Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-10-21
THE HAUNTED
PORTRAIT
hw the Ghost Was
Unearthed
BY CLARLSSA MACKIE

. .
The Baker homestead stood on a hill
and alone. 1t was q bleak looking
place Ia winter and after David Bakers
death was suffered to fall into semi
decay. David Bakers nephew, Edward,
wsat there occasionally in the autumn
TO u@s the place for hunting box.
One autumn be persuaded his friend
James L&3dlsw TO go there with him.
There was portrait Of Nicholas Baker
hanging on the wall, and during an
evening, after a hunt, the following
conversation occurred between the two
naen while they smoked:
do you really mean that you wish
to sell your uncle's portrait?' asked
Laidlaw incredulous1y.
Yes" returned Baker shortly.
~One doesn't usually sell family por-
traits" limited his friend.
Baker lighted another cigar and push
cd the box toward Laidlaw.
"Of course l would not dream Of
such q thing" be apoIogized, but
He glanced quickly at the great oil
painting over the mantelpiece.
"Butr' prompted Laidlaw.
1.-THE COMPOUNDED thing has got on
ray nerves.
"HoWT'
cit watches me-
~An portraits appear TO do that"
81 know what you mean, Jim, but
this Ia different The eyes not only
watch me continually, but they change
expression. Sometimes they positively
glare at me murderously." He shtv-
cred.
Better close the place and go away"
II did last spring, but haven't been
able to keep even caretaker here, and
then, you know, came that series of
robberies in the neighborhood, and so
I'm rather sticking around to keep an
eye on my own property"
"You say you can't keep any serv-
ants? You mean they believe the place
Is haunted?''
That's the idea. Men and maids
declare they hear footsteps and kissing
whispers and all that rot"
"You haven't seen or heard anything
out of the ordinary asked Laidlsw.
Nothing except the eyes"
Laidlaw glanced up at the portrait
u Nicholas Baker. 1t represented the
head and shoulders of mild eyed old
gentleman dressed correctly in black.
In the dimming light OF the library
the snowy shirt front and collar and
the abundant white hair and whiskers
stood out sharply.
The gray eyes gazed benignly upon
the two men.
II can't imagine your mild uncle,
Nicholas, looking fierce" smiled Laid
law, looking at Ned Baker
Baker was staring fxedly at the por-
trait Look now!" he muttered be-
tween clinched teeth.
Laidlaw looked.
Good heavensT' he gasped in aston
ishment.
Nicholas Bakers face still wore that
expression OF benevolent pity, but the
eyes were no longer gray and mild.
They were flercely rolling in their
sOcket+black, black as night. Baker
switched on the electric lamp, but the
eyes remained the same, flashing an
gT1y from one man to another.
What do you make Of thatT' de-
manded Baker. poking the fire into a
blaze.
Laidlaw studied the glowing end of
his cigar. His hand shook a little, and
he Was angry with himself for feeling
that thrill OF horror.
he looked up at the portrait, intend
ing to stare it out of countenance, but
what he saw was a pair Of kindly
gray eyes regarding him fixedIy.
'"The deuce!" he exploded, Ieaping
to his feet What ails the thingY'
Baker smiled YEARLY.
sits got you, too, ehT'
Laidlaw sank back In his chair and
stared at the fire.
'sYou thought of selling the portrait -
be said at last. would you feel bad
IL anything happened to 1t?'
Something VIII happen to it, and
soong" growled Baker.
1--WE an idea," murmured LaidIaw.
Baker laughed harshly. you needn't
whisper" he gibed. lit isn't likely his
ears are on duty as well as his eyes"
Laidlaw smiled quietly.
Eve are dining out, | believe" he
said, with a quick change Of topic.
eyes, and. Jove. it's time to dressg'
Ned Baker jumped up and rang bell.
After q long while a woman poked
her head In the door. She wore a hat
and cloak
Where is Ames, Nora?" asked Baker
| In dtspleased tone.
''P1ease, sir, he's left, and Hannah
and Mary and I'm going this minute.
We're sorry, Mr.. Baker, but it's the
ghosts. We can't stand it no longerT'
She vanished. and In the distance an
| outer door closed noisily.
Baker laughed. 81 paid them today.
They managed to calm their fears IN
I'll the month was up. Well, Jim, /
guess we'll have to close up the house
and go back TO town
81 hate to lose that quail shooting, +"
said Laidlaw. yawning.
A clock in the hall struck 6.
I'VE must dress" said Baker, "but
nrst I'm going around to lock up
"T1l go with you" volunteered the