The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-02-03
& <
| The Hermit
M A Story Of the Wilderness II
y By CHARLES CLARK MUM y
Author Of Pocket Island. Uncle Terry"
and Rockhaven."
Copyright. 1903. by Lee aud shepard,
CHAPTER xxX11I.
HALLOWEEN.

him, and nightly dread of another
spectral visitation. became more and
more apparent He had-thanks to
Aunt Comforts nursing-recovered
from the first shock and brain fever.
Aunt Lorey and the wife of one of his
workmen now kept house for him, for
he was willing to pay any price for
company, but for all that he failed
rapidly. Old age was also against him.
He could not eat or sleep, and long
hours of each night were passed in
nervous dread of something The
grist-mill was closed and had remained
SO since that fatal night, for every
one considered it haunted; but the
force of long habit kept David pot
tering about the sawmill each day, and
would as long as sufficient strength
lasted.
Meier also renewed his prosecutions
after recovering from the fright occa-
stoned by his ghostly Indian masque-
rade, and though intermittent, they
aided in the merciless retribution now
pursuing David. These acts were all
peculiar and mysterious, and quite like
Meier. With a strain of Indian blood
in him. perhaps, he had never forgot
ten or forgiven that moment of agony
when he leaped into network OF
barbed wire. and, with diabolical cun-
ming, meant to obtain ample reveng sc.
Once or twice week he visited Daviu's
premises by night and added one more
mite to it. Tools were again taken
from the sawmill and thrown into the
flume or transferred to the unused
grist-mill. Pieces of belts, bags, meas
ures, and other fittings from there
were hung on trees about the house..
On two occasions the grist-mill ga;,,
was raised and millstones set rumbing,
while David listened with fcarsonc
dread, and then, to crown all, Meier
rugged a tick-tack over the house. He
used a long fish-line for that, one end
secured to bush back of the house,
with lead sinker tied on at suitable
location, another larger one fastened
to the other end OF the line, enablinr
Meier to throw it over the house and
secure 1t again, hide himself behind
fence, and dangle the mid-linc plum
met against the roof.
What the effect of such a regular
tick-tack sound heard by one In Davids
state of mind at the midnight hour
would be, can hardly he imagined
For the first two or three times he
aroused and sent his hired man out
with lantern, but naturally that
availed not except to stimulate Meier
to a longer enjoyment Of his tricii
when the foolish search ended. Tine
and again did Meier perpctrato this
weird trick, always on dark nights, ant,
| after an hour of fun, secure his rggin.
for use again and sneak away. He wa;
like an Indian in his methods, select,
ing nights just right and not too
dark, stealing on to Da.id's premises
behind bush-cholied fences and keeping
out Of possible sight, listening wit 4
keen ears and eyes until sure no onl
was watching. and making his visits
with foxlike cunning.
David Curtis had lived his life of
miserly pinching and sharp schcmins
forgetting every law of justice and
honor in his erasping greed, had conc
to be despised by even his fellow
church members and mated by many
others. and now, pursued by an I'M
canny fear. growing weaker day by
day, was fast nearing insanity. What
1t was that haunted his premises lie
knew not. He .crept to his work, n
physical and mental wreck, dared not
go into his own cellar or the dark base
ment of his mill even in the daytime,
and required his hirHl man to sleep in
his room at night
When the last of October and Hal
)owe'en came, he was little better than
doddering idiot from fear, and, sit
ting in his mill all day. watched his
man at work too weak to aid him.
And now came the climax of his
punishment.
Halloween had always been observed
by the young folks of Greenvale with
the usual and time honored ceremo-
mics. Several parties were usually
held, where apples, floating in tubs
OF water and secured If possible with
teeth and lips of maid or swain, formed
one amusement. If one was thus fishcd
for and obtained, it was carefully pared
by it's proud owner, and its perfect
peel. tWirled three times around the
head and dropped, must inevitably
form the first initial of his or her FIJI.
ture mate. kissing games to accrl-
crate these results usually followed,
and later the parties broke up for other
and more ghostly amusemcnts
Small boys carried jack-o'-lantcrns
through the village, or held them in
front of windows; older couples or
small parties made a late tour, hang
ing cabbagcs or paper bags contain
Ing onions or potatoes on apor-knobs,
and then. changing the iron knockers.
scampercd away. Now and then some
holder lad, wrapped in sheet, stalkcd
through the quiet streets that night.
and all manner Of spoOkish pran's
were INDUCED in. Meier. as might he
expected, had always been an active
participant in these observances, and
now, when the famous night drew
near, he resolved to Guido himself.
He had kept his Oscar Face" disguise
in cafa 1iIipp onI Ind ~, f.,,,o ,,,,,