South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-04-02
BY las. j. MONTAGUE.

accompanied Prof. Ounce upon
one of his recent trips in the inter-
est of Isychical research. The town
OF Chickeroo had been terrorized
by particularly malicious ghost for
more than a year. The professor.
who knows more about ghosts than
any other living mortal, had kindly
offered to go up there and drive 1t
away. I went along 10 carry his
books and instruments.
The villagers came to the train
to meet us with a half dozen FOrds
and q number OF narrowing stories.
The ghost had been making great
deal of trouble. He had broken into
cellers-or rather percolated through
their walls-and made off with Ger
tain spirits 10 which ne could claim
no kin
He had waylaid respectable citi-
zens on the way home from lodge.
snatched cigars from their mouths,
and strolled off through the dark.
the glowing end of the still lighted
cigars being the only means by
which he could be traced. had his
victims cared 70 trace him, which
they never did.
Three or four times he had broken
up the male quartet that met every
Thursday in the l. 0. O. +. hall by
standing outside and mingling his
voice with that Of the singers. He
always sang a quarter tone off the
\ key which as all members of male
I r~lT~- 4 $50 &C.,
{ ing.
/ The professor and I took up our
quarters in the house where he was
most frequently seen. He arranged
his instruments. which consisted OF
T birthstone detectors. dictaphOnes and
devices for measuring mist density
where they would be needed. At 1
( o'clock that night ! went TO bed
+ the professor sitting up in the down
fstairs sitting room 10 await develop
\ ments.
| I was very tired. and must have
! gone 20 sleep almost instantly. for
my wrist watch told me it was only
! II when I was disturbed by a slight
pulling at the sleeve Of my pajamas
! set up at once This was one OF
/ the methods the ghost had been en-
/ ploying TO annoy the visitors
Although il was dark outside. the
/ interior of the room was family
I luminous. and ] ctIld clearly see the
ghost sitting beside me, putting gent
{ ~ at a cigar which ! recognized as
one of my own
Don't" he said. as ] opened ms
mouth 70 gasp.
Don't what?'
yell That's what they all 10. Ny
ears are sensitive and J don't like
IL. Besides that bird in tho sittine
room viii. Ice up here and I'll have &c
go
stared Al nina little Uueasiiy
There e nothing 20 be afraid Of
ne sand Il couldn't hurt YOU II
wanted to- and I don't want to- Al
7 want is company. You've no idea
how I crave companionship."
he shifted ore long leg over the
other, I noticed with a start that
could see through them and follow
the outlines OF the chair arm be
yond.
IT'S ? lonesome life" he con
tinued. ST can't get anybody TO tall
20 me. I've tried every way I know
how. I've even raided their celler.
and stolen their hootch. and still
they won't nut me in Jail. where a
least 7 might have the society of
tramp or so now and then
Wei then" I said why are vol
SO afraid OF the gentleman down
stairs 30
"Oh, ! know those fellows. They'r'
+ tiresome bores. They're always ask
ing YOU questions about where yol
came from. and If YOU know thei
Uncle Ezra. and how many time
they must rap on the table 10 &c
YOU 10 materialize. I can always tail
20 mediums I'm sick of them"
But this man Is not a medium
he's a psychical researcher"
same thing. These fellows ar,
just mediums who have studio,
grammar. Don't call him. Let's jus
have a nice pleasant chat"
He stretched forth a long arm anS
deftly removed fresh cigar from
my vest. which hung on the foot o.
the bed There was a faint smell o.
birthstone for an instant as IN
/ placed IL in its mouth. a glow ap
peared about the end Of il. and {
/ lighted.
You see he resumed. SCI va
born before you had any OF thes