Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-08-10
to see his new-fangled corn-sheller. Dc

take pity on me, for the crickets are
singing louder than ever tonight, and 1
shall be lonesome enough to de-
"sYes, told Tim I'd drop over ter
night, though I don't believe nothin' in
eny o. these new-fangled machines, ex-
planned her father; en- eff you'll stay
with Matilda Jane I'll let Ethan harness
up old Moll m take you, over ter the
village by nine O'Clock, or whenever you
feel as eff you must CO.
s'' These melancholy autumn days,
when everything in nature reminds US
of our own sad decline, make US more
prone than ever to seek the companion
ship of a congenial spirit, remarked the
minister, in his most solemn tones.
"His cheeks were more like the red,
red rose, than usual, and he had brought
as gifts to the object of his affection
oranges and the Missionaru Herald.
"Miss Matilda Jane was extremely
unconscious and matter-of-fact, though
her toilet bore marks of more than ordi-
nary consideration. you'd better wait
long enough to just taste a cup of tea,
too, Brother Whitcomb,' said she. Il
won't be any time preparing it. The
tea-kettle is ready to boil now. And if
you are not there in time, can't one of
the Deacons open the meeting?'
{" He shook his head plaintively; tWe
are too prone to shut our ears to the
voice of dooty, too prone to follow our
own inclinations m stray away from the
strait and narrow path. No, we must
follow dooty, even though it leads us
away from our dearest companions
glancing with solemn fondness at Miss
Matilda Jane
Ell wouldn't never "a he'd a man in
this world tibet courted me jest as eff he
was exhortin' a sinner!" exclaims Mrs.
Bragdon, warmly.
"He did not follow duty Immediately,
however, | resume, 'but stood irresO-
lutte, with his hat in his hand, for few
moments, then concluded to follow Miss
Matilda Jane into the kitchen instead;
and, though he did not make his adieux
to either Captain John or me, | supposed
he was fastening toward home and the
missionary meeting,' when, in the
course of half-hour or so, Miss NATL
da Jane announced that tea was ready.
"sLa! Brother Whitcomb went home,
after all, did hep inquired the lady,
looking somewhat disturbed, I fancied.
Il thought he had decided to stay.
Strange he didn't come out and say
goodnight
"'Why, didn't hep said Captain
John; she went out toward the kitchen,
and that's the last | saw of him.
s'MisS Matilda Jane seemed slightly
absent-minded for a moment or two, but
soon recovered herself, and was as bright
and talkative as ever. 'Now III make
haste and get my work done up, and
We'll have good long evening together
said she. ethan wants to 90 to the
store, SO he has got the milking done
already, and everything will be out of
the way beautifully by half-past six
"The brightest of fires was blazing
on the hearth, and we dispensed with a
lamp in order to enjoy it to the fullest
extent. 1t was delightful evening.
Miss Matilda Jane, who is good story
teller, told me of all the quaint events
which had ever happened in the old
town. But the wind came up at length,
the tree -boughs cracked weirdly outside,
and we were disturbed by strange noises
during the whole time.
"sSome one is certainly pounding
on the back door," insisted more than
once.
eel hope you won't be scared, but
folks have always said that this house
is haunted,' said Miss Matilda Jane,
cheerfully. sIt's nothing but the wind
bowling through the empty garnet,
though, and the rats tumbling in the
walls. They do carry on outrageously
their noise that you hear now
Impossible!' I said. sDo let us
be brave and open the back door,
in hn of
course, 1 can't hear as distinctly as you
do, but I'm pretty sure there is no one
there
"We proceeded to the door at once,
but found nothing but darkness and
stray apple-bough that was tapping,
though not noisily, on the sill. The
pounding still continued. however, and
[ was quite positive that heard voice,
or voices, shouting from distance, as
if in distress.
$50, that's nothing but the boys
over in Squire Goodnow's barn. They're
shelling corn over there, and make
terrible racket every evening. l can
hear them sometimes myself, if am
hard of hearing,' said Matilda Jane
when l assured her of this fact. Come,
let us 60 into the sitting-room and sit
down again and make ourselves
It's chilly away from the
fire.
81 looked over in the direction of the
barn, and saw the yellow light of a
lantern and moving figures through the
wide-open door, and became more easy
in my mind.
"But at half-past nine Ethan
appeared on the scene, with open mouth |
and startled eyes. who's that amakin'
SIGH an ALFRED poundin' an screechin'
in the suller, or in the dairy, or some
where 'nuther?' he exclaimed, excitedly. |
"sWell, don't know but that the old |
house is haunted, sure enough said |
Miss Matilda Jane, starting to her feet. |
Miss Harris has been hearing queer
noises all the evening. Let us take a |
lamp and see what we can find
'''I hain't no caoward, but wouldn't
zeer to see a spirit piped Ethan,
into corner.
"'Nonsense! spirits don't make such |
noises, said his mistress, laughing.
"'My guns all loaded, m I guess
I'll take it'-long with me- said he, be-