Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-05-13
HIRAM HAYBATTLE'S GHOST


played a leading part in romantic
tragedy, but he had, and the marks of
it were still on him, though they were
in his heart and invisible
He was a bachelor of Sc years, and
was really a most exemplary person,
besides being a deacon in his church
and the owner Of a quite a tidy little
bit Of well-paying property, quality
which is never overlooked in religious
and moral communities. He was a
nan of most abste1nious and quiet
habits, with red hair and herkaps two
dozen large-sized freckles, most Of
them on his capaciCus nose, but several
or his pink fuzzy cheeks, as if they
had lodged there transit. His eyes were
blue, with a wistful waiting look, as
if-but I am anticipating my story
Hiram occupied a lonely house on a
small eminence overlooking the main
street Of the town in which he was a
prominent citizen; and this house had
come down to him as the heir of the
third generation Of Haybattles. In
all previous years it had been a lonely
house, and as soon as Hiram came in
to possession he determined to change
its entire character, and to make it the
scene Of such gayetieS as he could
con mand. incidentally there were
rumors afioat that t1e house was
haunted, and the youthful and irrever-
ent were wont to poke fun at Hiram S
ha'nt' and offer to go to the house and
sit up of nights with it. Possibly there
the old house, for few houses pass
through three generations which are
not entitled to such privileges, but
Hiram never let these small eccentrici-
ties disturb him. The house was not
for sale, neither was it for rent, and
there were more than a few persons
who would have taken it off Hiram's
hands at any moment if he had been
disposed to accept such relief.
AS a rule, ghosts under these circum-
stances have not much use for a house,
and ordinarily vacate it without eject
ment proceedings. Whether Hirams
ghost left or remained, there were
rumOrs still ahOat that Hiram was on
terms with a liant" but it was in
no wise to his discredit
Living in the town adjoining Hi
rams was Miss Melissy Meggs, wo
man in every way as exemplary as was
Hiram Haybattle as a man, and when
Hiram attained the age of 40 years
Miss Meggs was SO. But not such
SO as we are ordinarily accustomed
to was Miss Meggs' SO. It was abso-
Iutely lacking in any Of the character
istics of giddiness incidental to that
time of life among single persons,
and when on one of the occasions Of
Mr.. Haybattle's visits he came up to
her house-Miss Meggs owned a most
comfortable property and was CORES
pondingly looked up to in the COM
munity, though of course, 50 eX-
emplary a woman would have been
anyway-whistling Rory O'More,"
and Wearing a flower in his button
hole, Miss Meggs was so overcome that
she felt compelled to tell the house
girl to inform Mr.. Haybattle that Miss
Meggs was indisposed and would he
excuse her until after tea?
Yet Miss Meggs appreciated the
sterling qualities Of Mr.. Haybattle, and
she also realized that hers was lonely
life for a woman to live when provi-
dence had no doubt intended that it
should be otherwise.
AS for Hiram, he thoroughly adored
Miss Melissy. He had met her two
years before he came into possession Of
his own house during a visit she was
making to some friends Of hers in
Hiram's town, and down deep into his
hitherto unimpressed soul there grew
firm and unyielding determination
to make Melissy Meggs the mistress of
the Haybattle mansion as soon as it
should be his. He was quite well
aware that Miss Meggs was not a Wo-
man of the world, nor was she gay and
frivolous, and because of the lack Of
those qualities did Hiram admire her,
for he felt oftentimes that he was
reckless and rollicking. and unless he
were balanced there was nc telling
what might happen.
A month after Hiram had moved into
the old house he was ready to go and
ask Miss Meggs to become Mrs. Hay
battle, ard he felt as buoyant as a
bird, for Hiram's conscience was clear
and his hope was high. The last time
he had seen Miss Meggs she had asked
hin. many questions about his future
he me, and would he lease it or sell it
or occupy it himself-Miss Meggs was
about to say as bachelors hall, but she
| bethought herself IN time and was
saved from the shock of such a speech.
! Whether Miss Meggs had ever heard
I of Hiram's ghost or not does not ap-
pear, but it is true that she had never
referred tC it in any manner. 1t is, Of
course, more than likely that she had
! heard of it, for there must be something
wrong with the woman in small
| community who doesn't know every
! thing in it, and certainly there wasn't
anything wrong with Miss Melissv
| Meges.
As Hiram came up the walk to her
| house on this most suspicious visit OF
! his Miss Meggs from window watched
him from the gate until he stepped up
on the portico with its broidery of hon
! eysuckles, and she blushed furiously
when she turned and caught herself in
the mirror behind the back windows
OF the parlor looking at him. Not for
the world would Miss Me1issy MeggS