Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-05-13
HIRAM HAYBATTLE'S GHOST

| No one would nave ever lHOuSnt thdl
Hiram Haybattle was man who had
played a leading part in romantic
tragedy, but he had, and the marks OF
II were still on him, though they were
in his heart and invisible.
He was a bachelor of Sc years, and
was really most exemplary person,
besides being 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 abstemious and quiet
habits, with red hair and herhGps two
dozen large-sized freckles, most OF
them on his capacious nose, but several
OF his pink fuzzy cheeks, as If they
had lodged there transit. His eyes were
blue, with a wistful waiting look, as
if-but | am anticipating my story
Hiram occupied a lonely house on a
small eminence overlooking the main
street Of the town i'm which he was
prominent citizen; and this house had
come down to him as the heir OF the
third generation of Haybattles. In
all PREVIOUS years 1t had been lonely
house, and as soon as Hiram came In
to possession he determined to change
It's entire character, and to make it the
scene OF such gayeties as he could
con mand. incidentally there were
runners ahoat that tne house was
haunted, and the youthful and irrever-
ent were wont to poke fun at Hiram
ha'nt" and offer to go to the house and
sit up Of nights with It. Possibly there
might have been strange noises about
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 MOI
for sale, neither was It for rent, and
there were more than few persons
who would have taken 1t off Hiram's
hands at any moment If he had been
disposed to accept such relief.
AS n rule. ghosts under these circum-
stances have not much use for hou Sc,
and ordinarily vacate 1t without eject
ment proceedings. Whether Hiram's
ghost LEFT or remained there were
rumors still unoat that Hiram was on
terms with "ha'nt," but it was in
no wise to his discredit
Living in the town adjoining Hi
rams was Miss Melssy 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 3S. But not such a
SO as we are ordinarily accustomed
to was Miss Meggs' 3S. II was abso-
lutely lacking in any Of the character
istics of giddiness incidental t1 that
time of life among single persons,
and when on one of the occasions or
Mr. Hayhattle's visits he cam. up to
her house Miss Meggs owned n most
comfortable property and was cores
pondingly looked up to in the com
munity, though of course. 50 en-
emplary q woman would have been
anyway -wMstling Rory O'More,
end wearing u flower in his button
hole, Miss Meggs was so overcome that
she felt compelled to tell the house
girl to inform Mr.. Haybat'le 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 woman to live when pruvi-
dence had no doubt intended that 1t
should he Otherwise
As for Hiram, he thoroughly adored
Miss Melis<y. lie had met her two
years before he came into possession OF
his own house during visit she was
making to some friends OF hers IN
llram's town, and down deep into his
| hitherto unimpressed soul there grew
firm and unyielding determination
to make MeliSsy Meggs the mistress OF
| the Hayhatte mansion rs soon as II
should be his He WIS quite well
aware that Miss Mcpgs was not u wo-
man OF the world, nor was she gay and
frivolous, and because Of the lack of
those q alities did Hiram admire her,
for he felt of,cntimes that he was
reckless and roliCking and unless he
were balanced there vas no telling
what might happen
4 mcnth after lliram had ~ wed into
the old house he was ready to 90 and
ask Miss MeggS to become Mrs Hay
hattle, ard he felt rs bunvant rs y
bird, for Hram's conscience was clear
and his hope was Nf"h The last time
he had seen Miss Meegs she had asked
hin, many questions about his future
home and would he lease Il or sell Il
or occupy II himself Miss MeGcs was
about to say as bachelors hall. but she
he'h0ught herself "a time and was
saved from the shock OF sueh a speech
Whether Miss Meggs had ever heard
Of Hiram's ghost or not does not ap
pear. but II Is true that she had never
referred tc II in any manner. II is, oi
course, more thsn likely thai she had
heard of II, for there must he somethins
Wrt rs with the woman In smsl
community who doesn't know every
| thipp In n and certainly thars u.a IN Z