Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-09-27
GLOBE REPUBLIC MONDAY EVENING SEPTEMBER 27 1886

said, considering That's odd, isn't it,"
VIII, I'll tell you what. The ghosts up
the chimney" Once more the sound
came. as though TO affirm his words. And
it certainly did appear TO proceed from
the region of the fireplace.
still, resumed my brother. thought
fully, ghost in a chimney is an uncom-
Portable sort of thing. VIII, we'l have
that chimney swept. Fancy ghost
coming down with the SCOT, Well see
about it the first thing Tomorrow"
This awful threat appeared too much
for our unearthly visitor, for he gave
tongue no more that night. We went to
bed, and dreamed that the spirit Of a
chimney sweep appeared to me and con-
fessed to the murder of one of the little
boys, who were still employed in those
days in his profe ssion. However, got
some sleep. | got none the previous
night.
We left the office early in the afternoon.
We secured the services of an intelligent
sweep and a sharp little bright-eyed boy.
The chimney was amply wide for the
youngster to climb, and up he went. We
waited in suspense.
When he came down, he reported that
he had found nothing. We questioned
him eagerly, but he had seen no ghost or
anything belonging to one. We sent him
up again. This time he found out some
thing. This chimney communicated With
the one next door
That will be the kitchen chimney next
door" said my brother. ave must ex-
plOre that" Our landlady was consider
ably amazed when we presented ourselves
ana asked to be allowed to explore. After
little demur, however, she consented.
There was but small fire in the CRATE,
and this was taken out.
a don't make it up until II o'clock at
night she explained. Not until my
master comes home tired after his days
work Then we have our bit of supper
and drink our grog, and we like to see
cheerful blaze. But in the day don't
trouble about it" The boy went up
smartly and shortly re-appeared.
"Why, YOU We got smoke jack up there,
missis," said he.
What's a smoke jacks" said my brother
hastily. The sweep explained.
Its a h-apparatus for roasting meat,
fixed in the chimbley. 1t has little sails
like. just like a windmill, only they are
laid flat instead of being upright. The hot
air comes up from the fire and blows
these sails round. Then there's a cog
wheel that communicates the motion to
tly-wheeL A chain passes round the fly
wheel, coming down to the crate, and
turns the spit"
But where are the chains?'
"Oh, they've been taken off, suppose
1t isn't used now"
81 didn't know it was there" said our
landlady.
doesn't it make noise?" asked my
brother, with quick look at me.
1--WE don't hear it" replied the landlady
indifTerenty.
will" said my brother "just run back
to the bedroom and listen. | believe
we've got it. | am going to send the boy
up to turn the thing" | did as he re-
quested When got into the room, the
ghost was groaning in splendid form. He
was going far faster than | had ever
heard him before.
The mystery was solved.
During the day the current of hot air
was not strong enough to act on the
blades and set the revolving portion of
the machine in motion. But when the
CRATE fire was made up at night the force
was ample. The revolving portion of
jack is raised to a small extent from
the frame and bearing of the privot on
which ii revOlyes. Reduce the force of
the current by letting the fire go out and
the blades of the jack descend. The revo-
lutions become gradually slower and
slower The pivot bearing had no lubri-
cation, and consequently made the groan-
ing noise.
We kept our secret We were the ad-
miration of every one who knew the
story of the house. And for very sub
stantial reduction in the rent of very
comfortable house we had to thank the
Groaning Ghost.-Belgravia