Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-02-10

Tue shutters were all closed. ana the
place appeared deserted The ground
was quite HAT here aud wide creek
Incandered through the rank grass
back of the huuse. and the adjacent
low lying ground appeared damp and
mursby,
Nice. malarious spot" remarked
rs We walked around weed grown
path TO the back door.
Might raise good crop OF spooks
here" said Jack. pauslng and looking
over toward the adjacent property.
"The Kid was right: there must have
been farmhouse there one day. See
the sunken rccinngles Of turf where
the buildings once stood? <Eou can even
get IN idea OF bow the yard must have
looked IN those days There's snow.
bail bush aud clump OF lllacs and
other lowering shrubs. and those apple
trees IN the background must be the
remains or the orchard
followed the direction OF his point
Ing finger aud saw that he spoke the
truth We were specializing upon the
location OF the different buildings when
! heard slight sound and. turning.
saw Mrs. Penny peering 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 OF
yours"
She fingered her spectacles rather
nervously aud then removed them and
raped she table smartly with them.
cycling me keenly.
This Is no Joke. young man." she
said grayely.
Indeed. madam" | replied warmly.
1--WE do not consider II as such. /
spoke lightly because wanted TO allay
your fears"
"Your own fears may need quieting
after you have seen them"
people. you meanf' asked Jack.
"They were once" she answered
duly.
"you mean you have really seen
them!"
Yves: the whole family. They're all
dead now"
You can recognize them from your
Window" he asked incredulously
She nodded an affirmative aud then
sat in moody silence while Jack and
conferred together The result OF this
interview was that my partner and
wandered about the spook ridden field
next door until Mrs. Penny summoned
us 10 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 and damp. but the sun set bril-
linntly. and In the east splendid full
moon was rising.
You can sit IN the side porch IL
you want to-" said Sarah Penny. Il
shall be In the sitting room here wait
Ing for II TO come
Jack and both shuddered as she de-
parted We whispered TO each other
and maryeled that any sensible ghost
would care 10 return 10 such q gloomy,
God forsakcn spot as this We lighted
cigars and tried not TO admit that an
eerie sensation was creeping over US
when Airs Pennys shrill 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 a
fascination about the weird scene tina;
drew us 10 the dividing fence.
There had arisen before our unbe-
lieving eyes white misty buildings
farmhouse with adjacent wings dairy
barns--and here and there We're forms
Of people. white wraiihs with beckon-
ing arms II was MINDLESS night. and
the moon sholc brightly
Sarah penny's voice again broke the
stiffness. this time hoarse with fear.
she was at my elbow, DO you see
it," she whispered
"Nes" | answered. but
''Dses he see il too:'
"Yes. but
Then II is So she moaned And !
saw that she was holding her black
bag under her arm Il must give up
the papers. and perhaps they viii go
away"
There was an instant Of intense 81
lence. and Then | turned my back on
the spook farm and said quickly:
"Yes, you must give ~ the papers.
Mrs Penny. and right the wrong. You
had better move away" ! advised,
leading her into the honse. quite
broken In spirit.
YES. will 90 away have sis
ter IN the west. who wants me 10
come. can sell this placc.-and-he
are the deeds | executed them years
ago. but | hated TO part with them.
have so little money!" she walled
pitifully. opening her black bag.
Little by little | wormed confess
sion out of her OF how she had held
a mortgage on the farm next door.
which was owned by German family.
She had coveted the land. but the
farmer had been industrious and paid
his interest promptly. Then one night.
sorely tempted. she had set fire TO the