Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-09-25

OF course can't hear it as distinctly
as you do, but I'm pretty sare there's
no one there
"We proceeded to the door at once,
but found nothiag but darkness and a
stray apple bougk that was tapping,
tho not noisily, on the sill. The
pounding still continued, however,
and 7 was quite positive that heard
a voice or voices shouting from a dis
lance. as if in distress.
"'Oh, that's nothing but the boys
over in Squire Goodnow's barn. They
re Smelling corn over there, and make
terrible racket every evening. | can
hear them sometimes myself, ii l am
hard of hearing, said Matilda Jane,
when l assured her of this fact.
Come, let US go into the sitting room
and sit down again and make ourselv-
es comfortable. It's chilly away from
the fire.
II looked over in the direction of
the barn and saw the yellow light of
lantern and moving figures through
easy IN nay mind.
''But at half-past nine Ethan APP
peared on the scene with open mouth
and startled eyes. Who's thata-mak-
in such an all fred poundin' an
screechin' in the suller or in the dairy
or somewhere nother!" he exclaimed
excitedly.
Well, Idon't know but that the
old house is haunted, sure 'nough,
said Miss Matilda Jane, starting 10
her feet. Miss Harris has been hear
ing queer noises all the evening. Let
us take lamp and see what we can
find
al bain't no coward, but would
MT keer to see a spirit, piped Ethan,
shrinking Into a corner.
Nonsense Spirits don't make such
a noise, said his mistress, laughing.
my guns loaded, n guess III
take it long with me- said he. becom-
ing somewhat reassurcd by her cool.
ness.
Well, take it and come along,
said she quickly. Mss Harris, I'm
afraid you are scared turning to me.
You'd better stay here by the fire; we
shan't be gone long, It's likely.
L
tigating party, and we all three start
ed in solemn procession, guided by the
light of the fitful keoseuce. 1t was q
long distance from the sitting-room
to the back Kitchen, and as we APP
preached this dark aud isolated region
the pounding which had commenced
with vengeance as soon as we had
opened the dining room door, became
more and more distinct. Ethan
shouldered his gun, and looked dark
ly at every shadow.
Goodness the sound comes from
the dairy said Miss Matilda Jane, in
tragical whisper.
Here a voice made itself heard
with great distinctness.
CTS the parson, few, by golly
That's his voice, tho it's so kinder
shaky n funny, said Ethan, rushing
forward bravely and nimbly as an
angry appeal to be let out reached oul
startled ears.
why, he must have followed me
there when / went after butter fol
supper, and l locked him il by mis-
take said Miss Matilda Jane, looking
distressed and rather awe~stricken,
but laughing in spite of herself. He
said that he had something to say tc
me in private, 1 know. but papa was
in such squizzle for his supper thai
| forgot all about iC afterwara.'
cts not very consoling to have
ones misery laughed at, so discreet
ly renamed in the background when
hn e., 10 q
prison-which was like veritable
cell, stone floor md all, l could not
distinguish the words that fell from
his lips, but, as there was an abun
dance of them, uttered in by nc
means his usual smooth, drawing
tone, suppose they must have been
more expressive than polite, for J
heard Miss Matilda Jane say, with
cold distinctness. after little pause,
if you have got such a temper as this
you may as well go your own way,
for all of me. I've seen enough, mosf
than enough, of you, sir.
And if you havn't any more
sense than this, shall be glad to dc
SO. madam was the. quick reply. al
low me to wish you good night
Ethan. light your lantern and &C
with Mr.. Whitcom5 TO the barn snd
help him harness his horse com
manded the lady, turning to follow
me with stately dignity to the sitting
room.'"
CON he never come ag'n," says
| Mrs. Bragdon, whose face is all aglow
with happy excitement. 81 knowed
all the time that they must a'hrd some
kind of a quarrel, m kin see jest
exactly how twas, now, as if I'd a
been there myself. Probably he fol.
Tered her into the dairy to pop the
euestion-it's an orful retired place
m she's so dreadful deaf n absent
minded that she didn't neither see nol
hear him. She's most measurement
spry motioned. tew, for seech person
m suppose she came out n locked
him in fore he had time to think, he
benz kinder fustered like, under the
circumstances l don't wonder no.
body didn't hear him for so long, for
that dairy is mile away from the
houoe, three steps down from from
the back kitchen. WILL, we'll, hope
Alfonso won't bring no more ne VS. to.
night. fer / shan't sleep wink, as
'tis-I know l shan't, m then its kind.
er provokin' in sech dull times ter hev
everything TO oncew