The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-09-05

ite with all the country people for
miles around, in spite Of his being NOR
bidly superstitious and firm believer
in spirit rapping, haunted houses and
ghosts.
Tins dearest friend, farmer John
Davis, or honest john" as he was
everywhere known, was always child
ing Timothy about his belief, or, as
John would put it. his "fooliShness.
Still, whenever they had an hour to
spare, they were sure to get together
and the talk always turned to ghosts
and spirit rappings.
All through the winter months they
were much together. 1t was Toms de-
s light to close his shop early and drive
to his friends house and spend the
long wintry evenings by the fire in
the farmhouse kitchen, expounding his
favorite views on spiritualism.
Although John Davis professed to
be an unbelieYer in spiritualism, and
was known as " honest John," he could
youch for more bloodcurdling ghost
stories and thrilling adventures than
any other man about the country; and
Tim was an earnest listener.
One of their most horrible tales, hor-
rible for true story was about a
haunted house, of course, haunted by
headless ghost. The old house still
stood in the neighborhood, but no llv-
ing being could occupy it, for when
h. or
pare the morning meal there always
appeared beside the kitchen stove
man without a head, but with
SCARED and bloody neck. 1t was most
horrible! There was only one cause
for such a ghost-murder.
Years ago, the story ran, a terrible
crime had been committed there;
most brutal murder it was, too.
simple, honest peddler, who merely
sought a nights repose beneath that
humble roof. had been beheaded with
an axe while awaiting his breakfast.
Then the fend who did the awful deed
escaped by stealing a horse from the
barn behind the house.
The years had come and gone and
the murderer had not been found, and
to this very day no one had yet been
able to live in that house, or even use
the barn. The horses stabbed in that
barn, no matter how securely fas-
tened, would become united during the
night by some mysterious hand, and
scamper wildly away, even when
strong ropes or heavy iron chains were
used.
John Davis had never fastened a
horse there himself, but his father,
who had been a very religious and just
man, had often tried to do so, in years
gone by; without avail.
Even Johns own mother, who had
been a noble Christian woman, had
actually seen the headless man sitting
beside the fire in that old haunted
house upon two different occasions,
and although John said he did not be-
lieye the tale himself. he always add
ed, when telling it:
"And fathers word was as good as
Bible truth" and Everybody knew
that mother could not Ie."
And Tim believed it all, and would
hardly have ventured home at night
if he had not kept his horse with him
to keep him company.
Now it happened that as these two
old men would often meet and tell
their tales, they sometimes had lis
tener, a young man who loved humor
Irnnnod n
thsir stories. His name was George
i Cowee He was slender youth with
much learning and refinement He
was nephew of Deacon Cowee,
wealthy farmer living short distance
from the Davis place.
He always agreed with Tim, but he
had no more faith in ''Tim's views
than John himself, but he liked Tim
and he liked to hear him talk. It
was very amusing.
The night before Christmas he hap
pened into Johns kitchen, and there
he found Tim, who, as usual, was tell
ing about 1.-The dead coming back" and
communicating with their friends by
rapping on tin pans" and As usual
John loS6gsdeclared It was all "bosh''
and nonsense"
Tim had just been down to the city,
where he had attended full f1edged
spiritual meeting, and he was strong
er than ever in his belief, and had
many wonderful things to relate.
When George Cowee arose to go that
night he said to them:
81 am going away tomorrow-out
west" Then he added mischievously,
slyly winking at John: Tim, if
am killed before I return 1 will let
you know it through the spirit. l
will rap on the head board Of your
bed at night. Spirits are always around
at night, and 1 shall rap very softly at
first, then louder than a bass drum,
so that you will know that it is I,
George Cowee, and no matter what
hour it is, you must hasten here to
Johns house and tell him. I am sure
that if he believes it he will at once
be converted to your views"
Just then an old clock upon the
kitchen shelf struck 10, and the young
man added:
'Ah, John, that you may also know
that 1 have passed away, I will ring
that clock. l will ring it for an hour,
and wake you and your wife up and
keep you awake the whole time"
George Cowee was only jesting, and he
smiled as he went west.
Weeks and months went by, and
nothing was heard from him.
1t was now the beginning of May.
AS there was much horse shoeing to
be done in the springtime, Tim was
kept very busy. John Davis was also
hard at work. One Tuesday, May 4,
John had plowed all day, and when
night came he was unusually tired,