Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1894-02-10
THE GHOST.

from the little town Of B., and al
most midway between the two points
above lay the old Sharp farm, desolate
and run to weeds, simply because the
owner, for reasons hereafter to be given,
was forced to content himself from year
to yesr with the grazing IL 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.
Qusntly called by reason Of an unfortu-
nAts physical deformity, known to the
doctors. believe. as equino-varus, and
commonly ~ clubfoot, had taken Q mo-
tion few years before TO hang himself
70 . rafter In the old barn, and by that
littls oct had completely ruined the rep
utation Of ono OF tbs best and most fer
tia holdings in the country.
From whatever source originated.
weird and uncanny stories soon began
10 circulate respecting the old home
Stead. the purport Of which were that
poor old Lame Jake, who had been 10
impatient 10 get out Of the world, was
now equally anxious 70 get back, but
having foolshly disposed OF his carnal
covering to crafty the within Of an idle
moment, be WINS now compelled In ne
visiting thus the glimpses Of the moon,
To restrict himself to such hours and
plAkes ~ the native modesty Of any
proper minded ghost would be most apt
10 suggest
Many and marvellous were the legends
which the "auld slashersr OF the coun-
Try, as the Great Antiquary would call
them, were in the habit Of relating 10
such Juvenile and feminine ears rs were
most readily captivated thereby; and
many and many night have seen my
sistar and younger brothers go to bed
with eyes like saucers after an evenings
ssancs with one Of these raconteurs.
But, a. the New Light Of Asia has Il,
that Ia another story.
One tenant Of the place had fifty bush
eis Of wheat carefully winnowed one
night, old Jake being distinctly seen by
. 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 while he
WAS congratulating himself that these
visitations promised TO be OF Brownie
rather than of n 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-
coedings 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
IL into his pneumatic head 10 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 disgracefully fred
out Of bed by some invisible agency.
windows and crockery were smashed,
bells rung at midnight, and ON one oc-
casion his wife had the wits nearly
frightened out OF her by finding her
lord sleeping one 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 tho effect OF limit
ing his occupancy OF the Sharp messuage
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 se-
curely stalled began about midnight to
raise most terrific uproar, and IL not
promptly liberated would invariably
thrash down the stable door and be
found next morning huddled together
in the farthest corner Of the pasture.
Frequently one would be found bearing
the marks Of the saddle and other evil
dences Of q severe night journey, al
though IN such instances, In Justice 10
old Jake, the fact that one Of the boys
was counting n squire's daughter I'm
neighboring county may have borne
some relation to the phenomenon.
Weird lights burning through the
chinks of the barn and abont the prem.
ises were so common to the neighbors
that when the boys and girls happened
TO be belated at dance. husking or
an apple pairing they told their parents
they came home by the light OF old
Sharp's lantern.
! am not going In this age Of divided
zkirts and long distance telephones 10
put myself ON record a. the man that
saw Jake Sharp's ghost; but what did
see end hear the night slept in that
old Darn-well, I'm going to tell you
about Il.
had been 10 b. and was returning
somewhat late. The night was dark
and ktariess, and the faint flashes of
lightning which began IN the west kept
increasing la frequency aud brilliancy
behind me till. Just as the old Sharp
gables doomed up from the blackness be-
foro me. the storm ! had been appre-
hsnding burst npcn me like the opening
e q watsrsPoas-
Newer before had | sean such down.
kAll. Tho rain descended In one solid
sheet, and the earth fairly shook with
The continuous roll Of tho thunder. The
HxhtaizR was fierce and vivid.
finder Tho s.1rhs1f.. etax.ccs flsra s.vno