The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1891-11-21

sick and nervous and it made her very un-
happy, and have not a doubt that it has.
tened her death. John was wrapped up
in Sarah; any one could see that. He was
kindness itself to her. II nearly broke his
heart when she died. Bad as felt my
self felt sorrier for him. IT'S awful
TO see strong man so unstrung
Every one mourned for Sarah bu'
Lyddy. 1t never seemed to me she cared
much.
We'll, one morning, about year after
Sarah died, John Came down to breakfast
looking so haggard and white that was
frightened. | asked him what was the
matter. He shook his head, out wien we
were alone he told Lie that he could not
sleep the night before, so he got up and
lighted his pipe and sat by the open win.
dow smoking. There was DO light in the
room, but the moon had just risen from
behind the hills. He felt a presence near
him, and, turning, saw Sarah in her grave
clothes with the baby in her arms. She
came quite near him and said:
"'J Jim, dear. | want you to marry
Lyddy, and then she vanished.
"Why, said John to me, Il can I marry
Lyddy; | never can marry any one.
udl WAS Iut VI Jul tiooo'-'
After that there was scarcely a night that
we did not have some manifestation OF
Saran's spirit lowering over us. We all
heard strange sounds, rapplngs, sad music
OF baby crying. Neighbors passing the
house late at night would tell OF seeing
light either in he garret or In the cellar.
II was more often in the cellar.
"Once Sarah herself came to me. Mrs.
IN hpr
but could not speak. She went on:
1T was just after sunset one 'ummer
evening. Our we'll in the back yard was
low. and had taken my basket OF hne
white clothes down to the spring IN tho
meadow to rinse them. You know where
the spring is-at the foot of the slope.
near the pine grove? 1t was lovely
evening. The sky was bright with tn
colors Of sunset, but the pines looked dark
and lonesome. | remember thinking 50
'as spread the things on the grass. | had
Just finished and was taking up my empty
basket when, just as plain as | see yon
this minute, beheld Sarah and her baby
Just in the edge of the grove. She waved
her arm toward the house and said John
Lyddyr and disappeared
"Of coure all these things made great
deal of talk in the village, and many wild,
exaggerated stories were told.
"a party of men from the village came
one night to investigate. The minister
was with them, so we let them in. They
began at the garret and went through the
house. The minister led the search, and
he was standing on the cellar stairs, half
way down, and little above him, when
in the cornor of the dark cellar flashed
that curious light. Only for an instant,
and though we waited a long time it did
not come again.
The minister came no into tue yard
and told the others. While they were
talking of it in hushed whispers standing
in groups about the yard, Sarah appeared,
with her baby still held closely in her arms
and ,lided among the group almost touch
ing them and disappeared as mysteriously
as she came.
This was the last time she ever appear
ed, but nearly every one believed after
that night. Until last night heard moth
ing for several years"
We sat in silence long while after she
had finished. Then said:
Where is John now, and Liddy?'
After that night John went to sea. We
did not hear from him till a year ago lie re-.
turned. He is now master of large vessel
thst carries granite from here to New York
We expect him every day Liddy never
married. She has lived right here. JON
went to see her when he came home.
Everyone except me seems to have forgot
ten about Sarah's spirit. Lyddy is away
somewhere now on visit.
thanked her for telling me the story,
bade her goodnight and went to bed to
dreamof this strange romance in real life.
When came from school few days
tier Mrs. Blaire met me at the door
greatly excited.
John has comet she exclaimed. "anl
and Lyddy. They are married-werc
married the night we heard the music.