The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-04-28
Laid a Ghost
And Found a Thief

Half way up the mountain side looking
down upon the valley of the Cumberland
many years ago, stood a country inn, ia
nous for the goodness of its cheer and
the heartiness of its host, Clephas Cootc
by name.
In the summer of 1850 the Mountain
Home--so the inn was called-had more
than it's usual quota of visitors, one of
whom HAD come to die. After few days
he kept his room and in a few more had
breathed his last.
When the strangers trunk was opened
(which was done Dy the landlord in the
presence of two of his guests-one doc
tor, the other "a clergyman-at least we
took him for such on the strength of his
cravat and conversation it was found to
contain considerable sum of bank notes.
OF these Mr.. Coote made complete list,
after which he completely sealed them
up aud locked them away i'll a drawer in
his own bed room--facts to which he
likewise called the attention of the doc
tor and the minister.
On the evening of the funeral the con-
versation took serious turn.
From death the transition was easy to
the subject OF departed spirits and their
status. And here AN animated discussio On
sprang up between the doctor and the
clergyman.
Whatever may or maynt be-" inter-
posed our worthy host, there's one thing
some of you may have reason to believe
in before you leave these parts.
Whats that" ventured to ask
The Man of the Mountain, " Mr.. Coote
answered.
''And who is he?"
CHATS the question. l can only tell
YOU what | saw of him; others may de-
scribe him differently. 1t was early one
morning as l stood on spur of the
mountain looking down into the valley
that | saw at a d stance frightful object
in human shape, at least forty feet
high
''Oh, Mr.. Coote!' screamed the ladies.
Its every word true and can bring
twenty witnesses Who'll tell a similar
story
Well, what did you dor" some one in
"What any sensible man would" said
Mr. Coote.
1t was plain our host was not joking;
and all felt convinced that he thought he
had seen what he said he had
There is still II dash of superstition
even in the most skeptical, is saying as
true as trite. | doubt if any one ever
slept quite AS comfortably in "a chamb Der
reputed to be haunted. Mr. Coote's &C
count, it was easy to see, made deeper
impression than any of us would have
cared to own, and there is reason to be-
lieve that more than one inmate of the
Mountain home went to sleep that night
with their heads covered.
| had lain for some time musng on Mr..
Coote's curious statement and had Just
fallen asleep when | was aroused by
shot, followed by a succession of screams
Springing from the bed and opening
the door, | ran in the direction of the
sounds, which led me straight to Mr.. and
Mrs. Cootes chamber.
Before | had time to ask what was the
matter. half the dodgers had appeared on
the scene and Mr.. Coote, lamp in hand
and followed by his spouse-both pale
and trembling-rushed INTO the hallway.
1.-The ghost! the ghost! - the pair ex-
claimed together.
"The ghost what ghost?" queried all
the spectators at once.
1.-The dead mans ghost!" cried poor
Coote, in Il voice shaken with terror, I'VE
had gone to sleep with our lamp burning,
mother and I. Mothers light sleeper.
The least noise wakes her. | might have
dozed through it. if she hadn't nudged
me. When | woke, she was all in a
tremble and too frightened to speak. She |
motoned toward the bureau where the |
dead mans money was, and sure enough.
there he stood in his winding sheet. his |
face pale and CHASTITY as we saw it in his |
coffin. He then took the key
lTOHlf my pOCkct, VI DrOuSuI announcer |
coffin He had either taken the key in |
his own; for at once he proceeded to I'M |
lock the drawer and take out the packet |
of money, after which he passed out, and |
mother and gave the alarm as soon as
were we able
The first idea of those self-possessed |
enough to have any, was that a skillful |
robbery had been committed. and that it |
might not be too late to discover the |
thief Lights were procured and an i'm |
mediate search begun. The first object |
found was the skeptical doctor. standing |
in the passage. shivering and speechless.
His eyes were fixed as if spell-bound on |
the door of the chamber lately occupied |
by the dead man.
What's the matter doctor?'' FASTENED |
to ask.
1T was not until the question had been |
several times repeated that an answer was |
given.
Has no one else seen it?" he at length |
commanded strength to utter.
Seen WHAT"
1.-The ghost"
Being questioned further. the doctor
made a revelation that indeed was pas sing
stran~c. He had retired 10 his room hut