Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1899-02-02
STORY OF THE SPOOKERU
ny MRS. NJ. coRBEr-sEYMouR.

Spook being the Flemish word for
ghost, it will be seen at once that [
am going to tell the story of house
given up to that very unpopular kind
of tenant.
The visitor to West Flanders will
mot find the Spookerij without little
painstaking. 1t stands far back from
the road running between the ancient
city of Bruges and the modern water
ing place of Blankenberghe. 1t will
be reached by first following the
-course Of the canal and then as sud-
denly abandoning it for a short cut
across several potato and cabbage
fields.
The Spookerij is not colored, ac-
eording to local custom, either a pale
green, boiled shrimp ,or light blue
tint it is only dirty white. A low
pitched, rambling dwelling it is Just
four or five rooms on the ground floor,
the same on the floor above, and a
grenier at the top. In England it
would be little farmhouse in Elan
ders it ranks as chateau-or it did so
rank before the spooks came into pos
session.
We, who were old residents, knew
il as Chateau Rosendael. Nowadays,
should chance visitor pass that way
and make inquiries he will be told
that it is the Spookerij.
The tall, spare form of an English
man named Geoffi ey Langdale used to
be seen in the garden which separated
the house from the fields that sur
round it upon three sides, but only
9-nr- sur set. He did not COW. H.
sunshine; 1t WAS hUt ,-ou the house
by venetian blinds DUNG spring and
summer.
The two elderly servants who were
Nj Langdales sole attendants said
chat ''the Master shut himself up
with his books for companions, and
only came forth into the air for an
hour or so of an evening and in all
weathers.
Why he had chosen to expatriate
himself and settle in this solitary
corner of West Flanders, no one pre-
tended to know. Every one was at
liberty to hazard a guess, but there
was absolutely no means of ascertain
ing if such a guess was right.
Therefore it was settled that Geof-
frey Langdale had reasons Of his own
for loving this absolute retirement,
and would never probably reveal what
those reasons might be- After renting
the place for one year, he purchased
it at very low price.
The servants, mau and wife. frankly
admitted having taken the situation
for the sake of the high wages offered;
otherwise they would have preferred
lite in England
They knew nothing whatever of Mr..
Langdale's previous history; they an
swered an advertisement which had
appeared in the Daily Telegraph, and
at subsequent interview the matter
was arranged.
I.etters-so they said when ques
tioned never came for Mr.. Langdale
In a general way; there was always
one, however, which arrived upon the
dfth day of every month, and bore the
london postmark.
After its receipt, Coulson or his
wife were sent with a check to the
English bank which has existed 10,
many long year in Brugce tos the
convenience of residents Gpd passing
visitors.
There was no stint in the domestic
arrangements of the little household
but neither was there any extraya
gance Godfrey Langdale was himsel
an abstainer and very frugal eater
ne did not entertain guests and he
never gave anything in charity. Some
money slipped through his fingers il
she purchase of books, for he was
continually adding to his library
otherwise, Coulson could not imagine
what he did with those monthly
checks.
Not that these servants were spe
sally given TO gossip concerning thei
master; indeed, there was but LITTLE
chance Of it in a country where the.
could not speak more than a word o.
two of the language.
But on market days, in Bruges
Mrs. Coulson had some chance of con
versation in one or other shop where
English is spoken; her husband, also
had Just few intimates in the tow
with whom to exchange few harmless
condolences. In this way, then, som,
OF the peculiarities of Godfrey Lang
dale became known.
Two or three of his compatriot
g1lueked up the courage to call on him
but to all guests entrance seeme'
strictly prohibited. Coulson coul'
only shake his gray head regretfully