The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-27
I'LL.

1t was a changing day, half spring,
half winter, of many kinds of weather,
when the clock cleaner proposed to
take to pieces the clock. The cooper
had come over to the barn to hoop"
the water barrels.
The clock cleaner approached the
great clock case before breakfast on
that day and tried to open the door. He
found it locked.
He made inquiry for the key.
ALBERT must have it," said Mis- Over
field. "Fe will be back from town in
the course of the forenoon. He's gone
to market with ounces"
The clock cleaner tapped on the case
of the clock, and queer look came into
his face.
ut sounds hollow" said he; las hol-
low as an empty chest. None of the
family has been meddling with it, 1
hope. Hear that"
He struck the bullying part of the
great case.
There don't seem to be any works in
there"
He struck the case again and dropped
his hand and was silent.
After breakfast he procured some
walnuts and pressed out oil from their
meat.
There's nothing like walnut oil for
clock cleaning" said he, but it doesn't
seem to me that have here any clock
works to clean. The clock sounds as
hollow as a tomb
Toward noon Albert returned. The
clock cleaner went out to meet him as
the team drove into the yard.
Here" said he, 81 have been waiting
for you for hours. I cannot find the key
to the clock"
The young man turned red and shook
the reins nervously.
Clean the other clock first" said he,
land we will regulate the old one after
the folks have gone to bed. There are
times when one needs a friend. That is
my case now. Trust me now, and l will
tell you more tonight, when the house
is still"
"I heered you"
The voice seemed to come out of the
air. The words were spoken by bent
little woman gathering sticks.
There are times when that clock
turns human. I've seen Tiny rheuma-
tism all left me then-I flew and landed
on my bed in my chamber. There are
some things no mortal can stand
snakes and haunts and things. If you
are going to clean that clock tonight
after the people so to bed, I'll go to bed
early and shut my eyes under the bed
clothes, for there are times-beware
remember what 1 tell you, beware
there are times when that clock comes
to life"
The woman's familiar name was Lid
dy-'little Liddy" she was called-a
doer of all work. She filled her apron
with chips and gave a curious glance
at the clock cleaner, who was standing
where he had met Albert after the lat
ter had gone to the barn.
Saints and sinners" said she, 'if you
don't see sights tonight to make your
hair come off before morning. then lit
tie Liddy is no prophet. Mum is the
word. l have never told Mis- Overfeld
what I have seen-sights that might
scare the dead. Some folks think that
Liddy don't sense things right, and 1
guess they are not much mistaken"
They smiled at the way she had used
the words when Albert turned to the
clock cleaner.
She is superstitious, said he. He
lifted his finger and continued:
but the clock is hollow. l made it so
and keep it so. Don't ask me anything
more about it now. I will tell you when
you come around next year."
The little old woman rose, her apron
filed with chips and her head turning
hithcr and thither as in confusion of
ideas.
She approached the clock cleaner.
See here" said she. what have got
to tell you. Don't I look peaked? Well,
1 have good reason for 1t. Now I am
going to give you my candid opinion.
saw a soldier one night. He was dead.
He was taking the insides out of that
clock Why was he dead? Because. as
1 put things together, he was one of
those regulars that was shot from the
bullets made out of the old lead
weights. 1 can see double.
And now" she continued, they are
going to have all the folks come home
on Thanksgiving evening-aH but An
nie-and it is my opinion that she has
as good a right 10 come as any, for she