St. Landry democrat., 1880-05-15

Elizabeth, chow did de snake git up
dar?'
He had it in box, and someway de
warmth Got out, but | links it was de
evil one hisself coined fur his own. Well,
two years arter dat, his son hanged his
self in dis room from dat jist.n
Elizabeth screamed Historically.
"Well, de house got bad name, and
de Simmons family dey moved away.
Aunt Mary Green she bought de place,
fur she SEE, DE white folks ghostesSes
amt gwine to trubble an honest ole col
ored woman De berry next week dev
found her dead in bed wild her pore face
all twisted round.
"Oders tuck de place, but de spirits
kept sich a tromplin' in de loft, and a
bangin' and brick-battin' at de doors
and de winders, dat dey couldn't stay.
Sometimes Oh dark night, eff you goes
out, something a most knocks YOU down,
groanin' all de time, and sometimes
givin' a awful screech, till your har
stands on eend''
go, mercy on ust' groaned Elizabeth.
"Wot is we gwine to do, wild de rent
paid, and our plumber moved here? My
Zoe is a master hand fur prayin' and
singin hymns. He's 'ligious man, is
Joe, and I've hearn tell spcrits can
abear de Bible
Joe Smith entered the room at that
moment, his face beaming with delight
at the excellent bargain he had made in
getting the Simmons farm. He was a
small, why, nervous little man, much
lighter in complexion than his wife, but
in spite of his diminutive stature, he was
master in his household
He was accompanied by his only son,
a pert, conceited young fellow about
eighteen years old, who had a thorough
contempt for his parents homely ways
and opinions, though he did not dare
express himself in his fathers presence.
He had wholesome remembrance of
the discipline of his early years.
Sarbent, ladies' said Joe, with
bow. Alexander, make your manners
to de company. Glad to see you, Mary
Jane, but I 'clar to goodness, eff you
amt skimpier and more dried up dan
you was in Texas. Country don't agree
wild you, l reckon
"'Twon't agree wild us, Joe,' groaned
his wife. ssMiss Potters been tellin'
me how dis here house is harnted"
Now Joe was devout believer in the
supernatural, and it was terrible shock
to find himself in a house with ghostly
reputation. But he was also prudent,
money-loving man. He had paid his
rent in advance, he had brought his
stock and farming implements, and he
could not give up the place without
pecuniary loss that he shrank from con-
"Well, reckon We'll hab to lay de
ghosts someway," he said, with a sickly
smile, which did not impose upon sharp
eyed Mrs. Potter, who was watching
him intently.
"l'll promise to eat all the ghosts,''
said Alexander laughing scornfully. 81
declare, if mother don't really believe in
elm, shaking and trembling there. No
body-no educated person, [ mean-be-
lieves in such things nowadays I'm
willin' to face an army of 'em. I only
ask 'em to spar my mustache, ''-laugh-
ing and caressing sparse assemblage of
hairs on his upper lip,
Hush up, you wicked, sinful boyr'
groaned his mother de sperits may
be listenin' to your mockin' words. O
Miss Potter, is you gwine, you and Mary
Jane, too? I'll come ober and see YOU
tomorrow, eff Pm spared to see anoder
sum-
Mrs. Potter shook hands with her
oityingly, murmured, "Heben purtect
7our' several times, gazed up at the IA
al joist with a groan and a shudder, and
vas gone.
The husband and wife looked at each
,ther, and Elizabeth poured the doleful
ale into Joe's ears, who listened in dead
Hence. The ghostly legends seemed to
When his mother told him to go to bed
n an inner room, the valorous youth
positively refused. So the whole family
at by the fire, almost overcome by sleep
nd WEAKNESS, but yet afraid to close
heir eyes.
Late in the night bang, bang, bang!
anne to the back Kitchen door, and sim
there were shuffiing noises
card in the loft overhead, accompanied
y groans.
Too terrified to scream, Elizabeth
lutched Joe tightly around the neck.
Sing Rock Oh Ages" she gasped. ..
Maybe it'll drive EN- away.
Poor Joe's quavering voice rose faint +
7 in the first line, and when moeking !;
ugh was heard overhead, and the bang, ,
ang! commenced again on the back |
oor. Crash went one of the kitchen .
and then came the noise of =
roken crockery =
I'm gwine to see bout it," Joe spoke =
P, trying to summon up his departed e
>urage. Ode ghostesses is maxim a +
nash OBJ our crockery, and can't stay +
net and hear dat. l amt got money to 7
aste dat way !
80, don't 60, Joe," sobbed 'Lizabeth, =
inging to him. Let Alexander 90 and a
cag the box in here. You're husbind s
I'd be fader OBJ family alexander was t
e only child, and you sha'n't 'spose s
our life.''
:" l amt a-goin'," spoke up Alexander,
hose yellow face had become CHASTITY.
[ amt a-goin' to be killed for a box of !,
cookery, nohow. Let pa go, sence !.
IS so brave. Listen! they're at it =;
gain in the loft.'' u
The dancing and grooming were heard $
gain, followed by quavering CRY of IL