Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-10-01

explained her father, 'n eff you'll
stay with Matilda Jane I'll let Ethan
harness up the old Moll n take yer
over ter the village by 9 o'clock. or
whenever you feel as eff you must
co."
"'These melancholy autu am DAYS,
when everything in nature reminds
us of our own sad decline, make us
more prone than ever to seek the
companionshlp of eongenial 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 Missionary
Herald.
''Miss Matildy Jane was extremely
UNCONSCIOUS and matter of>fact, tho
her toilet bore marks of more than
ordinary consideration. You'd better
wait long enough to just taste cup
of tea. too, Brother Nhitcomb,' said
she, I wont'tl be any time preparing
it. The teakettle 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.
We are too prone to shut our eyes to
the vece of dooty, too prone to follow
our own inclinations n stray away
from the straight and narrow path.
No, we must follow dooty, even tho
| it leads us away from our dearest
companions glancing with solemn
fondness at Miss Matilda Jane"
81 wouldn't never "a he'd a man in
this world tibet courted me just as eff
he was exhortin' a sinner" exclaimed
Mrs. Bragdon.
she did not follow duty immediate.
ly, however, I resumed, 'but stood
irresolute, 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 adieu to either Captain
John Or me, Isupposed he was hasten
ing toward home and the missionary
meetin',' when in the course of half
hour Or so, Miss Matilda Jane az
nounce6 that tea was ready"
LA! Brother Whitcomb went home
after ali, did he?" inquired the lady,
| locking somewhat disturbed I fancied.
81 thought he had decided to stay.
Strange be didn't come out and say
good night"
"'Why didn't he?" said Captain
John; he went out toward the kit
chen, and that is the last saw of
him.
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
I'll hasten and get my work done, and
Well have long evening together,
said she.
"The brightest of fires was blazing
on the hearth, and we dispensed with
lamp in order to enjoy 1t to the full
est extent. It was a delightful eve
ming. Miss Matilda Jane, who is a
good story teller, told me of all the
quaint events which had ever happen
/ ed IN the old town. But the wind
came up at length, the tree boughs
cracked weirdty, and we were disturb
ed by strange noises during the whole
| time.
"'Some one is certainly pounding
OH the back door, insisted more than
once.
81 hope you won't be scared, but
folks have always said that this house
is haunted, said Miss Matilda Jane,
cheerfulIy. It's nothing but the wind
bowling thro' the empty garnet, tho,
and the rats tHmbling in the walls.
They do carry on outrageous when
it grows still at night. It's their noise
you hear now
impossible I said. DO let us be
brave and open the back door,
"'Oh, I'm not Ia the least afraid.
Of course [ can't hear it as distinctly
as you do, but I'm pretty sure there's
no one there
"We proceeded to the door at once,
but found nothing but darkness and
stray apple bough that was tapping,
tho not noisily, on the sill. The
pounding still continued, however,
and was quite positive that heard
voice or voices shouting from 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
a terrible racket every evening. can
hear them sometimes myself, if | am
hard of hearing, said Matilda Jane,
when I 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.
81 looked over in the direction of
the barn and saw the yellow light of
lantern and moving figures through
the wide open door, and became more
easy IN nay mind.
''But at half-past nine Ethan ap-
peared on the scene with open mouth
and startled eyes. Who's that.a-mak-
in such an all fred poundin' aa
screechin' in the suller or in the dairy
or somewhere nothers" he exclaimed
excitedly.
"'Well, Idon't know but that the
old house is haunted, sure 'nough,
said Miss Matilda Jane, starting TO
her feet, Miss Harris has been hear
ing queer noises all the evening. Let
| 70 1apo,,a,I COO v-ho4 o,,,