The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1913-03-07

shape. and l see 1t was the old miller
himself"
what was you doing down there at
the mill so late at night?" repeated the
elder, also for the tenth time.
Looking for that COMPOUNDED fox
terrier pup Of mine. He's got habit
Of running Off nights, and as he's worth
lot Of money l can't afford to lose
him. found him watching rat hole
down to the mill, and 1 declare to gra-
cious IL the little Teller wasn't scarf
half to death when that ghost riz up
in front Of him"
what happened after that?" de-
manded the elder, although the recital
was an old story to him.
Nothing much. The miller, he point
ed to his bosom where the bullet hit
him as much as twenty years ago. II
happened when I was lad. The ter
rier jest sat and trembled, and was
jest going to ask the miller where he'd
come from when he faded away"
THAT would have been kind Of i'm
polite. SAM" censured his wife mildly.
you don't know whether that miller
come from heaven or somewhere else. !"
The elder turned an indignant face
toward Mrs Pinney. Then you be-
lieve in sperrits, tooT he asked.
II believe In whatever my husband
does" said Mrs. Pinney Loyalty.
The elder arose and buttoned his coat
tightly over his thin chest. Mrs. Pin
ney and Mr.. Pinney," he said, with dig
nifty, II am sorry to see two such IN
telligent human beings given over to
the counsels of the evil one, for ghosts
and such talk are nothing else, in my
opinion. l feel 1t my duty-my bound
the elders. Why, it's almost like here
syn
Like fiddlestcks" cried Mrs. Pin
ney, with such energy that the elder
hustled toward the door.
THANK you very much for your hos
pitality," said Elder Jones constrain-
eddy.
Don't mention It," said Mr.. Pinney.
When the elders coattails had flap
ped through the gate Mr.. Pinney look
ed at his wife's good natured face and
burst into silent laughter.
Ann Eliza" he chuckled, that there
elder has got to see ghost before he's
convinced that / was speaking the
truth. l expect We'll be hauled over
the Goals by the committee If Jim
Jones has his say"
LET 'em haul" said Ann Eliza de-
family. I'll stick by you, Sammy.
even II 1t is my private belief that the
ghost you saw was nothing but a cloud
Of -four dust settling down from the
rafter overhead"
"Flour dustw echoed Sam scornfully.
II brushed your clothes the next
morning." remarked Ann Eliza signifi-
cantly as she proceeded to clear the
table.
Mr.. Pinney's prediction proved to be
correct. Mr.. and Mrs. Pinney were
before small committee Of
the elders Of the church to which they
belonged to answer some questions
concerning their outspoken belief in
spirits. 1t was to be
private hearing presided over by the
minister himself. tall. narrow chest
ed, narrow minded shepherd given to
driving his flock before him over GER
tain straight paths and never permit
ting the slightest divergence from the
closely defined way. The especial alb
horrence Of the Rev. Mr. Weeks was
the theory Of ghosts, and he had final
" managed to eradicate from the
minds Of his congregation the belief
that the old mill down ON the river
was haunted by the spirit Of its MUIR
dered proprietor. For twenty-five years
this story had been a favorfte one
among Beeton folks, and very reluc-
tantly they relinquished Its hair raising
horror.
Now here were Sam Plnney and his
sensible wife loudly acclaiming that
Samuel himself had had an encounter
with the ghost of the miller. As Mr..
Pinney had conveyed the news to
Elder Jones at the first opportunity the
good elder carried 1t directly to the
Rev. Mr.. Weeks, and in due season
was appointed and the Pin
leys summoned to appear before it and
explain their actions.
In the meantime the Pinneys went
heir ways soberly. industriously and
.ver cheerful. As the Friday evening
rev near their equanimity did not
lbate jot, and Elder Jones made an
special trip past the Pinney home to
zee II Sam had not lost some of his
osy color or Mrs. Pinney did not show
wilderness Of mental disturbance.
A storm came. bowling gale Of
Wind and sleet that ratified against the
hurch windows and sent little un.
pleasant thrills down the spines of the
ew people gathered to hear the ex.
lanation Of Samuel Pinney and his
wife.
The church was dark and gloomy
ave where few lights shone along
he north aisle. The pulpit was a
hadowy blot against the dimness of
he chancel The elders were gathered
1 the last six pews. and two chairs
ad been set in the aisle for the Of
anders.
Itov