The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-04-04

ours, over IN Jersey, from
WHOM We never expected a dollar, was
dead, and had left us the bulk Of his
NJ property, including his country house.
There was another nephew who had
always lived with Uncle 81. and ex-
pected to be his heir; but he was a
thoroughly bad fellow, and the old
imam. after trying in vain to reform
him. cut him off with a few hundred
dollars.
When I reached home and told Sue,
she could hardly believe the good
news.
"Oh, Charleyw she cried. 'ff it is
true. we can stop this endless paying
rent. and have a home of u own at
last!"
sit certainly is true" I replied. eve
can take possession of our country
seat as soon as we like. There is only
pne small drawback"
"Well. what is it, Charley" =
"It's a ghost, my dearw!
ga ghost? What do you mean"
"The neighbors declare that, ever
since Uncle 81 died, strange lights
have been seen in the house, odd
noises heard, and a white-robed ghost
known to wander about the premises"
"How absurd!' cried Sue.
"You know I can't give up my city
business, and, if we do 60 there to live,
you and Sarah will be left much alone,
and" y,
ell answer for Sarah" declared Sue.
"She is not afraid of the world. the
flesh, nor the-other fellow! Neither
nm I. when she's around"
Sarah was our servant, a grim old
maid from way down East. ugly, but
possessing all the spirit of her stout
hearted ancestors.
81 don't doubt Sarah's ability to
Scare anything mortal" I remarked,
aryly. But when it comes to 4
ghost"
"When will you take me to see the
place" inquired Sue, interrupting me
d second time.
whenever you please. Tomorrow,
If you like" 1 answered.
"The sooner the better" decided Sue.
FWe'll go tomorrow
So over to Jersey we went the next
day, and drove out to our new inherit
ance. 1t was really a fine property,
but sadly out Of repair. We concluded
Ito take possession at once. and, on our
WAY home, stopped in the village near
by to engage workmen to put things
6n order.
We heard stories Of the ghost from
all Of them. One said he wouldn't
five there if they'd give him the farm;
another refused to go at all unless he
had company: and the third was sure
That bad luck would attend anybody
who tried to stay in that house.
I was rather sorry that Sue should
hear all this; but she, like a sensible
girl. advised that We should not be
influenced by any such silly stories.
Besides, she added. if these things
really were seen and heard. there must
be some natural cause for them, which
I'VE would try to discover and put an
end to.
I praised her for being such a brave
little soul. and promised to buy her a
revolver with which to defend her.
self. II don't know that you could
shoot a ghost, if you saw one" 1 said,
laughingly, "but it will be handy to
have, anyhow"
Il will use it, rest assured, if his
ghostship appears to me" returned
Sue.
Just as we drove away from the
shop where we had engaged Il carpen-
ter, q ~well-dressed man with a hand
some, wicked face, passed by, and
<-gave me such a scowl as he glanced at
!! me. that I asked Mr.. Jackson who he
was.
That's your rival, the nephew old
Isl Hascomb threw over" he an
bwered. Joe Hascomb is a hard
lease. I'm afraid you'll find him your
enemy when you come here"
"But it's no fault Of ours that he lost
The property. l shall not interfere
with him unless he bothers me; in
which case he'll be apt to wish he
hadn't"
Charley, I am afraid he will do you
some harrS" said Sue, anxiously, as
I'VE drove on. "He has such a wicked
c~ountenance."
Nonsense" I replied, laughing al
her fears. "Wby, you dread him more
fears. "Why, you dread him more
Rhsp ynr dn the shaStr