Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-09-12

to move away Mrs Willis household effects. Can't you get them for me7''
 ''It can't be done, sir" was the pos itive 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 hauntings!''
 Beg pardon again. sir; but neither you nor any one else has a 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 fel- lows anger, but could not dispense with him yet
 Here, Burt-come back" he called out Here's dollar for you, wheth- CT you go into the old house with me or not I always like sailors; I've been with them many a voyage, though not much of sailor myself; and l don't want to offend an old salt like you."
 70, no offense. your honor; you're @ nice-spoken gentleman" said Tom. returning and pocketing the coin. II ought to tell you," Crawford continued, "t that Captain Willis was my best friend. was with him on his vessel when he was killed by the mutineers, and nearly lost my life in trying to defend him. could show you wounds clear through my chest. not yet healed, that I got from the knives of the mutineers that night"
 The under-jaw of MT. 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 enough yet for so enthusiastic greet ing.
 "Wcll, 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, or her pretty darter2"
 'Tll tell you, Tom. You're the only AA0AA w SoO AOAO oA ACAC yCC WAO promises me any help; and want to 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 that house, and the stories of it's being haunted; but he did not believe a word of it."
 Not believe. 1t, sir! Why he told them yarns himself, all over town"
 ''He told me that, too; but he did that for certain purpose. may tell the people here what it was, some day.'
 "Capt'n Willis not believe the house was spooky" the sailor repeated, dwelling upon the incredible fact. ''Why, he came back to it himself aft. CT he was dead! Mrs. Willis and her da'ter saw him."
 You're certainly wrong there, my old friend. Both of them tell me that they saw nothing of the kind.''
 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 delusions 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 night-and screechins-and hidg. eous laflin-and pistolsr'
 ''To be sure they did. Tom; and ] know who made all that disturbance. Ihavo fully satisfied both these ladies that they were most cruelty and brutally imposed upon by a black hearted scoundrel, for his own crim. ,inA ends. If the ladies come back here next summer, as they may, Vt shall probably have to make the whole curious story public, so as to clear thu house of its bad name."
 Tom stared at the speaker in blanl and hopeless incredulity.
 1.-The fact seems to be-" Crawfort continued. ''that houses arc very mucl like dogs in the proverb. Only giv' one a bad name-and it will stick