The Springdale news., 1888-10-05
Nuthia' much,' was tse evasive sc-

DOeS ne often come to the village}" No''
 Well, if you know any thing about those people tell ii to me"
 Toby shrugged his shoulders, cast an un- easy look about him, and said:
 '''Tant much know, and taint much I want to know"
 Tell mo just what you do know, and all that you've heard of it.'
 five been to the house two or three timcs," said Toby, in an awe-inspiring whisper. But thars a great high wall all round it. so one can't see inside. Tommy Miles once peepcd through the backyard wall and says he saw the prettiest girl he ever set eyes on in his life. People say they kill folks up at that big house"
 When was the house built?" asked Allen, hoping to bring the boy back from speculation, to answer facts.
 "I dpno,n Toby answered. "'Twas long afore was born"
 Do you know who built it?"
 "No I've hecrd ma say it was built by some rich people who hved there long ago, and then left"
 How long have these people lived hero, Toby.a
 Its only been few months since they come back the last time They wont hev nothIn' to do with US, an we uns don't hey nothin' to do with 'em."
 Where did they come from"
 "N No 'un knows. The house had been vacant, except two old people stayed there and kinder tux leer O 1t. The man was cross an wouldn t talk nuthin but French, an the old woman was deaf and dumb. The boys used try to git in the orchard, but the old feller came out witha gun an swore in fuffen language at 'em, an slkeered aem so bad they wouldn't go nigh it. Then thar.s beeh some awful sights seen thar O nights concluded Toby, shuddering.
 " What were theyF'
 '' Well, Tommy Niles said he hoped he might drop dead if 'twasn't so. He was Comin home through the woods one night, an thought he'd risk comin' by the rock house. When he go' nigh it, he heard a awful screamin' jist like some one was be- in killed, an every Winderin the house was great blaze O hght. He said he'd swear he saw a woman standin' at winder with wings jist ready to fly when some un pulled her back. Then old Dobbs went by there one night all saw the blinds an curtains all ablaze like, an people fyiu' around the cellin'n
 ' Who is this man Dobbsa"
 ;" Hes an old feller who lives out in the country on farm"
 ' Does he drink!n
 C Like fish
 q guess he had been drinking that day. which accounts for his seeing the wonder ful sights at the old house,
 '' He says twas spirits, sad Toby.
 " Doubtless it was; but the spirits he drank before leaving town"
 = Thar's others who,ye seen strange sights up thar, Mr. Gray returned Toby, after few moments pause.
 '' There is some deep mystery about the house and people who live there, but when once understood you will find nothing su- pernatural about it. Why do people here object to talking about that old house on the hill.'
 !" Cos It's haunted," said Toby, with shudder an it drives people away from the Pint. Every body says fit hadn't been fur that old house on the hill we'd had q boom here long ago.
 Allen dismissed Toby for the day, locked the office and went to his boarding house, his mind full of the strange mystery of which he could learn so little
 Next day Tonay Barnes entered with q smile on his face, and bundle of manu- script under his arm. With an air of tri- umph, he said
 Just let me read you what I've got here"
 T am pressed for time, Mr Barnes, :" pleaded the editor. "LeaYc it and let mo read t at my leisure"
 Oh, no, 1t will not take long, " replied ToneY. with commanding smile.
 '' But you don't intend reading all that to me-
 l. won't take long,
 Ny time is very precious now. Every hour 1 lose this morning must Le taken from my sleep tonight"
 It was useless to eXpostulate A country editor can not, like the city editor. send d cier.s or office boz to talk with theam5itious author who Is bold enough to invade his sanctum lie usually is 50 unfortunate as to be acquainted with tine literary aspirant, and escape from 3 personal interview is inn possible. T0ncy Barnes was certain the editor would not discover the beauty in his poetry unless the author read himself, and gave 1t the proper eloeutionary embel- hShmentS. |: Was no use 10 argue that he could not read ii to every body, aad that newspaper poetry Is to be read and not heard. be Was determined, and Allen was forced to listen.
 "TAere aaa several pieces hero" said the poet with q cruel smile. . Let me see which l will read first Allen had no choice, and at last the author seemed to have found one that suited for q beginning and, spreading it out on his knee, said
 Il will now read you something on l spring.
 \ spring poem usually makes the ex- pericnccd editor desperate. Country ed itors. especially, have horror of spring poetry. But Toney, like all other poets, having no regard for other peoples nerves, began:
 "Those Beauteous sunny days lave come,
 The gladdcst of the ycur
 When verlant nature strews the earth
 With wild abuulant cheer
 Remain, oh lovely days, remain
 With all your pleateous peace.
 And r.1j,t= ,-,1rtr rfSn. 4,3d ca44ffft1v,0r.