The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-01-02
PAGE THREl
Huh" CALCULATED my partner.
In silence we approached the hon
Mrs. Sarah Penny.

hSdhueIeu through lne rank grass
back OF the house. and the adjacent
low lying ground appeared damp aud
marshy.
Nice. malarious spot" I remarked
as We walked around n weed grown
path 10 the back door.
'Might raise a good crop or spooks
here" said Jack. pausing and looking
over toward the adjacent property.
THE kid was right: there must have
been farmhouse there one day. See
the sunken rectangles of turf where
the buildings once stood? You can even
get an idea of how the yard must have
looked IN those days. There's a snow
ball bush and a clump OF lilacs and
other Towering shrubs. and those apple
trees in the background must be the
remains Of the orchard"
followed the direction OF his point
ing finger and saw that he spoke the
truth. We were Specializing upon the
/ location Of the different build ngs when
/ | heard slight SOUND and turning,
saw Mrs. Penny peeriug sharply from
/ a kitchen window.
Here we are. Mrs. Penny" ! said
cheerfully, introducing my partner
'Mr Rogers and | propose 10 sit up
tonight and lay all these spooks II
yours"
She fingered her spectacles rather
neryously and then removed them and
raped the table smartly with then,
cycling me keenly.
This is no joke, young man." she
said gravely
Indeed. madam" I replied warmly.
1--WE do not consider IL as such. I
spoke lightly because wanted to allay
your fears"
Your own fears may need Quieting
after you have seen hem"
People. you mean?" asked Jack.
"They We're once" she answered
duly.
you mean you have really seen
them?"
YES; the whole family. They're all
dead now"
You can recognize them from your
window" he asked incredulously.
She nodded an affirmative and then
sat in moody silence while Jack and I
conferred together. The result OF this
interview was that my partner and l
wandered about the spook ridden field
next door until Mrs. Penny summoned
US TO supper. We ate without referring
TO the object OF our visit. In fact a
great depression seemed to have set
tied upon the three of us. The air was
heavy ana damp. but the sun set bril-
hantly, and in the east splendid full
moon was rising.
You can sit In the side porch II
you want to-" said Sarah Penny. T
shall be in the sitting room here wait
ing for it TO come"
Jack and l both shuddered as she de-
parted. We whispered to each other
and marveled that any sensible ghost
would care TO return TO such a gloomy.
God forsaken spot as this We lighted
cigars and tried not to admit that an
eerie sensation was creeping over us
when Mrs. Penny's shril old voice
broke excitedly on the air.
'They are here-it has conner,
We lifted reluctant eyes and gazed
upon the spook farm. There was
fascination about the weird scene that
drew ms TO the dividing fence.
There had arisen before our unbe-
neving eyes white misty buildings
farmhouse with adjacent wings. dairy
barns-and here and there We're forms
Of people, white wraiths with beckon-
ING arms. 1t was MINDLESS night, and
the moon shone brightly.
Sarah papnV'a Nnfoa onof, AroY~o
this time hoarse with fear.
She was at my elbow. do you see
t?' she whispered
"Yes," 1 answered, but
docs he see it too?"
"Yes, but
Then II is sor' she moaned. And I
aw that she was holding her black
'ag under her arm. II must give ND
he papers, and perhaps hey VIII 20
way"
There was an instant Of intense ST.
ence, and then l turned uy back on
be spook farm and SAID quickly:
"Yes, you must give up the papers.
irs. Penny. and right the wrong You
ad better move away" advised.
eading her into the house uuits
roken in spirit.
yes, / will go away. have a a.
n in the west, who wants me %
ome. can sell this place-and-hsre
re the deeds. l executed them ye>rs
go. but / hated TO part with them.
have so little money!" she walled
Itifully, opening her black bag.
Little by little l wormed a COATES
on out Of her OF how she had held
mortgage on the farm next door.
hich was owned by a German family.
he had coveted the land. but the
irmer had been industrious and paid
s interest promptly. Then one night.
rely tempted. she had set fire to the
lildings, and when they lay a heap
ashes IN the ground she took the
nd for the amount OF the mortgage.
I'd the Germans were homeless and
'nniless. They had gone forth. help
by charity. to make new start.
ID she had heard from some source
at each one had died years ago. All
Is bad happened fifty years before.
ID she had had long time I'm which
repent of her crime.
The next morning when Jack and