The Lincoln County herald., 1873-03-05
ward with pleasure to the day when be

ward with pleasure to the day when be
would become their master. Night
came. One by one the silvery stars
peeped forth. John believed in hi.
heart that each bright eye in the hsav-
ems above him beamed forth its sympathy
with his bitter woe. His faith 10 their
sympathy comforted him, and he repaired
to his uucles homo with better feelings
than be had left it. The meal passed in
silence. John took his candle, and re.
tired to his room Immediately.
Morning dawued upon the plantation
began the usual hustle and stir prcpara
tory to the days work. Mr.. Moore
called for John, expecting that he had
already begun his duty before him but
John was not in the yard. Upon making
inquiry he learned that he had not come
out Of the house. He ordered Tom, q
stout slave, to 60 in the house and bring
John out instantly, saying Tom should
give an account If there was any delay
Tom obeyed. In q moment he ran back
saying, "Mars John was not in thar, and
he couldn't fnd him."
MIR. Moore went himself to Johns
room. The boy bad certainly been 10
bed the tumblcd bedclothes attested
that fact. Once thing was certain, he
was gone. Mr.. Moore spent some time
in examining the contents of the room.
Every thing was as usual. Nothing was
missing except the boy and the plain suit
of clothes he wore the preceding day
MIR. Moore said nothing. Whatever his
own conclusions we're, he said no word
that would let any one of the slaves
know his thoughts. He soon ordered
them away to their work, aud went very
moodily in to his breakfast.
Time rolled on. No change was per-
ceptible in John Moores mode Of living
except that he daily became harsher in
his words, and moro exactiug Of his nu.
merous slaves. The slaves in their va
various quarters talked over the dlsap.
pearance Of young John. They con
cluded among themselves that foul play
had been done the boy. The older ones
"'cluded young Marse John had been
spirited away" The younger darkies
we're quick to believe they had seen
supernatural sights, and it soon spread
over the different plantations around that
, John Moore's place was haunted.
After the day of the boys disappear
ance the uncle was never known to men
ton his nephcw's name. lie made nc
effort to find the boy, but pursued hi
business career successfully tho re
, maiudcr of his life. In time the ole
miser passed away from the scenes Of BIZ
earthly struggles.
In life he had been far too ttingy t
o spend money in comforts for himself
g AMI his property was SO dear to him tina
he didn't once think of making o will be
queathiug his money, land and slaves T.
: any one else. After the funeral wa
+ over, come distant relatives came for
9 ward as heirs of the estate. No on
could legally disprovs their rights, an
it was advertised that the vast possessions
consisting of rich lands, valuable slaves
u &C.. &C., belonging to the late job
d Moore, were for sale, in order to make
n final disposition Of the property. Th
f time appointed for the sale gradual
:, approached. Excitement ran high i
). consequence. The land was very rich
q and many of the planters wero deter
Q mined to possess themselves Of that po,
r. ton Of the land next their own plantu
tious. One tract in particular SCENE
to be the specially coveted spot anon
B. several different gentlemen, namely job
'r Moore's homestead AMI that portion {
o land on which bis house was situated
ia A rumor became generally circulated I
the effect that strange sights we're visible
and sounds of the most singular and su
IS pernatural character were heard in tn
Ie house aud among the out houses. Th
Ia wiseacres shook their heads 10 the sage
!. manner possible, aud openly expresse
y disbelief in the stories aAoat conccrnin
10 the horrid sights and trightful sount
1t which could be heard every night. Di
% belief from the most respectable did NJ
[e quiet matters. Daily the reports in
creased.
y One man, braver than the rest, dete
"a mined to test the matter, and said be vi
or not afraid to pass the night alone in Il
70 house. So, arming himself with bra
~ Of pistols aud fine dirk, he repaired
o the house said to be haunted. lie toe
the precaution to enter the house befo
N sundown, in company with two Of b
Q. we'll tried friends, who aided him 10
ii thorough search Of the premises. I'll
search was soon made; there was notl
ing found that could in any way distul
D. the peace Of any one. There was no hi
ol ing place whore persons bent on disbolic
ID practices could conceal themselves. III
q. friends left, and our fearless hero I
!, mained, determined to win bis laurt
!? fairly, as the man who could probe 4
- mysteries Of the haunted house. Tv
r light doepened into night, and as the q
g. very moon, 10 all the glory Of the thi
be quarter, slowly rose, dispelliug the dar
ness which had before settled upon I
~ surrounding scenes, our hero began
he feel vastly comfortable. He had p'
m