The Sunday herald., 1886-08-15

"All these groans are exactly alike" he
said, considering. "Thats odd, isn't II Y"
Will, I'll tell you what. The ghosts up
the chimney" Once more the sound came,
as though to confirm his words. Aud II Ger.
tainly did appear to proceed from the region
Of the fireplace.
"Still," resumed my brother, thought.
fully, "a ghost in chimney Is an uncom.
Portable sort Of thing. VIII, wen have that
chimney swept. Fancy ghost coming down
with the SCOT. Well see about II the first
thing tomorrow"
This awful threat appeared too much for
! our unearthly visitor, for he gave tongue no
more that night. We wont to bed, and
dreamed that the spirit Of n chimney sweep
appeared to me and confessed to the murder
OF one of the little boys, who we're still en-
ployed in those days in his profession. How
ever, got some sleep. I got none the pre-
vious night.
We left the office early in the afternoon
We secured the services Of an intelligent
sweep and 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 any
thing belonging TO one. We sent him mp
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 presented ourselves and
asked to be allowed to explors. After a
little dsmur, however, she consented. There
was but small fire in the grate, and this
was taken out.
II don't maks It up until II o'clock at
night" she explained. mot until my
master comes home tired after his days
work. Then We have our bit Of supper
aud drihk our grog, and we like to 500 a
cheerful blaze. But in the day I don't
trouble about It," The boy went up
smartly and shortly rsappsarsd.
| why, you've got smoke jack mp there,
| Missis," said he.
whats smoke jack 2" said my brother
hastily. The sweep explained.
"It's h.apparatus for roasting meat, fixed
In the chimney. II has little sails like,
just like windmill, only they are laid fiat
instead Of being upright. The hot air comes
up from the fire and blows these sails round.
Then there's a cog heel aud that communi-
cate the motion TO fy-wheel. A chain
passes round the fy-wheel, coming down
'But whsrs ars the chainsf"
"Oh, they've been taken of, l suppose.
II isn't used now.
III didn't know II was there" said our
landiady.
| "Do-sn't It make a noise Y' asked my
brother, with a quick look at me.
"Ws don't hear II it," replied the land
lady, indiferently.
"Wili," said my brother, "just run back
to ths bedruOm and listen. l believe we've
got IL. l am going TO send the boy mp to
turn the thing" did as he requested.
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.
Daring the day the current of hot air was
not strong epOngh TO act on the blades and
set the revolving portion of the machine in
motion. But when the great fire was made
up at night the foros was ample. The re.
volving portion of jack is raised to a
small extent from the frams and hearing of the
pivot ON which II revolves. Reduce the force
OF the current hy letting the fire go out and
the blades of the jack descend. The rsvolu
tions become gradually slower and slower.
The pivot bearing had no lnbrication, aud
consequently made ihe groaning noise.
ton of everyone who knew the story of the
house. And for a very substantial rsduc.
ion in the rent of q very comfortable house
Wa had to thank the Groaning Ghost.-Bel.
grduid.