Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-04-09
THE GHOST.

Ny miners farm was fully eleven
miles. over . lonely and deserted road,
from the little town Of B., and al
most midway between the two points
above lay The old Sharp farm, desolste
and run ~ weeds. simply because the
owner. for reasons hereafter 10 be given,
was forced TO content himself from year
b year with the grazing 1t afforded his
cattle and the few meager loads OF hay
saved from the neglected meadows.
The former proprietor. old Jacob
Sharp. or Lame Jake, as he was more fire.
quently called by reason Of an unfortu-
nate physical deforrity, known 10 the
doctors, believe, as equino-varus, and
commonly as ciubfoot, had taken q no
ton few years before to hang himself
To rafter IN the old barn. and by that
little act had completely ruined the rep
utation OF one OF the best and most fer
tile holdings IN the country.
From whatever source originated,
weird and uncsnny stories soon began
~ circulate respecting the old home
stead, the purport Of which were that
poor old Lame Jake, who had been SO
impatient To get on. of the world, was
now equally anxious 10 get back, but
having foolishly disposed of his carnal
covering to crafty the whim Of an idle
moment, he was now compelled in re-
Waiting thus the glimpses Of the moon.
10 restrict himself to such hours and
places as the native modesty Of any
proper minded ghost would be most apt
TO suggest.
Many and marvellous were the legends
which the ''auld slashers" OF the coun-
Try. AS the Great Antiquary would call
them, were In the habit of relating to
such juvenile and feminine ears as vera
most readily captivated thereby; and
many and many night have l seen my
sister and younger brothers go TO bed
with eyes like saucers after an evenings
seance with one of these raconteurs.
But, as the New Light of Asia has it,
that is another story.
One tenant Of the place had fifty bush
els Of wheat carefully winnowed one
night, old Jake being distinctly seen by
a member of the family, whom the noise
Of the mill had aroused, standing in the
time honored white nightgown and
surrounded by blush halo, industri-
ously turning the crank; but vi lille he
was congratulating himself that these
visitations promised to be of Brownie
rather than of Goblin character the
next night, outrageous to relate, the
winnowed wheat was just as carefully
mixed with an equal quantity Of rye
from another bin. the scandalous pro-
ceedings being celebrated with Hastings
Of light, the most outlandish racket and
discordant peals Of unearthly laughter
These financial losses and annoyances,
while bad enough In their way, might
still have been struggled against for
some time had not his ghostship taken
% into his pneumatic head to begin a
series OF domiciliary visits threatening
more directly the unfortunate mans
personal peace and welfare.
A bright glare, emanating from some
particular room, would convey to the
startled inmates the idea that the house
was in flames; and rush being made
thither the light would disappear in an
instant. TO the accompaniment of loud
groans and laughter, rafting of fur
niture and pattering of ghostly footsteps
down the Railways.
Frequently the farmer during sleep,
usually when most worried, would find
himself suddenly and disgrscefully fired
out of bed by some invisible agency;
windows and crockery were smashed,
bells rung at midnight. and on one oc-
casiou his wife had the wits nearly
frightened out OF her by finding her
lord sleeping ono morning by her side.
his hands folded on his breast and two
pennies placed in orthodox fashion over
his eyes
These happenings. the reader will
easily conceive. had the effect Of limit
ing his occupancy of the Sharp nessuage
strictly TO the period of his lease, and
some three or four others who succeeded
him made equally short stays.
Others complained most of the trouble
they had with their cattle. Horses Sc
curely stalled began about midnight to
raise most terrific uproar, and if not
promptly liberated would invariably
thrzsh down the stable door and be
found next morning huddled together
IA the fsrthsst corner OF the pasture
Frequently one would be found bearing
the marks of the saddle and other evil
dences Of . severe night journey. al
though IN ssch instances, in justice to
old Jake. the fact that one of the boys
wa counting q squire's daughter in a
neixhboring coenty may have borne
come relation to the phenomenon.
Weird lights burning through the
ehinks Of the barn aud about the prem
ises were so common to the neighbors
that when the boys and girls happened
90 b belated at dance. = husAing or
an apple pairing they told their parents
they came home by the light OF old
Shsrp's lantern
am not going IN this age Of divided
skfN and long distance taleDhones 10