\tstep'\touten\tde\tshanty\tan'\the\tstan'\ton\tde\tdoor-step\ttwell\the\tget'\the eyes\t pried\t open\t as\t big\t as\t de\t bottom\t ob\t he\t ma's\t wash-tub,\t mostly,\t an'\t he\t say', \\\"Dey\tain't\tno\tghosts.\\\"\tAn'\the\tput'\tone\tfoot\ton\tde\tground,\tan'\tdat\twas\tde\tfust\tstep. An'\tde\train-dove\tsay',\t\\\"Oo-oo-o-o-o!\\\" An'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\the\ttuck\tanudder\tstep. An'\tde\towl\tmourn'\tout,\t\\\"Whut-whoo-o-o-o!\\\" An'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\the\ttuck\tanudder\tstep. An'\tde\twind\tsob'\tout,\t\\\"You-you-o-o-o!\\\" An'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\the\ttuck\tone\tlook\tober\the\tshoulder,\tan'\the\tshut\the\teyes\tso tight\tdey\thurt\tround\tde\taidges,\tan'\the\tpick'\tup\the\tfoots\tan'\trun.\tYas,\tsah,\the\trun' right\t peart\t fast.\t An'\t he\t say':\t \\\"Dey\t ain't\t no\t ghosts.\t Dey\t ain't\t no\t ghosts.\\\"\t An'\t he run'\terlong\tde\tpaff\twhut\tlead'\tby\tde\tburyin'-ground\ton\tde\thill,\t'ca'se\tdey\tain't\tno fince\teround\tdat\tburyin'-ground\tat\tall. No\tfince;\tjes\tde\tbig\ttrees\twhut\tde\towls\tan'\tde\train-doves\tsot\tin\tan'\tmourn\tan' sob,\t an'\t whut\t de\t wind\t sigh\t an'\t cry\t frough.\t An'\t byme-by\t somefin'\t jes\t brush'\t li'l' Mose\ton\tde\tarm,\twhich\tmek'\thim\trun\tjes\ta\tbit\tmore\tfaster.\tAn'\tbyme-by\tsomefin' jes\t brush'\t li'l'\t Mose\t on\t de\t cheek,\t which\t mek'\t him\t run\t erbout\t as\t fast\t as\t he\t can. An'\t byme-by\t somefin'\t grab'\t li'l'\t Mose\t by\t de\t aidge\t of\t he\t coat,\t an'\t he\t fight'\t an' struggle'\t an'\t cry'\t out:\t \\\"Dey\t ain't\t no\t ghosts.\t Dey\t ain't\t no\t ghosts.\\\"\t An'\t dat\t ain't nuffin'\tbut\tde\twild\tbrier\twhut\tgrab'\thim,\tan'\tdat\tain't\tnuffin'\tbut\tde\tleaf\tob\ta\ttree whut\t brush'\t he\t cheek,\t an'\t dat\t ain't\t nuffin'\t but\t de\t branch\t ob\t a\t hazel-bush\twhut brush\t he\t arm.\t But\t he\t downright\t scared\t jes\t de\t same,\t an'\t he\t ain't\t lose\t no\t time, 'ca'se\tde\twind\tan'\tde\towls\tan'\tde\train-doves\tdey\tsignerfy\twhut\tain't\tno\tgood.\tSo he\tscoot'\tpast\tdat\tburyin'-ground\twhut\ton\tde\thill,\tan'\tdat\tcemuntary\twhut\tbetwixt an'\tbetween,\tan'\tdat\tgrabeyard\tin\tde\thollow,\ttwell\the\tcome'\tto\tde\tpumpkin-patch, an'\the\trotch'\tdown\tan'\ttek'\terhold\tob\tde\tbestest\tpumpkin\twhut\tin\tde\tpatch.\tAn'\the right\t smart\t scared.\t He\t jes\t de\t mostest\t scared\t li'l'\t black\t boy\t whut\t yever\t was.\t He ain't\tgwine\topen\the\teyes\tfo'\tnuffin',\t'ca'se\tde\twind\tgo,\t\\\"You-you-o-o-o!\\\"\t an'\t de owls\tgo,\t\\\"Whut-whoo-o-o-o!\\\"\tan'\tde\train-doves\tgo,\t\\\"Oo-oo-o-o-o!\\\" He\t jes\t speculate',\t \\\"Dey\t ain't\t no\t ghosts,\\\"\t an'\t wish'\t he\t hair\t don't\t stand\t on\t ind dat\t way.\t An'\t he\t jes\t cogitate',\t \\\"Dey\t ain't\t no\t ghosts,\\\"\t an'\t wish'\t he\t goose-pimples don't\t rise\t up\t dat\t way.\t An'\t he\t jes\t 'low',\t \\\"Dey\t ain't\t no\t ghosts,\\\"\t an'\t wish'\t he","backbone\tain't\tall\ttrembulous\twid\tchills\tdat\tway.\tSo\the\trotch'\tdown,\tan'\the\trotch' down,\ttwell\the\tgit'\ta\tgood\thold\ton\tdat\tpricklesome\tstem\tof\tdat\tbestest\tpumpkin whut\tin\tde\tpatch,\tan'\the\tjes\tyank'\tdat\tstem\twid\tall\the\tmight. \\\"Let\tloosen\tmy\thead!\\\"\tsay'\ta\tbig\tvoice\tall\ton\ta\tsuddent. Dat\t li'l'\t black\t boy\t whut\t he\t name\t is\t Mose\t he\t jump'\t 'most\t outen\t he\t skin.\t He open'\t he\t eyes,\t an'\t he\t 'gin'\t to\t shake\t like\t de\t aspen-tree,\t 'ca'se\t whut\t dat\t a-standin' right\tdar\tbehint\thim\tbut\ta\t'mendjous\tbig\tghost!\tYas,\tsah,\tdat\tde\tbigges',\twhites' ghost\twhut\tyever\twas.\tAn'\tit\tain't\tgot\tno\thead.\tAin't\tgot\tno\thead\tat\tall!\tLi'l'\tblack Mose\the\tjes\tdrap'\ton\the\tknees\tan'\the\tbeg'\tan'\tpray': \\\"Oh,\t 'scuse\t me!\t 'Scuse\t me,\t Mistah\t Ghost!\\\"\t he\t beg'.\t \\\"Ah\t ain't\t mean\t no\t harm at\tall.\\\" \\\"Whut\tfor\tyou\ttry\tto\ttake\tmy\thead?\\\"\task'\tde\tghost\tin\tdat\tfearsome\tvoice\twhut like\tde\tdamp\twind\touten\tde\tcellar. \\\"'Scuse\tme!\t'Scuse\tme!\\\"\tbeg'\tli'l'\tMose.\t\\\"Ah\tain't\tknow\tdat\twas\tyo'\thead,\tan'\tI ain't\tknow\tyou\twas\tdar\tat\tall.\t'Scuse\tme!\\\" \\\"Ah\t 'scuse\t you\t ef\t you\t do\t me\t dis\t favor,\\\"\t say'\t de\t ghost.\t \\\"Ah\t got\t somefin' powerful\t important\t to\t say\t unto\t you,\t an'\t Ah\t can't\t say\t hit\t 'ca'se\t Ah\t ain't\t got\t no head;\tan'\twhin\tAh\tain't\tgot\tno\thead,\tAh\tain't\tgot\tno\tmouf,\tan'\twhin\tAh\tain't\tgot no\tmouf,\tAh\tcan't\ttalk\tat\tall.\\\" An'\t dat\t right\t logical\t fo'\t shore.\t Can't\t nobody\t talk\t whin\t he\t ain't\t got\t no\t mouf, an'\t can't\t nobody\t have\t no\t mouf\t whin\t he\t ain't\t got\t no\t head,\t an'\t whin\t li'l'\t black Mose\the\tlook',\the\tsee'\tdat\tghost\tain't\tgot\tno\thead\tat\tall.\tNary\thead. So\tde\tghost\tsay': \\\"Ah\tcome\ton\tdown\tyere\tfo'\tto\tgit\ta\tpumpkin\tfo'\ta\thead,\tan'\tAh\tpick'\tdat\tixact pumpkin\twhut\tyo'\tgwine\ttek,\tan'\tAh\tdon't\tlike\tdat\tone\tbit.\tNo,\tsah.\tAh\tfeel\tlike Ah\tpick\tyo'\tup\tan'\tcarry\tyo'\taway,\tan'\tnobody\tsee\tyou\tno\tmore\tfor\tyever.\tBut\tAh got\t somefin'\t powerful\t important\t to\t say\t unto\t yo',\t an'\t if\t yo'\t pick\t up\t dat\t pumpkin an'\t sot\t in\t on\t de\t place\t whar\t my\t head\t ought\t to\t be,\t Ah\t let\t you\t off\t dis\t time,\t 'ca'se Ah\tain't\tbeen\table\tto\ttalk\tfo'\tso\tlong\tAh\tright\thongry\tto\tsay\tsomefin'.\\\" So\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\the\theft\tup\tdat\tpumpkin,\tan'\tde\tghost\the\tbend'\tdown,\tan'\tli'l' black\tMose\the\tsot\tdat\tpumpkin\ton\tdat\tghostses\tneck.\tAn'\tright\toff\tdat\tpumpkin head\t'gin'\tto\twink\tan'\tblink\tlike\ta\tjack-o'-lantern,\tan'\tright\toff\tdat\tpumpkin\thead","'gin'\t to\t glimmer\t an'\t glow\t frough\t de\t mouf\t like\t a\t jack-o'-lantern,\t an'\t right\t off\t dat ghost\tstart'\tto\tspeak.\tYas,\tsah,\tdass\tso. \\\"Whut\tyo'\twant\tto\tsay\tunto\tme?\\\"\tinquire'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose. \\\"Ah\t want\t to\t tell\t yo',\\\"\t say'\t de\t ghost,\t \\\"dat\t yo'\t ain't\t need\t yever\t be\t skeered\t of ghosts,\t'ca'se\tdey\tain't\tno\tghosts.\\\" An'\twhin\the\tsay\tdat,\tde\tghost\tjes\tvanish'\taway\tlike\tde\tsmoke\tin\tJuly.\tHe\tain't even\tlinger\tround\tdat\tlocality\tlike\tde\tsmoke\tin\tYoctober.\tHe\tjes\tdissipate'\touten de\tair,\tan'\the\tgone\tintirely. So\t li'l'\t Mose\t he\t grab'\t up\t de\t nex'\t bestest\t pumpkin\t an'\t he\t scoot'.\t An'\t whin\t he come'\t to\t be\t grabeyard\t in\t de\t hollow,\t he\t goin'\t erlong\t same\t as\t yever,\t on'y\t faster, whin\the\treckon'\the\t'll\tpick\tup\ta\tclub\tin\tcase\the\tgwine\thave\ttrouble.\tAn'\the\trotch' down\tan'\trotch'\tdown\tan'\ttek'\thold\tof\ta\tlikely\tappearin'\thunk\to'\twood\twhut\tright dar.\tAn'\twhin\the\tgrab'\tdat\thunk\tof\twood\u2014\u2014 \\\"Let\tloosen\tmy\tleg!\\\"\tsay'\ta\tbig\tvoice\tall\ton\ta\tsuddent. Dat\tli'l'\tblack\tboy\t'most\tjump'\touten\the\tskin,\t'ca'se\tright\tdar\tin\tde\tpaff\tis\tsix 'mendjus\tbig\tghostes,\tan'\tde\tbigges'\tain't\tgot\tbut\tone\tleg.\tSo\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\tjes natchully\thanded\tdat\thunk\tof\twood\tto\tdat\tbigges'\tghost,\tan'\the\tsay': \\\"'Scuse\tme,\tMistah\tGhost;\tAh\tain't\tknow\tdis\tyour\tleg.\\\" An'\twhut\tdem\tsix\tghostes\tdo\tbut\tstand\tround\tan'\tconfabulate?\tYas,\tsah,\tdass so.\tAn'\twhin\tdey\tdo\tso,\tone\tsay': \\\"'Pears\tlike\tdis\ta\tmighty\tlikely\tli'l'\tblack\tboy.\tWhut\twe\tgwine\tdo\tfo'\tto\treward him\tfo'\tpoliteness?\\\" An'\tanudder\tsay': \\\"Tell\thim\twhut\tde\ttruth\tis\t'bout\tghostes.\\\" So\tde\tbigges'\tghost\the\tsay': \\\"Ah\tgwine\ttell\tyo'\tsomefin'\timportant\twhut\tyever'body\tdon't\tknow:\tDey\tain't no\tghosts.\\\" An'\twhin\the\tsay'\tdat,\tde\tghostes\tjes\tnatchully\tvanish\taway,\tan'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose he\t proceed'\t up\t de\t paff.\t He\t so\t scared\t he\t hair\t jes\t yank'\t at\t de\t roots,\t an'\t whin\t de wind\t go',\t \\\"Oo-oo-o-o-o!\\\"\t an'\t de\t owl\t go',\t \\\"Whut-whoo-o-o-o!\\\"\t an'\t de\t rain-doves","go,\t \\\"You-you-o-o-o!\\\"\t he\t jes\t tremble'\t an'\t shake'.\t An'\t byme-by\t he\t come'\t to\t de cemuntary\twhut\tbetwixt\tan'\tbetween,\tan'\the\tshore\tis\tmighty\tskeered,\t'ca'se\tdey\tis a\t whole\t comp'ny\t of\t ghostes\t lined\t up\t along\t de\t road,\t an'\t he\t 'low'\t he\t ain't\t gwine spind\t no\t more\t time\t palaverin'\t wid\t ghostes.\t So\t he\t step'\t often\t de\t road\t fo'\t to\t go round\terbout,\tan'\the\tstep'\ton\ta\tpine-stump\twhut\tlay\tright\tdar. \\\"Git\toffen\tmy\t chest!\\\"\t say'\t a\t big\t voice\t all\t on\t a\t suddent,\t 'ca'se\t dat\t stump\t am been\tselected\tby\tde\tcaptain\tob\tde\tghostes\tfor\tto\tbe\the\tchest,\t'ca'se\the\tain't\tgot\tno chest\t betwixt\t he\t shoulders\t an'\t he\t legs.\t An'\t li'l'\t black\t Mose\t he\t hop'\t offen\t dat stump\tright\tpeart.\tYes,\tsah;\tright\tpeart. \\\"'Scuse\tme!\t'Scuse\tme!\\\"\tdat\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\tbeg'\tan'\tplead,\tan'\tde\tghostes\tain't know\twhuther\tto\teat\thim\tall\tup\tor\tnot,\t'ca'se\the\tstep'\ton\tde\tboss\tghostes's\tchest dat\ta-way.\tBut\tbyme-by\tthey\t'low\tthey\tlet\thim\tgo\t'ca'se\tdat\twas\tan\taccident,\tan' de\tcaptain\tghost\the\tsay',\t\\\"Mose,\tyou\tMose,\tAh\tgwine\tlet\tyou\toff\tdis\ttime,\t'ca'se you\t ain't\t nuffin'\t but\t a\t misabul\t li'l'\t tremblin'\t nigger;\t but\t Ah\t want\t you\t should remimimber\tone\tthing\tmos'\tparticular'.\\\" \\\"Ya-yas,\tsah,\\\"\tsay'\tdat\tli'l'\tblack\tboy;\t\\\"Ah'll\tremimber.\tWhut\tis\tdat\tAh\tgot\tto remimber?\\\" De\tcaptain\tghost\the\tswell'\tup,\tan'\the\tswell'\tup,\ttwell\the\tas\tbig\tas\ta\thouse,\tan' he\tsay'\tin\ta\tvoice\twhut\tshake'\tde\tground: \\\"Dey\tain't\tno\tghosts.\\\" So\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\the\tbound\tto\tremimber\tdat,\tan'\the\trise'\tup\tan'\tmek'\ta\tbow, an'\the\tproceed'\ttoward\thome\tright\tlibely.\tHe\tdo,\tindeed. An'\t he\t gwine\t along\t jes\t as\t fast\t as\t he\t kin'\t whin\t he\t come'\t to\t de\t aidge\t ob\t de buryin'-ground\t whut\t on\t de\t hill,\t an'\t right\t dar\t he\t bound\t to\t stop,\t 'ca'se\t de\t kentry round\tabout\tam\tso\tpopulate'\the\tain't\table\tto\tgo\tfrough.\tYas,\tsah,\tseem'\tlike\tall\tde ghostes\t in\t de\t world\t habin'\t a\t conferince\t right\t dar.\t Seem'\t like\t all\t de\t ghosteses whut\t yever\t was\t am\t havin'\t a\t convintion\t on\t dat\t spot.\t An'\t dat\t li'l'\t black\t Mose\t so skeered\the\tjes\tfall'\tdown\ton\ta'\told\tlog\twhut\tdar\tan'\tscreech'\tan'\tmoan'.\tAn'\tall\ton a\tsuddent\tde\tlog\tup\tand\tspoke\tto\tli'l'\tMose: \\\"Get\toffen\tme!\tGet\toffen\tme!\\\"\tyell'\tdat\tlog. So\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\the\tgit'\toffen\tdat\tlog,\tan'\tno\tmistake. An'\tsoon\tas\the\tgit'\toffen\tde\tlog,\tde\tlog\tuprise,\tan'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\the\tsee'\tdat","dat\t log\t am\t de\t king\t ob\t all\t de\t ghostes.\t An'\t whin\t de\t king\t uprise,\t all\t de congregation\tcrowd\tround\tli'l'\tblack\tMose,\tan'\tdey\tam\tabout\tleben\tmillium\tan'\ta few\t lift\t over.\t Yes,\t sah;\t dat\t de\t reg'lar\t annyul\t Hallowe'en\t convintion\t whut\t li'l' black\tMose\tinterrup'.\tRight\tdar\tam\tall\tde\tsperits\tin\tde\tworld,\tan'\tall\tde\tha'nts\tin de\tworld,\tan'\tall\tde\thobgoblins\tin\tde\tworld,\tan'\tall\tde\tghouls\tin\tde\tworld,\tan'\tall de\tspicters\tin\tde\tworld,\tan'\tall\tde\tghostes\tin\tde\tworld.\tAn'\twhin\tdey\tsee\tli'l'\tblack Mose,\t dey\t all\t gnash\t dey\t teef\t an'\t grin'\t 'ca'se\t it\t gettin'\t erlong\t toward\t dey-all's lunch-time.\tSo\tde\tking,\twhut\the\tname\told\tSkull-an'-Bones,\the\tstep'\ton\ttop\tob\tli'l' Mose's\thead,\tan'\the\tsay': \\\"Gin'l'min,\tde\tconvintion\twill\tcome\tto\torder.\tDe\tsicretary\tplease\tnote\twho\tis prisint.\tDe\tfirs'\tbusiness\twhut\tcome'\tbefore\tde\tconvintion\tam:\twhut\twe\tgwine\tdo to\t a\t li'l'\t black\t boy\t whut\t stip'\t on\t de\t king\t an'\t maul'\t all\t ober\t de\t king\t an'\t treat'\t de king\tdat\tdisrespictful'.\\\" An'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\tjes\tmoan'\tan'\tsob': \\\"'Scuse\tme!\t'Scuse\tme,\tMistah\tKing!\tAh\tain't\tmean\tno\tharm\tat\tall.\\\" But\t nobody\t ain't\t pay\t no\t attintion\t to\t him\t at\t all,\t 'ca'se\t yevery\t one\t lookin'\t at\t a monstrous\tbig\tha'nt\twhut\tname\tBloody\tBones,\twhut\trose\tup\tan'\tspoke. \\\"Your\t Honor,\t Mistah\t King,\t an'\t gin'l'min\t an'\t ladies,\\\"\t he\t say',\t \\\"dis\t am\t a\t right bad\tcase\tob\tlazy\tmajesty,\t'ca'se\tde\tking\tbeen\tstep\ton.\tWhin\tyivery\tli'l'\tblack\tboy whut\tchoose'\tgwine\twander\tround\tat\tnight\tan'\tstip\ton\tde\tking\tob\tghostes,\tit\tain't no\t time\t for\t to\t palaver,\t it\t ain't\t no\t time\t for\t to\t prevaricate,\t it\t ain't\t no\t time\t for\t to cogitate,\tit\tain't\tno\ttime\tdo\tnuffin'\tbut\ttell\tde\ttruth,\tan'\tde\twhole\ttruth,\tan'\tnuffin' but\tde\ttruth.\\\" An'\t all\t dem\t ghostes\t sicond\t de\t motion,\t an'\t dey\t confabulate\t out\t loud\t erbout dat,\tan'\tde\tnoise\tsoun'\tlike\tde\train-doves\tgoin',\t\\\"Oo-oo-o-o-o!\\\"\tan'\tde\towls\tgoin', \\\"Whut-whoo-o-o-o!\\\"\t an'\t de\t wind\t goin',\t \\\"You-you-o-o-o!\\\"\t So\t dat\t risolution\t am passed\tunanermous,\tan'\tno\tmistake. So\tde\tking\tob\tde\tghostes,\twhut\tname\told\tSkull-an'-Bones,\the\tplace'\the\thand on\tde\thead\tob\tli'l'\tblack\tMose,\tan'\the\thand\tfeel\tlike\ta\twet\trag,\tan'\the\tsay': \\\"Dey\tain't\tno\tghosts.\\\" An'\tone\tob\tde\thairs\twhut\ton\tde\thead\tob\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\tturn'\twhite. An'\tde\tmonstrous\tbig\tha'nt\twhut\the\tname\tBloody\tBones\the\tlay\the\thand\ton\tde","head\tob\tli'l'\tblack\tMose,\tan'\the\thand\tfeel\tlike\ta\ttoadstool\tin\tde\tcool\tob\tde\tday,\tan' he\tsay': \\\"Dey\tain't\tno\tghosts.\\\" An'\tanudder\tob\tde\thairs\twhut\ton\tde\thead\tob\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\tturn'\twhite. An'\t a\t heejus\t sperit\t whut\t he\t name\t Moldy\t Pa'm\t place'\t he\t hand\t on\t de\t head\t ob li'l'\tblack\tMose,\tan'\the\thand\tfeel\tlike\tde\tyunner\tside\tob\ta\tlizard,\tan'\the\tsay': \\\"Dey\tain't\tno\tghosts.\\\" An'\t anudder\t ob\t de\t hairs\t whut\t on\t de\t head\t ob\t li'l'\t black\t Mose\t turn'\t white\t as snow. An'\t a\t perticklar\t bend-up\t hobgoblin\t he\t put'\t he\t hand\t on\t de\t head\t ob\t li'l'\t black Mose,\t an'\t he\t mek'\t dat\t same\t remark,\t an'\t dat\t whole\t convintion\t ob\t ghostes\t an' spicters\tan'\tha'nts\tan'\tyiver-thing,\twhich\tam\tmore\t'n\ta\tmillium,\tpass\tby\tso\tquick dey-all's\thands\tfeel\tlak\tde\twind\twhut\tblow\touten\tde\tcellar\twhin\tde\tday\tam\thot, an'\t dey-all\t say,\t \\\"Dey\t ain't\t no\t ghosts.\\\"\t Yas,\t sah,\t dey-all\t say\t dem\t wo'ds\t so\t fas'\t it souun'\t like\t de\t wind\t whin\t it\t moan\t frough\t de\t turkentine-trees\t whut\t behind\t de cider-priss.\tAn'\tyivery\thair\twhut\ton\tli'l'\tblack\tMose's\thead\tturn'\twhite.\tDat\twhut happen'\twhin\ta\tli'l'\tblack\tboy\tgwine\tmeet\ta\tghost\tconvintion\tdat-away.\tDat's\tso he\t ain'\t gwine\t forgit\t to\t remimber\t dey\t ain't\t no\t ghostes.\t 'Ca'se\t ef\t a\t li'l'\t black\t boy gwine\timaginate\tdey\tis\tghostes,\the\tgwine\tbe\tskeered\tin\tde\tdark.\tAn'\tdat\ta\tfoolish thing\tfor\tto\timaginate. So\tprisintly\tall\tde\tghostes\tam\twhiff\taway,\tlike\tde\tfog\touten\tde\tholler\twhin\tde wind\t blow'\t on\t it,\t an'\t li'l'\t black\t Mose\t he\t ain'\t see\t no\t ca'se\t for\t to\t remain\t in\t dat locality\t no\t longer.\t He\t rotch'\t down,\t an'\t he\t raise'\t up\t de\t pumpkin,\t an'\t he perambulate'\tright\tquick\tto\the\tma's\tshack,\tan'\the\tlift'\tup\tde\tlatch,\tan'\the\topen'\tde do',\tan'\the\tyenter'\tin.\tAn'\the\tsay': \\\"Yere's\tde\tpumpkin.\\\" An'\t he\t ma\t an'\t he\t pa,\t an'\t Sally\t Ann,\t whut\t live\t up\t de\t road,\t an'\t Mistah\t Sally Ann,\t whut\t her\t husban',\t an'\t Zack\t Badget,\t an'\t de\t school-teacher\t whut\t board\t at Unc'-Silas\tDiggs's\thouse,\tan'\tall\tde\tpowerful\tlot\tof\tfolks\twhut\tcome\tto\tde\tdoin's, dey\t all\t scrooged\t back\t in\t de\t cornder\t ob\t de\t shack,\t 'ca'se\t Zack\t Badget\t he\t been done\t tell\t a\t ghost-tale,\t an'\t de\t rain-doves\t gwine,\t \\\"Oo-oo-o-o-o!\\\"\tan'\tde\towls\tam gwine,\t\\\"Whut-whoo-o-o-o!\\\"\t and\t de\t wind\t it\t gwine,\t \\\"You-you-o-o-o!\\\"\t an'\t yiver- body\tpowerful\tskeered.\t'Ca'se\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\the\tcome'\ta-fumblin'\tan'\ta-rattlin'\tat","de\tdo'\tjes\twhin\tdat\tghost-tale\tmos'\tskeery,\tan'\tyiver'body\tgwine\timaginate\tdat\the a\tghost\ta-fumblin'\tan'\ta-rattlin'\tat\tde\tdo'.\tYas,\tsah.\tSo\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\the\tturn'\the white\thead,\tan'\the\tlook'\troun'\tan'\tpeer'\troun',\tan'\the\tsay': \\\"Whut\tyou\tall\tskeered\tfo'?\\\" 'Ca'se\tef\tanybody\tskeered,\the\twant'\tto\tbe\tskeered,\ttoo.\tDat\t's\tnatural.\tBut\tde school-teacher,\twhut\tlive\tat\tUnc'\tSilas\tDiggs's\thouse,\tshe\tsay': \\\"Fo'\tde\tlan's\tsake,\twe\tfought\tyou\twas\ta\tghost!\\\" So\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\the\tsort\tob\tsniff\tan'\the\tsort\tob\tsneer,\tan'\the\t'low':","\\\"Huh!\tdey\tain't\tno\tghosts.\\\" Den\t he\t ma\t she\t powerful\t took\t back\t dat\t li'l'\t black\t Mose\t he\t gwine\t be\t so uppetish\t an'\t contrydict\t folks\t whut\t know\t 'rifmeticks\t an'\t algebricks\t an'\t gin'ral countin'\twidout\tfingers,\tlike\tde\tschool-teacher\twhut\tboard\tat\tUnc'\tSilas\tDiggs's house\tknows,\tan'\tshe\tsay': \\\"Huh!\twhut\tyou\tknow\t'bout\tghosts,\tanner\tways?\\\" An'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\the\tjes\tkinder\tstan'\ton\tone\tfoot,\tan'\the\tjes\tkinder\tsuck'\the thumb,\tan'\the\tjes\tkinder\t'low': \\\"I\tdon'\tknow\tnuffin'\terbout\tghosts,\t'ca'se\tdey\tain't\tno\tghosts.\\\" So\t he\t pa\t gwine\t whop\t him\t fo'\t tellin'\t a\t fib\t 'bout\t dey\t ain'\t no\t ghosts\t whin yiver'body\t know'\t dey\t is\t ghosts;\t but\t de\t school-teacher,\t whut\t board\t at\t Unc'\t Silas Diggs's\t house,\t she\t tek'\t note\t de\t hair\t ob\t li'l'\t black\t Mose's\t head\t am\t plumb\t white, an'\tshe\ttek'\tnote\tli'l'\tblack\tMose's\tface\tam\tde\tcolor\tob\twood-ash,\tso\tshe\tjes\tretch' one\tarm\tround\tdat\tli'l'\tblack\tboy,\tan'\tshe\tjes\tsnuggle'\thim\tup,\tan'\tshe\tsay': \\\"Honey\t lamb,\t don't\t you\t be\t skeered;\t ain'\t nobody\t gwine\t hurt\t you.\t How\t you know\tdey\tain't\tno\tghosts?\\\" An'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\the\tkinder\tlean'\tup\t'g'inst\tde\tschool-teacher\twhut\tboard\tat Unc'\tSilas\tDiggs's\thouse,\tan'\the\t'low': \\\"'Ca'se\u2014'ca'se\u2014'ca'se\t I\t met\t de\t cap'n\t ghost,\t an'\t I\t met\t de\t gin'ral\t ghost,\t an'\t I met\tde\tking\tghost,\tan'\tI\tmet\tall\tde\tghostes\twhut\tyiver\twas\tin\tde\twhole\tworl',\tan' yivery\tghost\tsay'\tde\tsame\tthing:\t'Dey\tain't\tno\tghosts.'\tAn'\tif\tde\tcap'n\tghost\tan'\tde gin'ral\tghost\tan'\tde\tking\tghost\tan'\tall\tde\tghostes\tin\tde\twhole\tworl'\tdon'\tknow\tef dar\tam\tghostes,\twho\tdoes?\\\" \\\"Das\t right;\t das\t right,\t honey\t lamb,\\\"\t say'\t de\t school-teacher.\t And\t she\t say':\t \\\"I been\t s'picious\t dey\t ain'\t no\t ghostes\t dis\t long\t whiles,\t an'\t now\t I\t know.\t Ef\t all\t de ghostes\tsay\tdey\tain'\tno\tghosts,\tdey\tain'\tno\tghosts.\\\" So\t yiver'body\t 'low'\t dat\t so\t 'cep'\t Zack\t Badget,\t whut\t been\t tellin'\t de\t ghost-tale, an'\the\tain'\tgwine\tsay\t\\\"Yis\\\"\tan'\the\tain'\tgwine\tsay\t\\\"No,\\\"\t'ca'se\the\tright\tsweet\ton\tde school-teacher;\tbut\the\tknow\tright\twell\the\tdone\tseen\tplinty\tghostes\tin\the\tday.\tSo he\tboun'\tto\tbe\tsure\tfust.\tSo\the\tsay'\tto\tli'l'\tblack\tMose: \\\"'Tain'\t likely\t you\t met\t up\t wid\t a\t monstrous\t big\t ha'nt\t whut\t live'\t down\t de\t lane","whut\the\tname\tBloody\tBones?\\\" \\\"Yas,\\\"\tsay'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose,\t\\\"I\tdone\tmet\tup\twid\thim.\\\" \\\"An'\t did\t old\t Bloody\t Bones\t done\t tol'\t you\t dey\t ain'\t no\t ghosts?\\\"\t say\t Zack Badget. \\\"Yas,\\\"\tsay'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose,\t\\\"he\tdone\ttell\tme\tperzackly\tdat.\\\" \\\"Well,\tif\the\ttol'\tyou\tdey\tain't\tno\tghosts,\\\"\tsay'\tZack\tBadget,\t\\\"I\tgot\tto\t'low\tdey ain't\tno\tghosts,\t'ca'se\the\tain'\tgwine\ttell\tno\tlie\terbout\tit.\tI\tknow\tdat\tBloody\tBones ghost\t sence\t I\t was\t a\t piccaninny,\t an'\t I\t done\t met\t up\t wif\t him\t a\t powerful\t lot\t o' times,\tan'\the\tain'\tgwine\ttell\tno\tlie\terbout\tit.\tEf\tdat\tperticklar\tghost\tsay'\tdey\tain't no\tghosts,\tdey\tain't\tno\tghosts.\\\" So\tyiver-body\tsay': \\\"Das\tright;\tdey\tain't\tno\tghosts.\\\" An'\t dat\t mek'\t li'l'\t black\t Mose\t feel\t mighty\t good,\t 'ca'se\t he\t ain'\t lak\t ghostes.\t He reckon'\the\tgwine\tbe\ta\theap\tmo'\tcomfortable\tin\the\tmind\tsence\the\tknow'\tdey\tain' no\t ghosts,\t an'\t he\t reckon'\t he\t ain'\t gwine\t be\t skeered\t of\t nuffin'\t never\t no\t more.\t He ain'\tgwine\tmin'\tde\tdark,\tan'\the\tain'\tgwine\tmin'\tde\train-doves\twhut\tgo',\t\\\"Oo-oo-o- o-o!\\\"\t an'\t he\t ain'\t gwine\t min'\t de\t owls\t whut\t go',\t \\\"Who-whoo-o-o-o!\\\"\t an'\t he\t ain' gwine\tmin'\tde\twind\twhut\tgo',\t\\\"You-you-o-o-o!\\\"\tnor\tnuffin',\tnohow.\tHe\tgwine\tbe brave\t as\t a\t lion,\t sence\t he\t know'\t fo'\t sure\t dey\t ain'\t no\t ghosts.\t So\t prisintly\t he\t ma say': \\\"Well,\t time\t fo'\t a\t li'l'\t black\t boy\t whut\t he\t name\t is\t Mose\t to\t be\t gwine\t up\t de ladder\tto\tde\tloft\tto\tbed.\\\" An'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\the\t'low'\the\tgwine\twait\ta\tbit.\tHe\t'low'\the\tgwine\tjes\twait\ta li'l'\t bit.\t How\t 'low'\t he\t gwine\t be\t no\t trouble\t at\t all\t ef\t he\t jes\t been\t let\t wait\t twell\t he ma\tshe\tgwine\tup\tde\tladder\tto\tde\tloft\tto\tbed,\ttoo.\tSo\the\tma\tshe\tsay': \\\"Git\terlong\twid\tyo'!\tWhut\tyo'\tskeered\tob\twhin\tdey\tain't\tno\tghosts?\\\" An'\tli'l'\tblack\tMose\the\tscrooge',\tand\the\ttwist',\tan'\the\tpucker'\tup\the\tmouf,\tan' he\trub'\the\teyes,\tan'\tprisintly\the\tsay'\tright\tlow: \\\"I\tain'\tskeered\tob\tghosts\twhut\tam,\t'ca'se\tdey\tain'\tno\tghosts.\\\" \\\"Den\twhut\tam\tyo'\tskeered\tob?\\\"\task\the\tma.","\\\"Nuffin',\\\"\tsay'\tde\tli'l'\tblack\tboy\twhut\the\tname\tis\tMose;\t\\\"but\tI\tjes\tfeel\tkinder oneasy\t'bout\tde\tghosts\twhut\tain't.\\\" Jes\tlak\twhite\tfolks!\tJes\tlak\twhite\tfolks!","SOME\tREAL\tAMERICAN\tGHOSTS THE\tGIANT\tGHOST (Philadelphia\tPress,\tSept.\t13,\t1896) A\t case\t in\t point\t is\t the\t Benton,\t Indiana,\t ghost,\t which\t is\t attracting\t much attention.\tIt\thas\tbeen\tseen\tand\tinvestigated\tby\tmany\tpeople\twith\treputations\tfor intelligence\tand\tgood\tsense,\tbut\tso\tfar\tno\texplanation\tof\tthe\tstrange\tappearance has\tbeen\tfound. A\t farmer\t named\t John\t W.\t French\t and\t his\t wife\t were\t the\t first\t to\t see\t this apparition.\t They\t live\t in\t the\t country\t near\t Benton,\t and\t were\t driving\t home\t one night\t from\t a\t neighbor's.\t The\t road\t passed\t an\t old\t church,\t moss-covered\t and surrounded\tby\ta\tgraveyard,\tovergrown\twith\tshrubbery\tand\tfilled\twith\tthe\tbones of\t hundreds\t who\t once\t tilled\t the\t soil\t in\t the\t locality.\t Ten\t years\t ago\t an\t aged\t man who\t lived\t alone\t not\t far\t from\t the\t old\t church\t and\t visited\t the\t graveyard\t almost daily\tto\tpray\tover\tthe\tresting\tplace\tof\tsome\trelative\twas\tfoully\tmurdered\tfor\tthe store\t of\t gold\t he\t was\t supposed\t to\t have\t hidden\t about\t his\t hermit\t abode.\t The robbers\tand\tmurderers\tescaped\tjustice,\tand\tthe\tluckless\tgraybeard\twas\tburied\tin the\t graveyard\t where\t he\t spent\t so\t much\t time.\t Just\t as\t French\t and\t his\t wife\t drew within\tsight\tof\tthe\twhite\theadstones\tin\tthe\tchurchyard\tthe\thorses\treared\tback\ton their\t haunches\t and\t snorted\t in\t terror.\t French\t was\t alarmed,\t and\t suspecting highwaymen\thad\tbeen\tscented\tby\tthe\thorses,\the\treached\tfor\ta\tshotgun\twhich\tlay in\t the\t bottom\t of\t the\t wagon\t for\t just\t such\t an\t emergency.\t But\t before\t his\t hand touched\t it\t he\t was\t startled\t by\t a\t scream\t from\t his\t wife.\t Clutching\t his\t arm\t she pointed\tstraight\tahead\tand\tgasped:\t\\\"Look,\tJohn,\tlook!\\\" Far\t down\t the\t road,\t just\t beside\t the\t glimmering\t monuments\t of\t the\t old graveyard,\t he\t saw\t an\t apparition.\t It\t was\t that\t of\t a\t man\t with\t a\t long\t white\t beard sweeping\t over\t his\t breast.\t The\t figure\t appeared\t to\t be\t eight\t feet\t in\t height\t and\t in one\thand\tit\tcarried\ta\tclub,\tsuch\tas\tthe\tbrains\tof\tthe\told\tman\thad\tbeen\tbeaten\tout with\t ten\t years\t before.\t Slowly\t raising\t one\t arm\t the\t ghost\t with\t a\t majestic\t sweep beckoned\tFrench\tto\tcome\tahead.\tHe\twas\ttoo\tstartled\tto\tdo\tanything\texcept\ttry\tto restrain\t the\t prancing\t horses,\t which\twere\tstraining\tat\tthe\tharness\tin\tattempts\tto break\taway\tand\trun.\tA\tcold\tsweat\tstarted\tout\tall\tover\tthe\tbody\tof\tthe\tfarmer\tas he\trealized\tthat\the\twas\tat\tlast\tlooking\tat\ta\tghost,\tand\tthen\tthe\tsound\tof\this\twife's","voice\tcame\tto\thim\tbegging\thim\tto\treturn\tthe\tway\tthey\thad\tcome\tand\tescape\tthe doom\twhich\tseemed\timpending.\tFrench\twas\tstill\ttoo\tmuch\tscared\tand\texcited\tto control\t the\t horses,\t and\t as\t he\t gazed\t steadfastly\t at\t the\t fearful\t white\t object\t in\t the road\tit\tslowly\tbegan\tto\tmove\ttoward\tthe\twagon.\tThe\tclub\twas\tnow\traised\tto\tits shoulder,\t as\t a\t soldier\t carries\t a\t rifle,\t and\t it\t seemed\t to\t move\t forward\t without touching\tthe\tground,\tlike\ta\twinged\tthing. Then\t the\t farmer\t recovered\t his\t faculties\t and,\t whirling\t his\t team\t around,\t he lashed\tthe\thorses\tinto\ta\trun\tand\tbegan\tthe\ttrip\tto\tthe\thouse\tof\tthe\tfriend\the\thad just\tleft.\tWhen\tthey\tarrived\tthere\tboth\tthe\tman\tand\this\twife\twere\talmost\tfainting from\tfright. The\t next\t man\t to\t see\t the\t ghost\t was\t Milton\t Moon.\t He\t had\t the\t reputation\t for being\t not\t only\t a\t man\t of\t intelligence\t but\t one\t without\t fear.\t His\t experience\t was much\tthe\tsame\tas\tthat\tof\tthe\tFrenches\tand\tit\tbrought\tabout\tseveral\tinvestigations by\t parties\t of\t citizens.\t In\t each\t case\t they\t saw\t and\t were\t convinced\t of\t the\t actual presence\t of\t the\t ghost\t without\t being\t able\t to\t discover\t any\t satisfactory explanation. SOME\tFAMOUS\tGHOSTS\tOF\tTHE\tNATIONAL\tCAPITOL (Philadelphia\tPress,\tOct.\t2,\t1898) The\tCapitol\tat\tWashington\tis\tprobably\tthe\tmost\tthoroughly\thaunted\tbuilding in\tthe\tworld. Not\tless\tthan\tfifteen\twell-authenticated\tghosts\tinfest\tit,\tand\tsome\tof\tthem\tare of\ta\tmore\tthan\tordinarily\talarming\tcharacter. What\t particularly\t inspires\t this\t last\t remark\t is\t the\t fact\t that\t the\t Demon\t Cat\t is said\t to\thave\tmade\t its\tappearance\t again,\tafter\tmany\tyears\t of\tabsence.\tThis\tis\ta truly\thorrific\tapparition,\tand\tno\tviewless\tspecter\tsuch\tas\tthe\tinvisible\tgrimalkin that\t even\t now\t trips\t people\t up\t on\t the\t stairs\t of\t the\t old\t mansion\t which\t President Madison\t and\t his\t wife,\t Dolly,\t occupied,\t at\t the\t corner\t of\t Eighteenth\t Street\t and New\t York\t Avenue,\t after\t the\t White\t House\t was\t burned\t by\t the\t British.\t That, indeed,\tis\taltogether\tanother\tstory;\tbut\tthe\tfeline\tspook\tof\tthe\tCapitol\tpossesses attributes\t much\t more\t remarkable,\t inasmuch\t as\t it\t has\t the\t appearance\t of\t an ordinary\tpussy\twhen\tfirst\tseen,\tand\tpresently\tswells\tup\tto\tthe\tsize\tof\tan\telephant before\tthe\teyes\tof\tthe\tterrified\tobserver. The\t Demon\t Cat,\t in\t whose\t regard\t testimony\t of\t the\t utmost\t seeming","authenticity\t was\t put\t on\t record\t thirty-five\t years\t ago,\t has\t been\t missing\t since 1862.\t One\t of\t the\t watchmen\t on\t duty\t in\t the\t building\t shot\t at\t it\t then,\t and\t it disappeared.\t Since\t then,\t until\t now,\t nothing\t more\t has\t been\t heard\t of\t it,\t though one\tor\ttwo\tof\tthe\tolder\tpolicemen\tof\tthe\tCapitol\tforce\tstill\tspeak\tof\tthe\tspectral animal\tin\tawed\twhispers. Their\twork,\twhen\tperformed\tin\tthe\tnight,\trequires\tmore\tthan\tordinary\tnerve, inasmuch\t as\t the\t interior\t of\t the\t great\t structure\t is\t literally\t alive\t with\t echoes\t and other\t suggestions\t of\t the\t supernatural.\t In\t the\t daytime,\t when\t the\t place\t is\t full\t of people\t and\t the\t noises\t of\t busy\t life,\t the\t professional\t guides\t make\t a\t point\t of showing\tpersons\thow\ta\twhisper\tuttered\twhen\tstanding\ton\ta\tcertain\tmarble\tblock is\tdistinctly\taudible\tat\tanother\tpoint\tquite\ta\tdistance\taway,\tthough\tunheard\tin\tthe space\tbetween. A\t good\t many\t phenomena\t of\t this\t kind\t are\t observable\t in\t various\t parts\t of\t the Capitol,\t and\t the\t extent\t to\t which\t they\t become\t augmented\t in\t strangeness\t during the\t silence\t of\t the\t night\t may\t well\t be\t conceived.\t The\t silence\t of\t any\t ordinary house\t is\t oppressive\t sometimes\t to\t the\t least\t superstitious\t individual.\t There\t are unaccountable\t noises,\t and\t a\t weird\t and\t eerie\t sort\t of\t feeling\t comes\t over\t him, distracting\thim\tperhaps\tfrom\tthe\tperusal\tof\this\tbook.\tHe\tfinds\thimself\tindulging in\ta\tvague\tsense\tof\talarm,\tthough\the\tcannot\timagine\tany\tcause\tfor\tit. Such\t suggestions\t of\t the\t supernatural\t are\t magnified\t a\t thousand\t fold\t in\t the Capitol,\twhen\tthe\twatchman\tpursues\this\tlonely\tbeat\tthrough\tthe\tgreat\tcorridors whose\t immense\t spaces\t impress\t him\t with\t a\t sense\t of\t solitariness,\t while\t the shadows\tthrown\tby\this\tlantern\tgather\tinto\tstrange\tand\tmenacing\tforms. One\t of\t the\t most\t curious\t and\t alarming\t of\t the\t audible\t phenomena\t observable in\tthe\tCapitol,\tso\tall\tthe\twatchmen\tsay,\tis\ta\tghostly\tfootstep\tthat\tseems\tto\tfollow anybody\twho\tcrosses\tStatuary\tHall\tat\tnight.\tIt\twas\tin\tthis\thall,\tthen\tthe\tchamber of\t the\t House\t of\t Representatives,\t that\t John\t Quincy\t Adams\t died\u2014at\t a\t spot indicated\tnow\tby\ta\tbrass\ttablet\tset\tin\ta\tstone\tslab,\twhere\tstood\this\tdesk.\tWhether or\tnot\tit\tis\this\tghost\tthat\tpursues\tis\ta\tquestion\topen\tto\tdispute,\tthough\tit\tis\tto\tbe hoped\t that\t the\t venerable\t ex-President\t rests\t more\t quietly\t in\t his\t grave.\t At\t all events,\t the\t performance\t is\t unpleasant,\t and\t even\t gruesome\t for\t him\t who\t walks across\t that\t historic\t floor,\t while\t the\t white\t marble\t statues\t of\t dead\t statesmen placed\t around\t the\t walls\t seem\t to\t point\t at\t him\t with\t outstretched\t arms\t derisively. Like\tthe\tman\tin\tColeridge's\tfamous\tlines\the \\\"\u2014walks\tin\tfear\tand\tdread,","Because\the\tknows\ta\tfrightful\tfiend\tdoth\tclose\tbehind\thim\ttread.\\\" At\t all\t events\t he\t is\t uncertain\t lest\t such\t may\t be\t the\t case.\t And,\t of\t course,\t the duties\tof\tthe\twatchman\toblige\thim,\twhen\tso\tassigned,\tto\tpatrol\tthe\tbasement\tof the\tbuilding,\twhere\tall\tsorts\tof\thobgoblins\tlie\tin\twait. One\tof\tthe\tCapitol\tpolicemen\twas\talmost\tfrightened\tout\tof\this\twits\tone\tnight when\ta\tpair\tof\tflaming\teyes\tlooked\tout\tat\thim\tfrom\tthe\tvaults\tunder\tthe\tchamber of\t the\t House\t of\t Representatives\t where\t the\t wood\t is\t stored\t for\t the\t fires.\t It\t was subsequently\t ascertained\t that\t the\t eyes\t in\t question\t were\t those\t of\t a\t fox,\t which, being\t chevied\t through\t the\t town,\t had\t sought\t refuge\t in\t the\t cellar\t of\t the\t edifice occupied\tby\tthe\tnational\tLegislature.\tThe\tanimal\twas\tkilled\tfor\tthe\treason\twhich obliges\ta\twhite\tman\tto\tslay\tany\tinnocent\tbeast\tthat\tcomes\tunder\this\tpower. But,\t speaking\t of\t the\t steps\t which\t follow\t a\t person\t at\t night\t across\t the\t floor\t of Statuary\t Hall,\t a\t bold\t watchman\t attempted\t not\t long\t ago\t to\t investigate\t them\t on scientific\tprinciples.\tHe\tsuspected\ta\ttrick,\tand\tso\tbought\ta\tpair\tof\trubber\tshoes, with\tthe\taid\tof\twhich\the\tproceeded\tto\texamine\tinto\tthe\tquestion.\tIn\tthe\tstillness of\t the\t night\t he\t made\t a\t business\t of\t patrolling\t that\t portion\t of\t the\t principal Government\tedifice,\tand,\tsure\tenough,\tthe\tfootsteps\tfollowed\talong\tbehind\thim. He\tcornered\tthem;\tit\twas\tsurely\tsome\ttrickster!\tThere\twas\tno\tpossibility\tfor\tthe joker\t to\t get\t away.\t But,\t a\t moment\t later,\t the\t steps\t were\t heard\t in\t another\t part\t of the\t hall;\t they\t had\t evaded\t him\t successfully.\t Similar\t experiments\t were\t tried\t on other\tnights,\tbut\tthey\tall\tended\tin\tthe\tsame\tway. Four\t years\t ago\t there\t died\t in\t Washington\t an\t old\t gentleman\t who\t had\t been employed\t for\t thirty-five\t years\t in\t the\t Library\t of\t Congress.\t The\t quarters\t of\t that great\tbook\tcollection,\twhile\thoused\tin\tthe\tCapitol,\twere\tdistressingly\trestricted, and\t much\t of\t the\t cataloguing\t was\t done\t by\t the\t veteran\t mentioned\t in\t a\t sort\t of vault\tin\tthe\tsub-cellar.\tThis\tvault\twas\tcrammed\twith\tmusty\ttomes\tfrom\tfloor\tto ceiling,\t and\t practically\t no\t air\t was\t admitted.\t It\t was\t a\t wonder\t that\t he\t lived\t so long,\t but,\t when\t he\t came\t to\t die,\t he\t did\t it\t rather\t suddenly.\t Anyhow,\t he\t became paralyzed\tand\tunable\tto\tspeak,\tthough\tup\tto\tthe\ttime\tof\this\tactual\tdemise\the\twas able\tto\tindicate\this\twants\tby\tgestures.\tAmong\tother\tthings,\the\tshowed\tplainly\tby signs\tthat\the\twished\tto\tbe\tconveyed\tto\tthe\told\tlibrary. This\t wish\t of\t his\t was\t not\t obeyed,\t for\t reasons\t which\t seemed\t sufficient\t to\t his family,\t and,\tfinally,\the\trelinquished\tit\tby\t giving\tup\tthe\tghost.\tIt\twas\tafterward learned\t that\t he\t had\t hidden,\t almost\t undoubtedly,\t $6000\t worth\t of\t registered United\t States\t bonds\t among\t the\t books\t in\t his\t sub-cellar\t den\u2014presumably,","concealed\t between\t the\t leaves\t of\t some\t of\t the\t moth-eaten\t volumes\t of\t which\t he was\tthe\tappointed\tguardian.\tCertainly,\tthere\tcould\tbe\tno\tbetter\tor\tless-suspected hiding-place,\tbut\tthis\twas\tjust\twhere\tthe\ttrouble\tcame\tin\tfor\tthe\theirs,\tin\twhose interest\t the\t books\t were\t vainly\t searched\t and\t shaken,\t when\t the\t transfer\t of\t the library\t from\t the\t old\t to\t its\t new\t quarters\t was\t accomplished.\t The\t heirs\t cannot secure\ta\trenewal\tof\tthe\tbonds\tby\tthe\tGovernment\twithout\tfurnishing\tproof\tof\tthe loss\tof\tthe\toriginals,\twhich\tis\tlacking,\tand,\tmeanwhile,\tit\tis\tsaid\tthat\tthe\tghost\tof the\told\tgentleman\thaunts\tthe\tvault\tin\tthe\tsub-basement\twhich\the\tused\tto\tinhabit, looking\tvainly\tfor\tthe\tmissing\tsecurities. The\t old\t gentleman\t referred\t to\t had\t some\t curious\t traits,\t though\t he\t was\t by\t no means\t a\t miser\u2014such\t as\t the\t keeping\t of\t every\t burnt\t match\t that\t he\t came\t across. He\twould\tput\tthem\taway\tin\tthe\tdrawer\tof\this\tprivate\tdesk,\ttogether\twith\texpired street-car\ttransfers\u2014the\tlatter\tdone\tup\tin\tneat\tbundles,\twith\tIndia-rubber\tbands. Quite\tan\tintimate\tfriend\the\thad,\tnamed\tTwine,\twho\tlost\this\tgrip\ton\tthe\tperch, so\tto\tspeak,\tabout\tsix\tyears\tback.\tMr.\tTwine\tdwelt\tduring\tthe\tworking\thours\tof the\t day\t in\t a\t sort\t of\t cage\t of\t iron,\t like\t that\t of\t Dreyfus,\t in\t the\t basement\t of\t the Capitol.\t As\t a\t matter\t of\t fact,\t Dreyfus\t does\t not\t occupy\t a\t cage\t at\t all;\t the\t notion that\the\tdoes\tso\tarises\tfrom\ta\tmisunderstanding\tof\tthe\tFrench\tword\t\\\"case,\\\"\twhich signifies\ta\thut. However,\tTwine's\tcage\twas\ta\treal\tone\tof\tiron\twire,\tand\tinside\tof\tit\the\tmade\ta business\tof\tstamping\tthe\tbooks\tof\tthe\tlibrary\twith\ta\tmixture\tmade\tof\talcohol\tand lampblack.\t If\t the\t observation\t of\t casual\t employees\t about\t the\t Capitol\t is\t to\t be trusted,\tMr.\tTwine's\tghost\tis\tstill\tengaged\tat\tintervals\tin\tthe\tbusiness\tof\tstamping books\t at\t the\t old\t stand,\t though\t his\t industry\t must\t be\t very\t unprofitable\t since\t the Government's\tliterary\tcollection\thas\tbeen\tmoved\tout\tof\tthe\tCapitol. Ghosts\t are\t supposed\t to\t appertain\t most\t appropriately\t to\t the\t lower\t regions, inasmuch\tas\tthe\tancients\twho\tdescribed\tthem\tfirst\tconsigned\tthe\tblessed\tas\twell as\t the\t damned\t to\t a\t nether\t world.\t Consequently,\t it\t is\t not\t surprising\t to\t find\t that phantoms\tof\tthe\tCapitol\tare\tmostly\trelegated\tto\tthe\tbasement. Exceptions\t are\t made\t in\t the\t case\t of\t Vice-President\t Wilson,\t who,\t as\t will\t be remembered,\t died\t in\t his\t room\t at\t the\t Senate\t end\t of\t the\t building,\t and\t also\t with respect\tto\tJohn\tQuincy\tAdams,\twhose\tnocturnal\tperambulations\tare\tso\tannoying to\tthe\twatchmen.\tMr.\tWilson\tis\tonly\tan\toccasional\tvisitor\ton\tthe\tpremises,\tit\tis understood,\tfinding\this\tway\tthither,\tprobably,\twhen\tnothing\telse\tof\timportance\tis \\\"up,\\\"\tso\tto\tspeak,\tin\tthe\tspiritual\trealm\twhich\tnow\tclaims\thim\tfor\tits\town.\tIt\tis","related\tthat\ton\tone\toccasion\the\tnearly\tfrightened\tto\tdeath\ta\twatchman\twho\twas guarding\tthe\tcoffin\tof\ta\tTennessee\tSenator\twho\twas\tlying\tin\tstate\tin\tthe\tSenate Chamber.\t The\t startle\t was\t doubtless\t uncontemplated,\t inasmuch\t as\t the\t Senator was\ttoo\twell\tbred\ta\tman\tto\ttake\tanybody\tunpleasantly\tby\tsurprise. There\t was\t a\t watchman,\t employed\t quite\t a\t while\t ago\t as\t a\t member\t of\t the Capitol\tpolice,\twho\twas\tdischarged\tfinally\tfor\tdrunkenness.\tNo\tfaith,\ttherefore, is\t to\t be\t placed\t in\t his\t sworn\t statement,\t which\t was\t actually\t made,\t to\t the\t effect that\t on\t a\t certain\t occasion\t he\t passed\t through\t the\t old\t Hall\t of\t Representatives\u2014 now\tStatuary\tHall\u2014and\tsaw\tin\tsession\tthe\tCongress\tof\t1848,\twith\tJohn\tQuincy Adams\t and\t many\t other\t men\t whose\t names\t have\t long\t ago\t passed\t into\t history.\t It was,\t if\t the\t word\t of\t the\t witness\t is\t to\t be\t believed,\t a\t phantom\t legislative\t crew, resembling\t in\t kind\t if\t not\t in\t character\t the\t goblins\t which\t Rip\t Van\t Winkle encountered\ton\this\ttrip\tto\tthe\tsummits\tof\tthe\tstoried\tCatskills. But\u2014to\t come\t down\t to\t things\t that\t are\t well\t authenticated\t and\t sure, comparatively\t speaking\u2014the\t basement\t of\t the\t Capitol,\t as\t has\t been\t said,\t is\t the part\t of\t the\t building\t chiefly\t haunted.\t Beneath\t the\t hall\t of\t the\t House\t of Representatives\t strolls\t by\t night\t a\t melancholy\t specter,\t with\t erect\t figure,\t a\t great mustache,\t and\t his\t hands\t clasped\t behind\t him.\t Who\t he\t is\t nobody\t has\t ever surmised;\t he\t might\t be,\t judging\t from\t his\t aspect,\t a\t foreigner\t in\t the\t diplomatic service,\tbut\tthat\tis\tmerely\tguess.\tWatchmen\tat\tnight\thave\tapproached\thim\tin\tthe belief\tthat\the\twas\tan\tintruder,\tbut\the\thas\tfaded\tfrom\tsight\tinstantly,\tlike\ta\tpicture on\ta\tmagic-lantern\tslide. At\tprecisely\t12.30\tof\tthe\tclock\tevery\tnight,\tso\tit\tis\tsaid,\tthe\tdoor\tof\tthe\troom occupied\tby\tthe\tCommittee\ton\tMilitary\tand\tMilitia\tof\tthe\tSenate\topens\tsilently, and\tthere\tsteps\tforth\tthe\tfigure\tof\tGeneral\tLogan,\trecognizable\tby\this\tlong\tblack hair,\tmilitary\tcarriage,\tand\tthe\that\the\twas\taccustomed\tto\twear\tin\tlife. Logan\t was\t the\t chairman\t of\t this\t committee,\t and,\t if\t report\t be\t credited,\t he\t is still\tsupervising\tits\tduties. A\tGENUINE\tGHOST (Philadelphia\tPress,\tMarch\t25,\t1884) DAYTON,\t O.,\t March\t 25.\u2014A\t thousand\t people\t surround\t the\t grave\t yard\t in Miamisburg,\ta\ttown\tnear\there,\tevery\tnight\tto\twitness\tthe\tantics\tof\twhat\tappears","to\tbe\ta\tgenuine\tghost.\tThere\tis\tno\tdoubt\tabout\tthe\texistence\tof\tthe\tapparition,\tas Mayor\t Marshall,\t the\t revenue\t collector\t and\t hundreds\t of\t prominent\t citizens\t all testify\tto\thaving\tseen\tit.\tLast\tnight\tseveral\thundred\tpeople,\tarmed\twith\tclubs\tand guns,\t assaulted\t the\t specter,\t which\t appeared\t to\t be\t a\t woman\t in\t white.\t Clubs, bullets\t and\t shot\t tore\t the\t air\t in\t which\t the\t mystic\t figure\t floated\t without disconcerting\t it\t in\t the\t least.\t A\t portion\t of\t the\t town\t turned\t out\t en\t masse\t to-day and\tbegan\texhuming\tall\tthe\tbodies\tin\tthe\tcemetery. The\tremains\tof\tthe\tBuss\tfamily,\tcomposed\tof\tthree\tpeople,\thave\talready\tbeen exhumed.\t The\t town\t is\t visited\t daily\t by\t hundreds\t of\t strangers\t and\t none\t are disappointed,\t as\t the\t apparition\t is\t always\t on\t duty\t promptly\t at\t 9\t o'clock.\t The strange\tfigure\twas\tat\tonce\trecognized\tby\tthe\tinhabitants\tof\tthe\ttown\tas\ta\tyoung lady\t supposed\t to\t have\t been\t murdered\t several\t years\t ago.\t Her\t attitude\t while drifting\tamong\tthe\tgraves\tis\tone\tof\tdeep\tthought,\twith\tthe\thead\tinclined\tforward and\thands\tclasped\tbehind. THE\tBAGGAGEMAN'S\tGHOST \\\"The\t corpses\t of\t the\t passengers\t killed\t in\t the\t disaster\t up\t at\t Spuyten\t Duyvil was\tfetched\tdown\there\tand\tlaid\tout\tin[1]\tThe\troom\twas\tdarkened\tand\tI\tcould\tjust make\t out\t the\t out\t that\t storage\t room,\\\"\t said\t a\t Grand\t Central\t depot\t baggageman. \\\"That's\twhat\tgive\tit\tthe\tname\tof\tmorgue.\tSome\tof\tthe\tboys\tgot\tscared\tof\tgoing\tin after\tthat,\t'specially\tin\tthe\tdark;\tand\ta\tlot\tof\tstories\twas\tstarted\tabout\tspooks.\tWe had\t a\t helper\t (a\t drunken\t chap\t that\t didn't\t know\t whether\t he\t saw\t a\t thing\t or dreamed\tit),\tand\the\tswore\tto\tthe\ttoughest\tof\tthe\tyarns.\tHe\tsays\the\twent\tin\tto\tget a\t trunk.\t It\t was\t a\t whopper,\t and\t he\t braced\t himself\t for\t a\t big\t strain;\t but,\t when\t he gripped\tit,\tit\tcome\tup\tjust\tas\tif\tthere\twasn't\tnothing\tin\tit\tmore'n\tair\tor\tgas.\tThat unexpected\t kind\t of\t a\t lift\t is\t like\t kicking\t at\t nothing\u2014it's\t hurtful,\t don't\t you know?\\\" \\\"I\tshould\tthink\tso.\\\" \\\"Well,\t Joe\t felt\t as\t light-headed\t as\t the\t trunk,\t he\t says,\t but\t he\t brought\t it\t out. When\the\twas\tputting\tit\tdown\the\twas\tstunned\tto\tsee\ta\tghost\tsitting\tstraddle\tof\tit.\\\" \\\"What\tdid\tthe\tghost\tlook\tlike?\\\" \\\"Joe\twas\tso\tscared\tthat\the\tcan't\ttell,\texcept\tthat\tit\thad\tgrave-clothes\ton.\tAnd it\twent\tout\tof\tsight\tas\tsoon\tas\the\tgot\tout\tinto\tthe\tdaylight\u2014floated\toff,\tand\tat\tthe","same\tinstant\tthe\ttrunk\tbecame\tas\theavy\tas\tsuch\ta\ttrunk\tgenerally\tis.\tSome\tof\tus believe\t Joe's\t story,\t and\t some\t don't,\t and\t he's\t one\t of\t them\t that\t does.\t He\t throwed up\this\tjob\trather\tthan\tgo\tinto\tthe\tmorgue\tagain.\\\" DRUMMERS\tSEE\tA\tSPECTER (St\tLouis\tGlobe-Democrat,\tOct.\t6,\t1887) [The\tlast\tman\tin\tthe\tworld\tto\tbe\taccused\tof\ta\tbelief\tin\tthe\tsupernatural\twould be\tyour\tgo-ahead,\thard-headed\tAmerican\t\\\"drummer\\\"\tor\ttraveling-man.\tYet\there is\t a\t plain\t tale\t of\t how\t not\t one\t but\t two\t of\t the\t western\t fraternity\t saw\t a\t genuine ghost\tin\tbroad\tdaylight\ta\tfew\tyears\tago.\u2014ED.] JACKSON,\t MO.,\t October\t 6.\t At\t a\t place\t on\t the\t Turnpike\t road,\t between\t Cape Girardeau\t and\t Jackson,\t is\t what\t is\t familiarly\t known\t as\t Spooks'\t Hollow.\t The place\tis\tsituated\tfours\tmiles\tfrom\tthe\tCape\tand\tis\tawfully\tdismal\tlooking\twhere the\troad\tcurves\tgracefully\taround\ta\thigh\tbluff. Two\t drummers,\t representing\t a\t single\t leading\t wholesale\t house\t of\t St.\t Louis, were\t recently\t making\t the\t drive\t from\t Jackson\t to\t the\t Cape,\t when\t their\t attention was\t suddenly\t attracted\t at\t the\t Spooks'\t Hollow\t by\t a\t white\t and\t airy\t object\t which arose\t in\t its\t peculiar\t form\t so\t as\t to\t be\t plainly\t visible\t and\t then\t maneuvered\t in every\t imaginable\t manner,\t finally\t taking\t a\t zigzag\t wayward\t journey\t through\t the low\t dismal-looking\t surroundings,\t disappearing\t suddenly\t into\t the\t mysterious region\tfrom\twhence\tit\tcame. More\t than\t one\t incident\t of\t dreadful\t experience\t has\t been\t related\t of\t this gloomy\t abode,\t and\t the\t place\t is\t looked\t upon\t by\t the\t midnight\t tourist\t and\t the lonesome\tcitizen\ton\this\tnocturnal\ttravels\tas\tan\tunpleasant\tspot,\tisolated\tfrom\tthe beautiful\tcountry\twhich\tsurrounds\tit. DR.\tFUNK\tSEES\tTHE\tSPIRIT\tOF\tBEECHER (New\tYork\tHerald,\tApril\t4,\t1903) While\the\twill\tnot\tadmit\tthat\the\tis\ta\tbeliever\tin\tspiritualism,\tthe\tRev.\tDr.\tIsaac Funk,\t head\t of\t the\t publishing\t house\t of\t Funk\t &\t Wagnalls,\t is\t so\t impressed\t with manifestations\the\thas\treceived\tfrom\tthe\tspirit\tof\tHenry\tWard\tBeecher\tthat\the\thas","laid\t the\t entire\t matter\t before\t the\t Boston\t Society\t for\t Psychical\t Research,\t and\t is anxiously\t awaiting\t a\t solution\t or\t explanation\t of\t what\t appears\t to\t him,\t after twenty-five\t years'\t study\t of\t the\t subject,\t the\t most\t remarkable\t test\t of\t the\t merit\t of the\tclaims\tof\tspiritualists\tthat\thas\tever\tcome\twithin\this\tobservation. Although\t he\t has\t resorted\t to\t every\t means\t within\t his\t power\t to\t discover\t any fraud\t that\t may\t have\t been\t practiced\t upon\t him,\t he\t has\t been\t unable\t to\t explain away\t not\t only\t messages\t to\t him\t from\t the\t great\t minister,\t but\t the\t actual appearance\tto\thim\tof\tMr.\tBeecher\tin\tthe\tflesh. Dr.\tFunk\tand\tMr.\tBeecher\twere\tintimate\tfriends,\tand\tit\twould\tbe\tdifficult\tto practice\tdeception\tas\tto\tMr.\tBeecher's\tappearance.\tWhen\tthe\tapparition\tappeared to\tDr.\tFunk\tat\ta\ts\u00e9ance\ta\tshort\ttime\tago\tDr.\tFunk\twas\tless\tthan\tthree\tfeet\tdistant from\t it,\t and\t had\t plenty\t of\t opportunity\t to\t detect\t a\t fraud\t if\t it\t was\t being perpetrated,\the\tbelieves. \\\"Every\tfeature\tstood\tout\tdistinctly,\\\"\tDr.\tFunk\tsaid\tyesterday,\tin\tdescribing\this experience,\t\\\"even\tto\tthe\thair\tand\teyes,\tthe\tcolor\tof\tthe\tskin\tand\tthe\texpression\tof the\t mouth.[2]\t lines\t of\t the\t body,\t but\t it\t was\t still\t light\t enough\t to\t make\t the\t face plainly\t visible.\t I\t had\t a\t short\t conversation\t with\t the\t embodied\t spirit,\t and\t then\t it appeared\tto\tsink\tto\tthe\tfloor\tand\tfade\taway.\\\" MYSTERY\tOF\tTHE\tCOINS Dr.\t Funk\t was\t especially\t anxious\t to\t have\t an\t opportunity\t to\t see\t and\t talk\t with Mr.\t Beecher,\t in\t the\t hope\t that\t light\t would\t be\t thrown\t on\t the\t mystery\t which surrounds\ta\tprevious\tmanifestation.\tThrough\tthe\tspirit\tof\tone\t\\\"Jack\\\"\tRakestraw, who\tsays\the\tused\tto\tlead\tthe\tchoir\tin\tone\tof\tMr.\tBeecher's\tchurches,\tbut\tfrankly admits\t that\t he\t cannot\t remember\t exactly\t where\t the\t church\t was\t located\u2014even spirits\t have\t a\t way\t of\t forgetting\t things,\t spiritualists\t declare\u2014Dr.\t Funk\t was informed\t that\t Mr.\t Beecher\t was\t troubled\t because\t the\t publisher\t had\t failed\t to return\ta\tcoin,\tknown\tas\tthe\t\\\"widow's\tmite,\\\"\twhich\the\thad\tborrowed\tsome\tyears ago,\tfrom\tthe\tlate\tProfessor\tCharles\tE.\tWest,\ta\twell\tknown\tnumismatist,\tto\tmake a\t cut\t to\t illustrate\t a\t dictionary.\t Dr.\t Funk\t supposed\t the\t coin\t had\t been\t returned\t a long\t time\t ago,\t but\t upon\t looking\t the\t matter\t up\t found\t it\t in\t a\t drawer\t of\t a\t safe, among\tsome\told\tpapers,\texactly\tas\tMr.\tRakestraw\tmaintained. When\t Mr.\t Beecher\t appeared\t to\t him\t in\t person,\t so\t far\t as\t he\t could\t determine, Dr.\t Funk\t asked\t him\t several\t direct\t questions,\t to\t which\t the\t replies,\t he\t admits,","were\t somewhat\t sublime.\t Although\t Dr.\t Funk\t has\t found\t the\t long-lost\t coin\u2014 which,\t by\t the\t way,\t is\t said\t to\t be\t worth\t $2,500\u2014he\t is\t not\t certain\t to\t whom\t it should\t be\t returned,\t now\t that\t Professor\t West\t is\t dead\t and\t his\t collection\t of\t coins sold.\tShould\tthe\t\\\"widow's\tmite\\\"\tgo\tto\tProfessor\tWest's\theirs\tor\tto\tthe\tpurchaser of\tthe\tcollection?\tis\ta\tquestion\twhich\thas\tas\tyet\tremained\tunanswered. \\\"That\tis\ta\tmatter\tI\tam\tleaving\tto\tbe\tdetermined\tby\tthe\tSociety\tfor\tPsychical Research\t and\t Mrs.\t Piper,\t who\t ought\t to\t be\t able\t to\t learn\t from\t the\t spirit\t world what\tdisposition\tProfessor\tWest\twishes\tto\thave\tmade\tof\tthe\tcoin,\\\"\tsaid\tDr.\tFunk. It\tis\tat\tany\trate\ta\tmatter\tthat\tdoes\tnot\tappear\tto\tconcern\tthe\tspirit\tof\tMr.\tBeecher. MR.\tBEECHER\tAPPEASED \\\"When\twhat\tseemed\tto\tbe\tMr.\tBeecher's\tembodied\tspirit\tappeared\tto\tme,\\\"\tDr. Funk\t said,\t \\\"I\t asked\t that\t very\t question.\t He\t smiled\t and\t replied\t that\t it\t was\t not\t a matter\tthat\tconcerned\thim\tespecially,\tand\tthat\tthe\twhole\tthing\twas\tin\tthe\tnature of\t a\t test,\t to\t prove\t to\t me\t that\t there\t actually\t are\t spirits,\t and\t that\t it\t is\t possible\t to have\t communication\t with\t them\t when\t all\t the\t conditions\t are\t favorable.\t He remarked\tthat\the\twas\tglad\tthe\told\tcoin\thad\tbeen\tfound,\tbut\tseemed\tto\tconsider the\tdisposition\tof\tit\ta\tmatter\tof\tminor\timportance.\tHe\ttold\tme\the\twas\tglad\tI\twas taking\tinterest\tin\tthe\tsubject,\tas\the\tbelieved\tit\twould\tresult\tin\tgood\tfor\tthe\tworld, and\t then,\t excusing\t himself\t on\t the\t ground\t that\t he\t had\t an\t engagement\t which\t it was\tnecessary\tfor\thim\tto\tkeep,\tthe\tapparition\tdisappeared.\\\" Dr.\t Funk\t borrowed\t the\t coin\t from\t Professor\t West's\t collection,\t as\t a\t lighter colored\tone\the\talready\thad\twas\tof\tdoubtful\tauthenticity.\tBoth\tcoins\twere\tsent\tto the\tgovernment\texpert\tin\tPhiladelphia\tand\tthe\tlighter\tone\twas\tdeclared\tto\tbe\tthe genuine\tone.\tBy\tthe\tspirits\tit\tis\tnow\tdeclared,\thowever,\tthat\ta\tmistake\twas\tmade and\tthat\tthe\tdarker\tone\tbelonging\tto\tProfessor\tWest\thas\tthe\tgreater\tvalue. \\\"I\t found\t both\t the\t light\t and\t the\t dark\t one\t in\t the\t drawer,\\\"\t said\t Dr.\t Funk,\t \\\"and remembered\t distinctly\t that\t it\t was\t the\t darker\t of\t the\t two\t which\t I\t had\t borrowed from\t Professor\t West.\t I\t went\t to\t the\t next\t s\u00e9ance,\t and\t when\t Rakestraw's\t spirit arrived\t I\t asked\t him\t to\t find\t out\t which\t one\t was\t to\t be\t returned.\t After\t a\t brief interval\this\tvoice\tcame\tto\tme. \\\"'Return\tthe\tdark\tone,\tof\tcourse,'\the\tsaid.\t'That\tis\tthe\tgenuine\tcoin\tand\tis\tthe one\tyou\tborrowed\tfrom\tDr.\tBeecher's\tfriend.'","\\\"While\tI\tdo\tnot\twish\tto\tbe\tclassed\tas\ta\tbeliever\tin\tSpiritualism,\tI\tcertainly\tam open\t to\t conviction\t after\t what\t has\t come\t under\t my\t personal\t observation,\\\"\t Dr. Funk\tconcluded.\t\\\"I\tam\tconfident\tthat\tno\tfraud\twas\tpracticed\ton\tme\tat\tthe\ts\u00e9ance at\twhich\tI\twas\ttold\tabout\tthe\told\tcoin.\tThe\tmedium\tis\tan\telderly\twoman\tliving in\t Brooklyn,\t who\t never\t appears\t in\t public,\t and\t the\t only\t persons\t present\t were members\t of\t her\t family\t and\t known\t to\t me.\t But\t none\t of\t them\t knew\t any\t more about\tthe\tcoin\tbeing\tin\tmy\tsafe\tthan\tI\tdid.\\\" MARYLAND\tGHOSTS (Baltimore\tAmerican,\tMay,\t1886) For\t forty\t years\t the\t Rev.\t Dr.\t B.\t has\t been\t the\t rector\t of\t a\t prominent\t parish\t on the\t Eastern\t Shore.\t He\t had,\t when\t the\t scenes\t recorded\t below\t happened\t twenty- two\tyears\tago,\ta\tmission\tcharge\tsixteen\tmiles\tdistant\tfrom\tthe\ttown\tin\twhich\the resided,\t and\t he\t was\t therefore\t constantly\t traveling\t between\t these\t two\t places. About\tsix\tmiles\tdistant\twas\tthe\tcountry\tresidence\tof\tJudge\tS.,\ta\twell-known\tand venerable\tparishioner\tof\tthe\tworthy\tdoctor.\tThe\tsod\thad\tbeen\tturned\tabove\tthis gentleman's\t grave\t only\t about\t six\t weeks,\t when\t Dr.\t B.\t chanced\t to\t be\t returning from\t his\t mission\t charge\t in\t company\t with\t a\t friend.\t It\t was\t broad\t daylight,\t just about\tsunset,\tand\tnot\tfar\tfrom\tJudge\tS.'s\tgate,\twhen\ta\tcarriage,\tdrawn\tby\ta\twhite horse,\tpassed\tthem\trapidly\tfrom\tbehind\tand\twas\tsoon\tout\tof\tsight. \\\"That\tfellow\tmust\tbe\tin\ta\thurry\tto\treach\tC.,\\\"\tremarked\tthe\tdoctor. \\\"Did\t you\t notice\t anything\t peculiar\t about\t that\t vehicle?\\\"\t inquired\t his companion. \\\"Only\tthat\tit\tmoves\tvery\tquietly.\tI\theard\tno\tsound\tas\tit\twent\tby.\\\" \\\"Nor\tdid\tI,\\\"\tsaid\this\tfriend.\t\\\"Neither\trattling\tof\twheels\tnor\tnoise\tof\thoofs.\tIt is\tcertainly\tstrange.\\\" The\tmatter,\thowever,\twas\tsoon\tforgotten\tin\tother\tconversation,\tand\tthey\thad traveled\t perhaps\t a\t mile,\t when\t suddenly,\t the\t same\t horse\t and\t carriage\t passed them\t as\t before.\t Nothing\t was\t discernible\t of\t the\t driver\t except\t his\t feet,\t the","carriage\tcurtains\thiding\this\tbody.\tThere\twas\tno\tcross\troad\tby\twhich\ta\tvehicle\tin front\tcould\tpossibly\thave\tgot\tbehind\twithout\tmaking\ta\tcircuit\tof\tmany\tmiles\tand consuming\t several\t hours.\t Yet\t there\t was\t not\t the\t shadow\t of\t a\t doubt\t as\t to\t the identity\t of\t the\t vehicle,\t and\t the\t two\t gentlemen\t gazed\t at\t each\t other\t in\t blank amazement,\t and\t with\t a\t certain\t defined\t sense\t of\t awe\t which\t precluded\t any discussion\t of\t the\t matter,\t particularly\t as\t the\t horse\t was\t to\t all\t appearances\t the well-known\twhite\thabitually\tdriven\tby\tthe\tdeceased\tJudge.\tA\thalf\tmile\tbrought them\tin\tsight\tof\tJudge\tS.'s\tgate,\twhen\tfor\tthe\tthird\ttime\tthe\tghostly\tteam\tdashed by\tin\tthe\tsame\tdreadful\tmysterious\tsilence.\tThis\ttime\tit\tturned\tin\tfull\tview\tinto the\tgate.\tWithout\ta\tword\tof\tcomment\tthe\tdoctor\tquickened\this\thorse's\tspeed,\tand reached\t the\t gate\t only\t a\t few\t yards\t behind\t the\t silent\t driver.\t Both\t gentlemen peered\t eagerly\t up\t the\t long,\t open\t lane\t leading\t to\t the\t house;\t but\t neither\t carriage nor\twheel-track\twas\tvisible,\tthough\tit\twas\tstill\tclear\tdaylight,\tand\tthere\twas\tno outlet\tfrom\tthe\tlane,\tnor\tcould\tany\tvehicle\tin\tthe\ttime\toccupied\taccomplish\thalf the\tdistance.\tThe\tpeculiar\tfeatures\tof\tthis\tstrange\tincident\tare\tthat\tit\twas\tequally and\t simultaneously\t evident\t to\t two\t witnesses,\t both\t entirely\t unprepared\t for\t any such\t manifestation,\t and\t differing\t widely\t in\t temperament,\t habits\t of\t life,\t mental capacity\tand\teducational\tattainments,\tand\tby\tmere\taccident\tmaking\tthis\tjourney together,\t and\t that\t to\t this\t day\t both\t of\t them\u2014witnesses,\t be\t it\t noted,\t of unimpeachable\t credibility\u2014attest\t it,\t and\t fully\t corroborate\t each\t other,\t but without\tbeing\table\tto\tsuggest\tthe\tslightest\texplanation. THE\tGHOST\tOF\tPEG\tALLEY'S\tPOINT Peg\tAlley's\tPoint\tis\ta\tlong\tand\tnarrow\tstrip\tof\twooded\tland,\tsituated\tbetween the\tmain\tstream\tof\tMiles\triver\tand\tone\tof\tthe\tnavigable\tcreeks\twhich\tflow\tinto it.\tThis\tlittle\tpeninsula\tis\tabout\ttwo\tmiles\tlong,\tfrom\tfifty\tto\tthree\thundred\tyards in\t width\t and\t is\t bounded\t by\t deep\t water\t and\t is\t overgrown\t with\t pine\t and\t thick underbrush.\tThere\tis\textant\ta\ttradition\tto\tthe\teffect\tthat\tmany\tyears\tago\ta\tparty of\tBaltimore\toystermen\tencamped\ton\tthe\tpoint,\tamong\twhom\twas\ta\tman\tnamed Alley,\t who\t had\t abandoned\t his\t wife.\t The\t deserted\t woman\t followed\t up\t her husband,\t and\t found\t him\t at\t the\t camp.\t After\t some\t conversation\t had\t passed between\tthem,\tthe\tman\tinduced\ther,\tupon\tsome\tunknown\tpretext,\tto\taccompany him\t into\t a\t thicket.\t The\t poor\t wife\t never\t came\t out\t alive.\t Her\t husband\t cruelly murdered\t her\t with\t a\t club.\t The\t point\t of\t land\t has\t ever\t since\t been\t known\t by\t Peg Alley's\t name,\t and\t her\t perturbed\t spirit\t has\t been\t supposed\t to\t haunt\t the\t scene\t of her\t untimely\t taking\t off.\t About\t twelve\t years\t ago\t a\t gang\t of\t rail-splitters\t were\t at","work\ton\tthe\tpoint,\tand\tone\tday\tthe\tforeman\tflatly\trefused\tto\tgo\tback,\tdeclaring that\t queer\t things\t happened\t down\t there,\t and\t that\t he\t had\t seen\t a\t ghost.\t Mr. Kennedy,\this\temployer,\tlaughed\tat\thim\tand\tdismissed\tthe\tmatter\tfrom\this\tmind. Some\t time\t after\t this\t Mr.\t Kennedy\t had\t occasion\t to\t ride\t through\t the\t woods\t to look\tafter\tsome\tsheep,\tthere\tbeing\tbut\tone\troad\tand\tthe\twater\ton\teither\tside.\tAs he\t approached\t the\t point\t his\t horse\t started\t violently\t and\t refused\t to\t go\t on, regardless\tof\twhip\tor\tspur.\tGlancing\tabout\tfor\tthe\tcause\tof\tthis\tunnatural\tfright, he\t saw\t a\t woman\t rise\t up\t from\t a\t log,\t a\t few\t yards\t in\t advance,\t and\t stand\t by\t the roadside,\t looking\t at\t him.\t She\t was\t very\t poorly\t clad\t in\t a\t faded\t calico\t dress,\t and wore\t a\t limp\t sun-bonnet,\t from\t beneath\t which\t her\t thin,\t jet-black\t hair\t straggled down\t on\t her\t shoulders;\t her\t face\t was\t thin\t and\t sallow\t and\t her\t eyes\t black\t and piercing.\t Knowing\t that\t she\t had\t no\t business\t there,\t and\t occupied\t in\t controlling his\thorse,\the\tcalled\tto\ther\tsomewhat\tangrily\tto\tget\tout\tof\tthe\tway,\tas\this\tanimal was\t afraid\t of\t her.\t Slowly\t she\t turned\t and\t walked\t into\t the\t thicket,\t uttering\t not\t a syllable\t and\t looking\t reproachfully\t at\t him\t as\t she\t went.\t With\t much\t difficulty\t he forced\this\thorse\tto\tthe\tspot,\thoping\tto\tfind\t out\twho\tthe\tstrange\tintruder\tmight be,\t but\t the\t most\t careful\t search\t failed\t to\t reveal\t the\t trace\t of\t any\t one,\t although there\t was\t no\t place\t of\t concealment\t and\t no\t possible\t way\t of\t escape,\t for\t which, indeed,\tthere\twas\tnot\tsufficient\ttime. AN\tAPPARITION\tAND\tDEATH The\t old\t family\t seat\t of\t the\t T.'s,\t one\t of\t the\t most\t prominent\t names\t in\t the community,\t is\t not\t far\t from\t the\t scenes\t of\t the\t above-mentioned\t adventure.\t In\t all this\t region\t of\t lovely\t situations\t and\t charming\t water\t views,\t its\t site\t is\t one\t of\t the most\t beautiful.\t The\t brick\t mansion,\t with\t all\t the\t strangely\t mixed\t comforts\t and discomforts\t of\t ancient\t architecture,\t rears\t its\t roof\t up\t from\t an\t elevated\t lawn, while\tthe\tsilvery\tthread\tof\ta\tland-locked\tstream\twinds\tnearly\taround\tthe\twhole. Over\tthe\tfurther\tbank\tdance\tthe\tsparkling\twaters\tof\ta\tbroad\testuary,\tflashing\tin the\tglance\tof\tthe\tsunshine\tor\ttossing\tits\twhite-capped\tbillows\tin\tangry\tmimicry of\t the\t sea.\t The\t gleam\t of\t white\t sails\t is\t never\t lacking\t to\t add\t variety\t and picturesqueness\t to\t the\t scene.\t In\t the\t dead,\t hushed\t calm\t of\t a\t summer\t evening, when\t the\t lifted\t oar\t rests\t on\t the\t gunwale,\t unwilling\t to\t disturb\t with\t its\t dip\t the glassy\tsurface,\tone\thas\ta\tstrange,\tdreamy\tsense\tof\tbeing\tsuspended\tin\tspace,\tthe sky,\tin\tall\tits\tchanging\tbeauties,\tbeing\taccurately\treflected\tin\tillimitable\tdepth\tby the\tstill\twater,\tuntil\tthe\tcharm\tis\tbroken\tby\tthe\tsplash\tand\tripple\tof\ta\tschool\tof nomadic\t alewives\t or\t the\t gliding,\t sinuous\t fin\t of\t a\t piratical\t shark.\t In\t this\t lovely","home\tit\twas\twont\tfor\tthe\tfamily\tto\tassemble\ton\tthe\toccasion\tof\tcertain\tdomestic celebrations,\tand\tit\twas\tat\tone\tof\tthese\tthat\tthe\tfollowing\tincident\toccurred:\tAll were\tpresent\texcept\tone\tmember,\twho\twas\tdetained\tby\tsickness\tat\ther\tresidence, fifteen\tmiles\taway.\tIt\twas\tin\tearly\tafternoon\tthat\tone\tof\tthe\tladies\tstanding\tat\tan open\twindow,\tsuddenly\texclaimed:\t\\\"Why,\tthere's\tAunt\tMilly\tcrossing\tthe\tflower garden!\\\"\t The\t party\t approached\t the\t window,\t and\t beheld,\t in\t great\t surprise,\t the lady,\t in\t her\t ordinary\t costume,\t slowly\t strolling\t among\t the\t flowers.\t She\t paused and\t looked\t earnestly\t at\t the\t group,\t her\t features\t plainly\t visible;\t then\t turned\t and disappeared\tamidst\tthe\tshrubbery.\tNo\ttrace\tof\ther\tpresence\tbeing\tdiscoverable,\tit was\tnatural\tthat\ta\tgloom\tfell\tupon\tthe\tcompany.\tA\tfew\thours\tlater\ta\tmessenger arrived\twith\tthe\tintelligence\tof\ther\tdeath.\tThe\ttime\tof\ther\tapparition\tand\tthe\ttime of\ther\tdeath\tcoincided. AN\tIDIOT\tGHOST\tWITH\tBRASS\tBUTTONS (Philadelphia\tPress,\tJune\t16,\t1889) In\t a\t pretty\t but\t old-fashioned\t house\t in\t Stuyvesant\t square\u2014ghosts\t like squares,\tI\tthink\u2014is\tanother\tghost.\tThis\thouse\tstood\tempty\tfor\tseveral\tyears,\tand about\tsix\tyears\tago\ta\tgentleman,\this\twife\tand\tlittle\tdaughter\tmoved\tin\tthere,\tand while\t fitting\t up\t allowed\t the\t child\t to\t play\t about\t the\t empty\t attic,\t which\t had apparently\t been\t arranged\t for\t a\t children's\t playroom\t long\t ago.\t There\t was\t a fireplace\tand\ta\tlarge\tfireboard\tin\tfront\tof\tit. When\tthe\thouse\twas\tabout\tfinished\tdown\tstairs\tthe\tmother\tbegan\tto\tpay\tmore attention\tto\tthe\tlittle\tgirl\tand\ttried\tto\tkeep\ther\tdown\tthere\twith\ther,\tbut\tthe\tchild always\t stole\t away\t and\t went\t back\t up\t stairs\t again\t and\t again,\t until\t finally\t the mother\tasked\twhy\tshe\tliked\tto\tgo\tup\tthere\tso\tmuch.\tShe\treplied\tthat\tshe\tliked\tto play\twith\tthe\tfunny\tlittle\tboy.\tInvestigation\tshowed\tthat\tit\twas\tutterly\timpossible for\t any\t person,\t man\t or\t child,\t to\t get\t in\t that\t place\t or\t be\t concealed\t there,\t but\t the little\t girl\t insisted\t and\t told\t her\t parents\t that\t he\t \\\"went\t in\t there,\\\"\t pointing\t to\t the fireboard. The\t parents\t were\t seriously\t concerned,\t believing\t that\t their\t daughter\t was telling\t them\t an\t untruth,\t and\t threatened\t to\t punish\t her\t for\t it,\t but\t she\t insisted\t so strongly\t that\t she\t saw\t and\t played\t with\t a\t \\\"funny\t little\t boy,\t with\t lots\t of\t brass buttons\t on\t his\t jacket,\\\"\t that\t they\t finally\t gave\t up\t threatening\t and\t resolved\t to investigate.","The\t father,\t who\t is\t an\t old\t sea\t captain,\t found\t out\t that\t this\t house\t had\t been occupied\t by\t an\t Englishman\t named\t Cowdery\t who\t had\t had\t three\t children\u2014two boys\t and\t a\t girl.\t One\t of\t the\t boys\t was\t an\t idiot.\t This\t idiot\t was\t supposed\t to\t have fallen\tinto\tthe\tEast\tRiver,\tas\this\tcap\twas\tfound\tthere,\tand\the\thad\talways\tshown\ta liking\t for\t the\t river\t when\t his\t nurse\t took\t him\t out.\t Soon\t after\t this\t Mr.\t Cowdery moved\tWest. This\t was\t enough\t for\t my\t friend's\t friend,\t who\t had\t the\t fireboard\t taken\t down, and\t short\t work\t in\t the\t wall\t by\t the\t side\t of\t the\t chimney\t brought\t the\t body\t of\t the unfortunate\tidiot\tboy.\tThe\tback\tof\this\tskull\twas\tcrushed\tin.\tHe\tstill\thad\tthe\tdark blue\tjacket\ton,\twith\tfour\trows\tof\tbuttons\ton\tthe\tfront.\tThe\tpoor\tlittle\tbones\twere buried\tand\tthe\taffair\tkept\tquiet,\tbut\tthe\tcaptain\tleft\tthe\thouse. A\tMODEL\tGHOST\tSTORY (Boston\tCourier,\tAug.\t10) A\tvery\tsingular\tstory\twhich\tforms\tone\tof\tthe\tsensational\tsocial\ttopics\tof\tthe day\t is\t the\t best\t authenticated\t of\t the\t many\t stories\t of\t the\t supernatural\t that\t have been\t lately\t told.\t Only\t a\t short\t time\t ago\t a\t young\t and\t well-known\t artist,\t Mr.\t A., was\tinvited\tto\tpay\ta\tvisit\tto\this\tdistinguished\tfriend,\tMr.\tIzzard.\tThe\thouse\twas filled\t with\t guests,\t but\t a\t large\t and\t handsome\t room\t was\t placed\t at\t his\t disposal, apparently\tone\tof\tthe\tbest\tin\tthe\thouse.\tFor\tthree\tdays\the\thad\ta\tdelightful\tvisit; delightful\t in\t all\t particulars\t save\t one,\t he\t had\t each\t night\t a\t horrible\t dream.\t He dreamed\t he\t was\u2014or\t was\t really\u2014suddenly\t awakened\t by\t some\t person\t entering his\t room,\t and\t in\t looking\t around\t saw\t the\t room\t brilliantly\t lighted,\t while\t at\t the window\tstood\ta\tlady\telegantly\tattired,\tin\tthe\tact\tof\tthrowing\tsomething\tout.\tThis accomplished,\t she\t turned\t her\t face\t toward\t the\t only\t spectator\t showing\t a countenance\tso\tdistorted\tby\tevil\tpassions\tthat\the\twas\tthrilled\twith\thorror.\tSoon the\t light\t and\t the\t figure\t with\t the\t dreadful\t face\t disappeared,\t leaving\t the\t artist suffering\t from\t a\t frightful\t nightmare.\t On\t returning\t to\t his\t city\t home\t he\t was\t so haunted\t by\t the\t fearful\t countenance\t which\t had\t for\t three\t consecutive\t nights troubled\t him,\t that\t he\t made\t a\t sketch\t of\t it,\t and\t so\t real\t that\t the\t evil\t expression seemed\tto\thorrify\tevery\tone\twho\tsaw\tit.\tNot\ta\tgreat\twhile\tafter,\tthe\tartist\twent\tto make\t an\t evening\t visit\t on\t Mr.\t Izzard;\t that\t gentleman\t invited\t him\t to\t his\t picture gallery,\t as\t he\t wished\t to\t show\t him\t some\t remarkable,\t old\t family\t portraits.\t What was\tMr.\tA.'s\tsurprise\tto\trecognize\tamong\tthem,\tin\tthe\tlikeness\tof\ta\tstately,\twell- dressed\t lady,\t the\t one\t who\t had\t so\t troubled\t his\t slumbers\t on\t his\t previous\t visit,","lacking,\t however,\t the\t revolting,\t wicked\t expression.\t Soon\t as\t he\t saw\t it\t he involuntarily\t exclaimed,\t \\\"Why,\t I\t have\t seen\t that\t lady!\\\"\t \\\"Indeed!\\\"\t said\t Mr.\t I., smiling,\t\\\"that\tis\thardly\tpossible,\tas\tshe\tdied\tmore\tthan\ta\thundred\tyears\tago.\tShe was\t the\t second\t wife\t of\t my\t great-grandfather,\t and\t reflected\t anything\t but\t credit on\tthe\tfamily.\tShe\twas\tstrongly\tsuspected\tof\thaving\tmurdered\ther\thusband's\tson by\t a\t former\t marriage,\t in\t order\t to\t make\t her\t own\t child\t heir\t to\t the\t property.\t The unfortunate\t boy\t broke\t his\t neck\t in\t a\t fall\t from\t a\t window,\t and\t there\t was\t every reason\t to\t believe\t that\t he\t was\t precipitated\t from\t the\t window\t by\t his\t stepmother.\\\" The\tartist\tthen\ttold\this\thost\tthe\tcircumstances\tof\this\tthrice-repeated\texperience, or\t dream,\t and\t sent\t for\t his\t sketch,\t which,\t so\t far\t as\t the\t features\t were\t concerned, was\tidentical\twith\tthe\tportrait\tin\tMr.\tIzzard's\tgallery.\tThe\tsketch\thas\tsince\tbeen photographed,\tbut\tfrom\tits\thideous\texpression\tis\tnot\tvery\tpleasant\tto\tlook\tupon. A\tGHOST\tTHAT\tWILL\tNOT\tDOWN (Cincinnati\tEnquirer,\tSept.\t30,\t1884) GRANTSVILLE,\t W.\t VA.,\t September\t 30.\u2014The\t ghost\t of\t Betts'\t farm\t will\t not\t lay. Something\t over\t a\t year\t ago\t the\t Enquirer\t contained\t an\t account\t or\t an\t occult influence\t or\t manifestation\t at\t the\t farm\t house\t of\t Mr.\t Collins\t Betts,\t about\t three miles\t below\t this\t town,\t in\t which\t story\t were\t delineated\t a\t number\t of\t weird, strange\t instances\t of\t ghostly\t manifestations,\t all\t of\t which\t were\t verified\t by\t the testimony\t of\t honest,\t brave\t and\t reliable\t citizens,\t the\t names\t of\t many\t of\t whom were\tmentioned.\tThat\tstory\twent\tthe\trounds\tof\tnewspapers\tall\tover\tthe\tcountry and\tresulted\tin\tthe\tproprietor\tof\tthe\tplace\treceiving\thundreds\tof\tletters\tfrom\tall over\tthe\tcountry. Since\t then\t the\t old\t house\t has\t been\t torn\t down,\t the\t family\t of\t Mr.\t Betts rebuilding\t a\t home\t place\t on\t a\t different\t portion\t of\t the\t farm.\t This\t act,\t it\t was believed,\t would\t lay\t or\t forever\t quiet\t the\t ramblings\t and\t queer\t doings\t of\t the inexplicable\tmystery.\tBut\tsuch\thas\tnot\tbeen\tthe\tcase.\tSince\tthe\tbuilding\thas\tbeen razed\t the\t mysterious\t manifestation\t has\t made\t itself\t visible\t at\t places\t sometimes quite\ta\tdistance\tfrom\tthe\tscene\tof\tits\tformer\tdomicile. At\ta\tdistance\tof\tseveral\thundred\tyards\tfrom\tthe\told\tBetts\tplace\ta\tneighboring farmer\thad\terected\ta\thouse\tin\twhich\the\tintended\tto\treside,\tand\tin\tfact\tdid\treside a\tshort\ttime,\tbut\tthe\t\\\"Cale\tBetts\tghost,\\\"\tas\tthe\tmanifestation\tis\tcommonly\tcalled for\t a\t distance\t of\t many\t miles,\t was\t no\t respecter\t of\t persons\t and\t oblivious\t of","distance,\tand\tit\tso\tannoyed\tand\tfrightened\tthe\tfarmer\tand\this\tfamily\tat\tuntoward times\tthat\the\thas\tremoved\this\thouse\tto\tthe\topposite\tend\tof\tthe\tfarm,\tleaving\this garden,\t orchard\t and\t all\t the\t improvements\t usually\t made\t about\t a\t farm-house\t to take\tcare\tof\tthemselves. This\tin\titself\twas\tconsidered\tstrange\tenough,\tbut\tthe\tghostly\tvisitant\tdid\tnot stop\t there.\t The\t high\t road,\t running\t some\t distance\t away,\t has\t been\t the\t theater\t of almost\t numberless\t scenes\t of\t frights\t and\t frightful\t appearances.\t Among\t those who\thave\tlately\tseen\tthe\tghost\tis\ta\tyoung\tman\tnamed\tVandevener,\twhose\tfather had\t once\t been\t frightened\t nearly\t to\t death,\t as\t related\t in\t a\t former\t letter.\t Young Vandevener\thad\tfrequently\tmade\tsport\tof\tthe\told\tman's\tfright,\tbut\the\tdoes\tso\tno more\u2014in\t fact,\t the\t young\t man\t is\t willing\t to\t make\t affidavit\t that\t the\t old\t man's story\twas\tmildly\tdrawn. The\t young\t man\t was\t driving\t along\t quietly\t one\t night\t about\t half\t a\t mile\t from the\t Betts\t place,\t when\t he\t saw\t a\t strange\t being,\t which,\t in\t the\t pale\t light\t of\t the moon,\the\ttook\tto\tbe\ta\tman\twalking\tat\tthe\thead\tof\this\thorses.\tA\tfew\tminutes\tlater the\t man,\t or\t whatever\t it\t was,\t glided,\t without\t making\t a\t particle\t of\t noise,\t around the\thorses'\theads\tand\tgot\tinto\tthe\twagon\tand\ttook\ta\tseat\tby\this\tside. Young\t Vandevener\t says\t it\t rode\t along\t with\t him\t several\t hundred\t yards,\t and spoke\tto\thim.\tIt\tfirst\ttold\thim\tnot\tto\tbe\tafraid,\tas\tit\tdid\tnot\tintend\tto\tinjure\thim\tin the\tleast.\tWhat\tit\tsaid\the\twill\tnot\ttell,\texcept\tthat\tit\tadmonished\thim\tnot\tto\tsay anything\t about\t it\t until\t a\t certain\t time.\t After\t it\t had\t spoken\t to\t him\t Vandevener says\tit\tgot\tup\tand\tglided\toff\tinto\tthe\twoods\tand\tdisappeared.\tHe\tsays\tthe\tshape was\tthat\tof\ta\theadless\tman,\tand\tthat\twhile\tit\twas\twith\thim\the\tfelt\ta\tcold\tchill\trun over\t him,\t although\t it\t was\t a\t warm\t evening,\t and\t this\t chilly\t feeling\t did\t not\t leave him\tuntil\tthe\tdisappearance\tof\tthe\tshape. Since\tthen\tVandevener\tcan\tnot\tbe\tinduced\tto\tgo\tover\tthe\tground\tafter\tnight. He\tstill\tpersists\tin\tthe\tsame\tstory,\tand\tas\the\tis\ta\ttruthful\tyoung\tfellow,\tthe\tpeople who\tknow\thim\tare\tsatisfied\tthat\the\treally\tsaw\twhat\the\tclaims\tto\thave\tseen. Only\tone\tday\tlast\tweek\tanother\tyoung\tman,\tHenry\tStephens\tI\tbelieve,\ton\this way\tpast\tthe\tsame\tplace,\tsaw\ta\tpeculiar\tshape\trise\tout\tof\tthe\tbrush\tby\tthe\tside\tof the\troad\tand\tglide\talong\tby\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\twagon.\tStephens\tgot\tout\tof\this\twagon and\tgathered\ttogether\ta\thandful\tof\trocks,\twhich\the\tthrew\tat\tthe\tobject.\tSome\tof the\tstones\tappeared\tto\tgo\tthrough\tit,\tbut\tdid\tnot\tseem\tto\taffect\tit\tin\tthe\tleast.\tIt still\t continued\t to\t float\t along\t at\t a\t short\t distance\t away\t until\t Stephens\t became frightened\tand\twhipped\tup\this\thorses\tuntil\tthey\tflew\tat\ta\ttwo-minute\tgait\tdown","the\t road,\t the\t object\t following\t at\t some\t distance\t until\t quite\t away\t from\t the\t scene of\t its\t first\t appearance,\t when\t it\t disappeared\t like\t a\t cloud\t of\t vapor.\t There\t are dozens\t of\t authentic\t stories\t of\t the\t ghostly\t peculiarities\t of\t the\t Betts\t ghost\t which are\tnew\tand\tpeculiar. It\t appears,\t since\t the\t destruction\t of\t the\t Betts\t homestead,\t to\t have\t taken\t up\t its quarters\t near\t the\t highway,\t and\t here\t it\t appears\t to\t people\t who\t have\t generally scoffed\t and\t laughed\t at\t the\t former\t stories.\t That\t it\t is\t bullet-proof\t does\t not\t need testimony,\tlocated,\tas\tit\tis,\tin\ta\tsection\tof\tcountry\twhich\thas\tfor\tyears\tbeen\tnoted for\tits\tfearless\tmen\u2014such\tas\tthe\tDuskys,\tDowns\tand\tothers\tof\tnational\tfame\tas sharp-shooters,\t scouts,\t etc.,\t during\t the\t late\t war.\t None\t of\t these\t men\t have succeeded\tin\t\\\"laying\\\"\tor\tputting\ta\tquietus\tto\tit.\tThere\tis\ta\tstory\tthat\ta\tcouple\tof men\thad\tbeen\tmurdered\tor\tdisappeared\tin\tthis\tvicinity,\tand\tthat\tthe\tghost\tis\tthe uneasy\tspirit\tof\tone\tof\tthese\tmen,\tbut\tthere\tis\tno\treal\tevidence\tthat\tanybody\twas ever\tkilled\tthere. There\t is\t no\t doubt\t that\t Calhoun\t County\t has\t a\t mystery\t which\t neither\t time, bullets,\tcourage\tnor\tphilosophy\tcan\teither\tdrive\taway\tor\texplain.\tIt\thas\tcome\tto stay.\tIf\tyou\tmeet\ta\tCalhouner\tjust\tmention\tit,\tand\the\twill\ttell\tyou\tthat\tthe\t\\\"Betts ghost\\\"\tis\ta\tcounty\tpossession\twhich\tit\twill\tgladly\tdispose\tof\tat\tany\tprice. TOM\tCYPHER'S\tPHANTOM\tENGINE","(Seattle\tPress-Times,\tJan.\t10,\t1892) Locomotive\t engineers\t are\t as\t a\t class\t said\t to\t be\t superstitious,\t but\t J.M. Pinckney,\tan\tengineer\tknown\tto\talmost\tevery\tBrotherhood\tman,\tis\tan\texception to\t the\t rule.\t He\t has\t never\t been\t able\t to\t believe\t the\t different\t stories\t told\t of apparitions\t suddenly\t appearing\t on\t the\t track,\t but\t he\t had\t an\t experience\t last Sunday\t night\t on\t the\t Northern\t Pacific\t east-bound\t overland\t that\t made\t his\t hair stand\ton\tend. By\t the\t courtesy\t of\t the\t engineer,\t also\t a\t Brotherhood\t man,\t Mr.\t Pinckney\t was riding\t on\t the\t engine.\t They\t were\t recounting\t experiences,\t and\t the\t fireman,\t who was\ta\tgreen\thand,\twas\tgetting\tvery\tnervous\tas\the\tlistened\tto\tthe\ttales\tof\twrecks and\t disasters,\t the\t horrors\t of\t which\t were\t graphically\t described\t by\t the\t veteran engineers. The\t night\t was\t clear\t and\t the\t rays\t from\t the\t headlight\t flashed\t along\t the\t track, and,\t although\t they\t were\t interested\t in\t spinning\t yarns,\t a\t sharp\t lookout\t was\t kept, for\tthey\twere\trapidly\tnearing\tEagle\tgorge,\tin\tthe\tCascades,\tthe\tscene\tof\tso\tmany disasters\tand\tthe\tplace\twhich\tis\tsaid\tto\tbe\tthe\tmost\tdangerous\ton\tthe\t2,500\tmiles of\t road.\t The\t engineer\t was\t relating\t a\t story\t and\t was\t just\t coming\t to\t the\t climax when\the\tsuddenly\tgrasped\tthe\tthrottle,\tand\tin\ta\tmoment\thad\t\\\"thrown\ther\tover,\\\" that\tis,\treversed\tthe\tengine.\tThe\tair\tbrakes\twere\tapplied\tand\tthe\ttrain\tbrought\tto a\tstandstill\twithin\ta\tfew\tfeet\tof\tthe\tplace\twhere\tEngineer\tCypher\tmet\this\tdeath two\t years\t ago.\t By\t this\t time\t the\t passengers\t had\t become\t curious\t as\t to\t what\t was the\t matter,\t and\t all\t sorts\t of\t questions\t were\t asked\t the\t trainmen.\t The\t engineer made\tan\texcuse\tthat\tsome\tof\tthe\tmachinery\twas\tloose,\tand\tin\ta\tfew\tmoments\tthe train\twas\tspeeding\ton\tto\ther\tdestination. \\\"What\tmade\tyou\tstop\tback\tthere?\\\"\tasked\tPinckney.\t\\\"I\theard\tyour\texcuse,\tbut I\thave\trun\ttoo\tlong\ton\tthe\troad\tnot\tto\tknow\tthat\tyour\texcuse\tis\tnot\tthe\ttruth.\\\" His\t question\t was\t answered\t by\t the\t engineer\t pointing\t ahead\t and\t saying excitedly: \\\"There!\tLook\tthere!\tDon't\tyou\tsee\tit?\\\" \\\"Looking\tout\tof\tthe\tcab\twindow,\\\"\tsaid\tMr.\tPinckney,\t\\\"I\tsaw\tabout\t300\tyards ahead\tof\tus\tthe\theadlight\tof\ta\tlocomotive.\\\" \\\"Stop\tthe\ttrain,\tman,\\\"\tI\tcried,\treaching\tfor\tthe\tlever. \\\"Oh,\tit's\tnothing.\tIt's\twhat\tI\tsaw\tback\tat\tthe\tgorge.\tIt's\tTom\tCypher's\tengine,","No.\t33.\tThere's\tno\tdanger\tof\ta\tcollision.\tThe\tman\twho\tis\trunning\tthat\tahead\tof us\tcan\trun\tit\tfaster\tbackward\tthan\tI\tcan\tthis\tone\tforward.\tHave\tI\tseen\tit\tbefore? Yes,\t twenty\t times.\t Every\t engineer\t on\t the\t road\t knows\t that\t engine,\t and\t he's always\twatching\tfor\tit\twhen\the\tgets\tto\tthe\tgorge.\\\" \\\"The\t engine\t ahead\t of\t us\t was\t running\t silently,\t but\t smoke\t was\t puffing\t from the\tstack\tand\tthe\theadlight\tthrew\tout\trays\tof\tred,\tgreen,\tand\twhite\tlight.\tIt\tkept\ta short\t distance\t ahead\t of\t us\t for\t several\t miles,\t and\t then\t for\t a\t moment\t we\t saw\t a figure\ton\tthe\tpilot.\tThen\tthe\tengine\trounded\ta\tcurve\tand\twe\tdid\tnot\tsee\tit\tagain. We\t ran\t by\t a\t little\t station,\t and\t at\t the\t next,\t when\t the\t operator\t warned\t us\t to\t keep well\tback\tfrom\ta\twild\tengine\tthat\twas\tahead,\tthe\tengineer\tsaid\tnothing.\tHe\twas not\t afraid\t of\t a\t collision.\t Just\t to\t satisfy\t my\t own\t mind\t on\t the\t matter\t I\t sent\t a telegram\tto\tthe\tengine\twiper\tat\tSprague,\tasking\thim\tif\tNo.\t33\twas\tin.\tI\treceived a\treply\tstating\tthat\tNo.\t33\thad\tjust\tcome\tin,\tand\tthat\ther\tcoal\twas\texhausted\tand boxes\tburned\tout.\tI\tsuppose\tyou'll\tbe\tinclined\tto\tlaugh\tat\tthe\tstory,\tbut\tjust\task any\tof\tthe\tboys,\talthough\tmany\tof\tthem\twon't\ttalk\tabout\tit.\tI\twould\tnot\tmyself\tif I\twere\trunning\ton\tthe\troad.\tIt's\tunlucky\tto\tdo\tso.\\\" With\tthis\tcomment\tupon\tthe\ttale\tMr.\tPinckney\tboarded\ta\tpassing\tcaboose\tand was\tsoon\ton\this\tway\tto\tTacoma.\tIt\tis\tbelieved\tby\tNorthern\tPacific\tengineers\tthat Thomas\tCypher's\tspirit\tstill\thovers\tnear\tEagle\tgorge. GHOSTS\tIN\tCONNECTICUT (N.Y.\tSun,\tSept.\t1,\t1885) \\\"There\t is\t as\t much\t superstition\t in\t New-England\t to-day\t as\t there\t was\t in\t those old\t times\t when\t they\t slashed\t Quakers\t and\t built\t bonfires\t for\t witches.\\\"\t It\t was\t a New\t York\t man\t who\t gave\t expression\t to\t this\t rather\t startling\t statement.\t He\t has been\t summering\t in\t Connecticut,\t and\t he\t avers\t that\t his\t talk\t about\t native superstition\t is\t founded\t on\t close\t observation.\t Perhaps\t it\t is;\t anyhow\t he\t regaled the\t Times's\t correspondent\t with\t some\t entertaining\t incidents\t which\t he\t claims establish\tthe\ttruth\tof\this\tsomewhat\tastonishing\ttheories. Old\t Stratford,\t the\t whitewashed\t town\t between\t this\t place\t and\t Bridgeport, made\t famous\t by\t mysterious\t \\\"rappings\\\"\t many\t years\t ago,\t and\t more\t recently celebrated\t as\t the\t scene\t of\t poor\t Rose\t Clark\t Ambler's\t strange\t murder,\t is\t much concerned\t over\t a\t house\t which\t the\t almost\t universal\t verdict\t pronounces \\\"haunted.\\\"\tThe\tfamily\tof\tElihu\tOsborn\tlives\tin\tthis\thouse,\tand\tghosts\thave\tbeen","clambering\tthrough\tit\tlately\tin\ta\twonderfully\tpromiscuous\tfashion.\tTwo\tor\tthree families\t were\t compelled\t to\t vacate\t the\t premises\t before\t the\t Osborns,\t proud\t and skeptical,\t took\t possession\t of\t them.\t Now\t the\t Osborns\t are\t hunting\t for\t a\t new home.\tChildren\tof\tthe\tfamily\thave\tbeen\tawakened\tat\tmidnight\tby\tvisitors\twhich persisted\t in\t shaking\t them\t out\t of\t bed;\t Mrs.\t Osborn\t has\t been\t confronted\t with ghostly\tspectacles,\tand\tthrough\tthe\thalls\tand\tvacant\trooms\tstrange\tfootsteps\tare frequently\theard\twhen\tall\tthe\tfamily\tare\ttrying\tto\tsleep;\tsounds\tloud\tenough\tto arouse\t every\t member\t of\t the\t household.\t Then\t the\t manifestations\t sometimes change\t to\t moanings\t and\t groanings\t sufficiently\t vehement\t and\t pitiful\t to\t distract all\twho\thear\tthem.\tOnce\tupon\ta\ttime,\tperhaps\ta\tdozen\tyears\tago,\tJonathan\tRiggs lived\tin\tthis\thouse,\tand\tas\tthe\tlocal\tgossips\tassert,\tRiggs\tcaused\tthe\tdeath\tof\this wife\t by\t his\t brutal\t conduct\t and\t then\t swallowed\t poison\t to\t end\t his\t own\t life.\t The anniversary\t of\t the\t murderous\t month\t in\t the\t Riggs\t family\t has\t arrived\t and\t the manifestations\t are\t so\t frequent\t and\t so\t lively\t that\t \\\"the\t like\t has\t never\t been\t seen before,\\\"\t as\t is\t affirmed\t by\t a\t veteran\t Stratford\t citizen.\t There\t is\t no\t shadow\t of doubt\tin\tStratford\tthat\tthe\tspirits\tof\tthe\tRiggses\tare\tspryly\tcavorting\taround\ttheir former\tabode. Over\t at\t the\t Thimble\t Islands,\t off\t Stony\t Creek,\t is\t an\t acre\t or\t two\t of\t soil\t piled high\ton\ta\tlot\tof\trocks.\tThe\tnatives\tcall\tit\tFrisbie\tIsland.\tNot\tmore\tthan\ta\thundred yards\t off\t shore\t it\t contains\t a\t big\t bleak\t looking\t house\t which\t was\t built\t about twenty\tyears\tago\tto\tserve\tas\ta\tSummer\thotel\twhen\tConnecticut\tcapitalists\twere deep\tin\tschemes\tto\ttempt\tNew\tYorkers\tto\tthis\tpart\tof\tthe\tSound\tshore\tto\tspend their\tSummers.\tNew\tYorkers\tdeclined\tto\tbe\ttempted,\tand\tthe\told\thouse\tis\trapidly approaching\tdecay.\tIt\thas\trecently\tassumed\ta\tpeculiar\tinterest\tfor\tthe\tresidents\tof Stony\t Creek.\t Midnight\t lights\t have\t suddenly\t appeared\t in\t all\t its\t windows\t at frequent\tintervals,\tfitfully\tflashing\tup\tand\tdown\tlike\tthe\tblaze\tin\tthe\tLong\tIsland lighthouses.\t Ghosts!\t This\t is\t the\t universal\t verdict.\t Nobody\t disputes\t it.\t Once\t or twice\ta\thardy\tcrew\tof\tlocal\tsailors\thave\tvolunteered\tto\tgo\tout\tand\tinvestigate\tthe mystery,\tbut\twhen\tthe\ttime\tfor\tthe\ttest\thas\tarrived,\tthere\tsomehow\thave\talways been\treasons\tfor\tpostponing\tthe\texcursion.\tCynical\tpeople\tprofess\tto\tbelieve\tthat practical\tjokers\tare\tat\tthe\troot\tof\tthe\tmanifestations,\tbut\tsuch\ta\tprofane\tview\tis not\t widely\t entertained\t among\t the\t good\t people\t who\t have\t their\t homes\t at\t Stony Creek. Over\tnear\tMiddletown\tis\ta\tfarmer\tnamed\tEdgar\tG.\tStokes,\ta\tgentleman\twho is\t said\t to\t have\t graduated\t with\t honor\t in\t a\t New\t England\t college\t more\t than\t a quarter\tof\ta\tcentury\tago.\tHe\tenjoys,\tperhaps,\tthe\tmost\tnotable\tbit\tof\tsuperstition to\tbe\tfound\tanywhere\tin\tthis\tcountry,\tin\tor\tout\tof\tConnecticut.\tHe\towns\tthe\tfarm"]
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