The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-10-21

self tuned-hushr' l quite expected
some supernatural visitation to rebuke
this ill-timed levity. None came. My
brother, having politely waited until
the ghost had finished, began again:
"All these groans are exactly alike"
he said, considering. That's odd,
isn't itP Will, I'll tell you what The
ghosts up the chimney" Once more
the sound came as though to confirm
his words. And it certainly did appear
to proceed from the region of the fire.
place.
Still" resumed my brother, thought
fully, "a ghost IN chimney is an un-
comfortable sort of thing. VIII, we'll
have that chimney swept Fancy a
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 l DIRE. med that the spirit of
chimneysweep appeared to me and
confessed to the murder Of one of the
little boys who were still employed in
those days in his profession. However,
got some sleep. l got none the previ-
Gus night.
We left the Office early in the after
noon. 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 sus-
pense.
When he came down he reported
that he had found nothing. We ques-
toned him eagerly, but he had seen
no ghost or anything belonging to one.
We sent him up again. This time he
found out something. This chimney
communicated with the one next door.
THAT will be the kitchen chimney
next door," said my brother. 1--WE
must explore that" Our landlady was
considerably amazed when we pre-
sented ourselves and asked to be al
lowed to explore. After a little demur,
however, she consented. There was
but small fire in the CRATE, and this
was taken out.
Il 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 a cheerful blaze. But in the
day don't trouble about it." The boy
went up smartly and shortly reap
peared.
why, you've got smoke-jack up
there, missis," said he.
whats a smoke-jack?" said my
brother hastily. The sweep explained.
Its h-apparatus for roasting meat
fixed in the chimbley. 1t has little sails
1ilya i,,et 1;I-o n ,u;,, 49, 900
laid flat instead of being upright. The
hot airs comes up from the fire and
blows these sails around. Then there's
cog-wheel and that communicates the
motion to fy-wheel. A chain passes
round the fly-wheel, coming down to
the CRATE, and turns the spit"
But where are the chains?"
80, they've been taken off, l suppose.
1t isn't used now"
81 didn't know it was there" said
our landlady.
Doesn't it make noisee" asked my
brother. with quick look at me.
I'VE don't hear it." replied the land
lady indifferently.
'Will," said my brother, 'just run
back to the bedroom and listen. l be-
'icve we've got it. I'm going to send
the boy up to turn the thing" | did as
he requested. When | got into the
room the ghost was groaning in splen-
did form. He was going far faster than
| had ever heard him before.
The mystery was solved.
We kept our secret. We were the ad-
niration of every one who knew the
story of the house. And for very SUBJ
stantial reduction in the rent of a very
comfortable house we had to thank the
Groaning Ghost.-BelgraUia.