New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1914-07-29
Copyright. 1912. by A. G. McClurs q CO.

Pete" l asked. who is out there
fnow?"
! The negro turned so l could see the
whites Of his eyes,
AT de Henley plantation, sab? Why.
Il reckon de oberseer an de house
ikeeper-both white folks. done don't
know just who dey am fer shure.
ause dey don't stay long no more.
reckon dey can't abide dat ghost, sab.
an de field hams dey won't stay on
de place at all after dark"
1.-THE overseer and housekeeper, then.
are newly employed?"
Dem am de faces, sab. Deb amt
been dar no time at all, an l reckon
as how dey won't stay long, though
de niggers say de oberseer am a bad
man."
Here was a pleasant situation sure
ly. While the conditions were favor
able enough so far as our purpose was
concerned, yet l fervently wished we
had postponed our arrival until day
( light. While the negro's ghost had no
ed amusement-I realized my compan-
ion was not so Indifferent. She press
ed closer to me in the narrow seat,
her eyes on the dusky shadows. Soon
1T became quite dark. endeavored
to laugh away her fears. but got little
..espOnse. The road was lonely one,
although apparently we'll travelled, Dor
nv nd
ing fields.
n Suddenly the negro pulled up before
Il high hedge, and l perceived the
A;hite glimmer of a gate opposite us.
1he black shadow Of trees beyond.
We had no sooner alighted and paid
Pete than he wheeled his team and
departed, whipping the horses into a
Nm l felt her hand grip my sleeve
e. i'd glanced aside into her face.
Enlightened? l asked, endeavoring
rutspeak easily Don't let that fellow
H Their you; surely you do not believe
rIspooks?'
in NO" her voice trembling, but it
all so desolate. IL wish we had
dted until daylight
We'll, frankly, so do L." responded,
AMT come on and l picked up the
pla. cases. 1--WE will probably be
Ho Ching at ourselves in five minutes.
PIE will have to unlatch the gate"
plo,i was held in place by a sagging
ric ,e. but opened no1selessly. and we
lyanced on to a brick walk. so little
ed as to be half hidden by weeds
.e' wing in the crevices. The moon
r 4ly revealed rank vegetation on Ell
lher side. while ahead beneath the tree
this lows the darkness was profound.
There was no sound, no faintest CLEAN
Of light, to indicate the house, and
was compelled to advance cautiously
% keep to the path. which apparently
~- 'und about in the form Of letter
We were at the foot of the front
Fps, the building itself looming black
efore us almost before we realized
is nearness.
At the top man. seemingly huge
figure. suddenly emerged from the
shadow Of column and confronted us.
What are you DOM here?" he ejac-
ulated sullenly.
1t was not in my nature to fear men,
and this was evidently man.
"You surely startled me, friend"
explained. Are you the overseer?"
II reckon l am, but what want to
now is who you are
x ''I?" striving to regain my wits.
Why, l am-am Philip Henley. We
we have just got in from the north"
us that woman with you?'
Eyes. May we come in?'
"Oh, reckon l amt got no license
to turn yer away if yer mind ter risk
it. Lord knows I'm willin' 'nough to
hav' company. Git yer buds, an I'll
light up so yer kin see bit"
he disappeared, and logged the
grips to the top of the steps, where we
waited Then faint light streamed
out through the open door, moment
later outlining his figure
Come on in," be said, still gruf1y.
Eyer don't need be afeerd O. me, nam,
and the housekeeper'll be we're d.
rectly."
confess entered the dim hall re-
luctantly, obsessed by some strange
premonition of danger. But Mrs. Ber-
nard chung to me. and the sight of her
white face gave me new courage.
CHAPTER v.
A Pleasant Welcome.
T was an old fashioned living
room into which we entered,