Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1904-03-26
Magazine.

q - and Santa Maria mines, near
pinal, Mexico, we brought down from
"the States" our various goods and
chattes, and began the attempt to
make ourselves as comfortable as pos
sible in the huge, Spanish-buiIt house
which was the only thing in the way of
an abode that could be secured, for
love or money, in the very inconven-
lent new old town of Pinal.
At first | liked the queer, rambling
old house, with its wide, heavily pill
Jared corridors, thick walls, high
barred windows and enormous carved
doors. 1t had been built. according to
a half-effaced date, in the year 1908
and had been the habitat OF more than
enc famous man in it's time. But, even
after our modern furnishings were put
In, flowers and vines arranged about,
and everything possible done to bright
en- it, the house still had Il dreary
ghostly air about it, and one always
had the sensation that some one else
was abOut--some one unseen, but felt
and altogether there was an indie
scribabe eerie feeling about the pace
that did not tend to make one very
cheerful. However, l consoied myself
by remembering that big, old houses
generally make one nervous at first;
also, the rent was surprisingly low for
so large an establishment, with its fif-
teen rooms. corridors, and corral. And,
as one can get used to very nearly any
thing in this world, by trying hard, l
gradually got over the uneasy feeling
which l had mostly felt, when entirely
alone, and put it down to nerves"
There was the slight drawback, how
ever that we could not keep servants.
In spite of good wages. light work and
short hours, our servants would inva-
riably leave after two to five days
service, refusing, under any circum-
stances, to stop longer. They gave no
reason for this beyond the fact that
the situation was not to their liking.
So | could only pay them, and, with
indignant sorrow. view their departing
backs then fare forth in search of fur
Their criadas, inwardly consgning Mex
lean servants to a future which it
would be unladylike to put into bald
words.
In the midst of these turmoils, $50
eiety" with a big, big s. began, slowly
and carefully, to cali, and pleasantly
limited, in divers ways, that there was
something wrong about our house.
The leader Of Pinal society, Mrs.
Isaacstein, was the last to call. She
had at first been somewhat dubious
about visiting me. AS | have before
aid, she led Pinal society for her
husband was the principal grocer of
the place., and therefore she could not.
as she sweetly explained to me. be too
careful about "beobles she CALLED
ubon"
Waving, however, discussion Of this
excellent lady, for indeed she is IAN
other story" her statement during her
call that our house was said to be
haunted by evil spirits, and that we
would never be able to keep a servant
IN 1t, was somewhat dispiriting. In
vain did l inquire particulars. No, she
knew nothing beyond the fact that ser.
wants and "tradespeople" gave the
place bad name; that it was certainly
troubled by something, and that no one
ever lived long In it.
Here was a pretty mess! And, in
iced, as If in confirmation Of the WON.
, ans prediction, the very next day both
servants left, after they had been with
me four days, and l was on the point
OF beginning to expect better things OF
them. l sat down and wept. Then
ulsgusted with native servants, l hied
me forth and wired to the Border
ior a couple of old and well-tried Chi
nese servants, determined that would
not abandon my house. and live in no
tells, to please ghosts, Mexican servants
" any one else.
In due course the new servants ar
rived. One, a sturdy, taciturn Celes
uai rejoicing in the name of Ching
was TO act as porter, caretaker an(
e'leral watchdog-the ghost would
nave to be lively that could get ahead
ol Ching. Charley, his cousin. was OF
ue same ilk, being besides a splendid
COOK But explained matters duly
70 he two, and could have warbled fol
10Y over their derisive smiles anC
srunts when timidly alluded t.
ghosts and limited that they nigh
oe disturbed by mysterious sights O
sounds.
ana DOW did I begin to be acquaint