The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-09-06

any one here, as would do that much,
but me. Howsomever, in the daytime,
and with company, 1 don't mind dom
so much for the sake of the old Cap.
tain's folks-God rest his soul!"
"You knew Captain Willis, then?"
90, aye! Everybody here knew
him."
"What is your name?'
"Thomas Burt, your honor"
II shall need at least two more men
to move away Mrs. Willis household
effects. Can't you get them for me?''
at can't be done, sir" was the pos
tive reply.
"Why, what set of old wives you
men must be here in this town to be
scared by lot of silly stories about
ghosts and hauntingsr'
beg pardon again. sir; but neither
you nor any one else has right to
speak that way about men old enough
to be your father I'd like to help the
Captains widow; but if you're to talk
like that, you'd better look for some
one else. Good morning, sir!"
Crawford was amused at the old fell
lows anger, but could not dispense
with him yet.
"Here, Burt-come back" he called
out, Here's-a dollar for you, wheth-
err you 90 into the old house with me
or not. / always like sailors; I've been
with them many a voyage, though
not much of sailor myself; and
don't want to offend an old salt like
YOU"
90, no offense, your honor; you're
a nice-spoken gentleman" said Tom,
returning and pocketing the coin.
q ought to tell you." Crawford
continued, that Captain Willis was
my best friend. was with him on his
vessel when he was killed by the
mutineers, and l nearly lost my life in
trying to defend him. could show
you wounds clear through my chest,
not yet healed, that l got from the
knives of the mutineers that night"
The under-jaw of Mr.. Burt dropped
with surprise.
"Let me shake your hand, your
HONOR" and he sawed that member up
and down in such vigorous pump.
handle fashion that Crawford had to
remind him that he was not strong
enough yet for so enthusiastic greet.
ing.
"Well, the Lord love your brave
young soul. I'm proud and happy to
see you and take you by the hand! What
can l do for you or for the widow, OF
her pretty darter?''
''rll tell you, Tom. You're the only
man I've got hold of here yet who
promises me any help; and 1 want tc
tell you what will make you believe
that you and all the people here have
been frightened at shadows. Captain
Willis talked with me freely about thai
house, and the stories of it's being
haunted; but he did not believe a wore
of it,
mot believe it, sir! Why he told
them yarns himself, all over town."
He told me that, too; but he die
that for certain purpose. l may tel
the people here what it was, some
day."
''Capt'n Willis not believe the house
was spookyr' the sailor repeated
dwelling upon the incredible fact
"Why, he came back to it himself aft
er he was dead! Mrs. Willis and hel
da'ter saw him.
YOU'RE certainly wrong the~o, my
old friend. Both of them tell l.. thai
they saw nothing of the kin -
Tom Burt was staggered. He looked
from the speaker to the house, as
though expecting that the latter might
suddenly take wings and soar aloft
The cherished decisions of himself and
his mates were one by one being mer.
cilessly destroyed by this unbeliever.
Still he would not yield.
''But them wimmen heard shoutins
that highland screechins-and hidg.
eous laffin-and pistols!''
ITO be sure they did, Tom; and
know who made all that disturbance.
l have fully satisfied both these ladies
that they were most cruelty and
brutally imposed upon by a black
hearted scOundrel. for his own Grim.
inal ends. If the ladies come back
here next summer, as they may, we
shall probably have to make the whole
curious story public, so as to clear the
house of its bad NAME"
Tom stared at the speaker in blank
and hopeless incredulity.
"The fact seems to be-" Crawford
continued, 'that houses are very much
like dogs in the proverb. Only give