The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1908-10-29

street, yet convenient to the cars, its
rooms were commodious and well
| heated and Mrs. Todd was the soul
| of cleanliness. The dodgers, too,
were in keeping with the house-a
married couple. a retired school
teacher, one or two working women
and several pleasant-spoken young
| young men, who made little unneces.
sary noise and paid their rent prompt
| ly. All in all. fortune had smiled on
Mrs. Todd since, in early widowhood,
she had taken this lodging house as
means of livelihood Yet there was
one grain of anxiety in her cup of
| happiness.
"Three-hights-fr at the top of
the house. was, to all appearances.
most desirable room. All day long the
sun shone into it and its windows
gave pleasant outlook across the
chimney pots of the houses opposite
1t had new carpet and very tidy cur
tains, but, despite these attractions,
"three-fiights-front' was seldom occu-
pied for any length of time
Various young men had rented II,
and once a young woman had stayed
In 1t for nearly three weeks. In each
case, however, the lodger had decided
to change quarters rather suddenly.
and had sought out Mrs. Todd and
more or less haltingly and shame
facedly had given his reason for leav-
ing. The landlady was sure, from
their actions, that they preferred to
keep the real reason to themselves,
though what 1t might be she was I'M
able 10 surmise. Many times when
the room was vacant she herself had
occupied II for a night, but nothing
occurred to disturb her in the least
After the ninth occupant had paid
his rent in the middle of the week
and departed, bag and baggage, she
decided to sift the matter thoroughly.
To this end she moved up to the
front room at the top of the house,
prepared to meet ghost or demon, or
whatever 1t was that was depriving
an honest woman of the rent of
good room, One morning, two weeks
later, she moved down again, rather
white and shaken.
u shall never sleep In that room
again" she said to Jane, her maid of
all work, and as she would not dis
cuss the matter further, 1t was
dropped.
Thereafter, when, prospective lodg-
ers applied to her. II no other room
was vacant, Mrs. Todd would say:
II have one, three-fights-front, but
really don't believe you want it,"
and generally this was sufficient to
send them away.
One day there came brisk young
man, and as the ill-starred room was
the only one she had, Mrs. Todd made
her usual response to his inquiry
The young man happened to be of the
persistent type. He inquired the
price and other particulars and ended
by asking TO see the room He seemed
quite satisfied with it. In fact, he SO
expressed himself in no uncertain
terms. Mrs Todd hesitated
Before you take it," she said, II
must tell you there's something-well,
queer about it,"
"Ghost?" said the young man, cheer
fully. "If that's it I'd like to meet
him"
Mrs Todd shook her head.
Not exactly that" she said "Stin
something decidedly unpleasant"
"Pshaw," said he. there's nothing
unpleasant about this room," and he
handed out weeks rent
In this way John Knox, medical
student, began his occupancy of Mrs.
Todds "three,flights-front" A week
two weeks-went past. and nothing
unusual occurred Tuesday of the
third week. Knox raped on the parlor
door. Mrs. Todd's face wore an anx-
ious expression as he entered.
I've found IT," he said. laconically.
What" exclaimed Mrs Todd, "nots
the-the Noise?"
Yes answered Knox, tersely as
usual, gas globe!"
We'll, declared" said the land
lady. Il never could locate it. How
often have you heard it?"
Twice" he replied First time |
heard 1t was night before last II
started up that internal drone about
ten. Hunted all round before ! could
place it, Can't account for it. Can
you?"
Mrs. Todd shook her head help.
lessly.
AT it again last night" Knox con. !
tinued Il shut off the gas and stuffed |
the globe with absorbent cotton. That /
stopped IT, Then / got curious and |
took il out. Every time | unloaded the |
cotton, off it would 80 like the whine |
OF a cello. Sometimes ii swelled and |
sometimes ii sank. Deuced If | could |
lind out what made ii. I'm not a bit
superstitious but I'll tell you frankly |
somehow don't enjoy H."
Again Mrs. Todd shook her head.
She half expected him to pay his
rent and leave, as the rest had done.
But Knox was of a different caliber |
ana said
I'm buy another globe and see if
il makes any difference"
Mrs. Todd frightened up