Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1910-12-09


of this matter, for it presents fascina.-
ing, but obscure, allied symptoms
which might put me on the track of
a discovery"
He had hardly concluded when
there came violent ring at the door
room.
Or. Brodsky," he began, 81 am q
reporter for the Wayne County Ga
zette, and | have been commissioned
to ask you for an interview concerning
the haunted house over at Turnerville
You have heard of the two deaths?"
Nothing beyond what your paper
contains" said Brodsky, picking up
the sheet.
That's two days DID," said
the reporter, glancing at it. The
young man died insane in the
hospital last night, just at
the time the second one was killed.
Another psychical investigator he
continued, volunteered to pass the
night in the menagerie and was found
with one side of his body crushed
completely in this morning. What do
you make of it?"
He had pulled out his pencil and
notebook, but Brodsky made no imme-
date reply. He stepped to a hook
where his hat hung and placed it up
on his head. Lets go and find out"
he answered.
ITO spend the night there?" gasped
the reporter.
IF you are willing"
"Willing?" the reporter cried. Just
wait till / telephone over to my ed
itor!"
few minutes later we were on
our way to the station to catch the
local. Inside the car the reporter
piled the Doctor with many questions,
to which Brodsky replied sympathet-
ically. The young man made copious
notes, but after a while ceased to
write and seemed to fall under the
spell of Brodsky's words. His note
book and pencil rested motionless up.
on his knees.
Doctor" he said at last, II am
most grateful to you for the trouble
you have taken in telling me all this
But, to be perfectly frank with you,
/ can't make use of it."
l saw Brodsky smile sympatheti-
cally, but he made no rejoinder. THE
fact is, the young man went on, in
lower voice, my paper wouldn't stand
for it. l believe-in fact l know that
these things are true. / have had ex-
perience of them, and so have many of
my acquaintances. But to write what
you have told me / should be thrown
out of my job, and probably be sent
to an insane asylum. No, Doctor,
can't use it,"
Perhaps you can see for yourself
tonight and tone the facts down to
suit" said Brodsky with the suspicion
of a laugh.
The young man looked at him du-
biously, but at that moment the train
stopped and we got out at Turner
vile. 1t was but five minutes to the
house, a large, struggling building
dating back to the beginning of the
last century, set in an isolated stu
alton upon a hill. The door was
opened to us by a surly-looking man,
evidently the caretaker
What, more of you?" he sneered.
Come to see the haunted house,
suppose. I can't admit you. gentle
men; police orders is very strict The
county sheriff was here this morning.
and il / hadn't been able to prove /
spent the night in my own cottage
down in Turnerville they'd have ar
rested me for murder. It's as much
as my life is worth to let you in; they
cautioned me-"
The reporter pulled something from
his pocket and passed it to the care
taker. The mans had closed upon it
avariciously.
We'll, it amt my funeral" he
grumbled. Its my time to close up,
anyway. All I'll ask of you gentle
men is to take fifteen minutes walk
until I'm safe down to my home and
don't know nothing of your coming.
And there. if you should find the side
door open and walk in, l guess they
can't lay no blame on me. Polly!"
He called loudly. "Drat that child,
Run away again, l suppose. Now, gen.
telmen!"
"One minute" interrupted Brodsky.
You're speaking of your daughter"
my little gel, yes" grumbled the
man. "She amt strong in her head
and takes to running away. She's
been worse since they all died, espe-
cially PUNK. When PUNK cashed in |
1t nigh broke her heart-the big mon
key. gentlemen. Loved him like he |
was human. She didn't care nothing
much about the tiger, though-and /
glad was to see him kick the bucket |
last week. / feared every night he'd |
get loose and make off into Turner |
vile. Everybody was afraid of him |
except the old man. and as for PUNK |
why, If he saw the tigers tail the |
other end of the garden he'd scream
himself sick with fright"
THE big cats dead, too, eh?" asked |
3rodsky.
You'll find his skin over yonder in |
hat clubhouse, sir" answered the |