The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1923-12-28
The Ghost of
Doddington

90. 1919, western Newspap.r linton,

! or 1t. 1t was all as quick as q wink
One moment the doctor was saying
Brandy, quick, nursel" and the next
Horace was looking at the queer little
man stretched out upon the pillows OF
the sick-bed.
Doddington had been the owner of
the largest chain of retail groceries
in the world. Yet though an unkind
fate prescribed the weighing out Of
sugar and tea, he had always longed
for romance
He had renovated an ancient manor
house which was said to have an au-
thentic ghost in it. but his wife and
daughter ridiculed ghosts, and no one
had ever seen it. Doddington himself
had disbelieved in ghosts.
And now he had solved the problem
for himself He found himself accost-
ed by Norman baron In ghostly chain
armor, carrying a huge battle-ax.
"Is-is that real? Doddington STAN
mered, touching 1t timidly and feeling
how sharp 1t was.
Read over here" answered the
spectre with a frightful frown. bod
dington, you are summoned for trial
before the High Court Of Royal and
Ancient Ghosts"
Doddington never quite understood
where he was taken, but 1t looked like
vault. He had only misty vision
of the court, but he could distinctly
see the jury. 1t consisted, among
others, of lady ghost, who walked
up and down in front of the box wiring
Ing her hands, a murdered child,
headless horseman. and a diabolical
earl.
He discovered that he was accused
Of having committed lese majestic
against the Union of Ghosts, in en-
couraging blackleg competition
"Doddington," said the presiding
judge, you occupied haunted manor,
and. instead of relying upon the old,
true and tried union labor, you admit |
ted blackleg ghosts onto your prop !
erty. What have you to say?"
II did my BEST" said Doddington.
did you have ghost that walked
from midnight till cockcrow in the
good old-fashioned way, keeping strict
union hours?"
Mo-" faltered Doddington.
'Your ghost was reputed to have
been seen In broad daylight" +
None of US ever believed in It."
said Doddington.
The Norman baron sprang up bitter
". HE admits IT," he cried. I'm
stead of employing ghosts that ratified
chains along the moated grange, and
uttered screams Of lost soul at mid
night, he had a common, modern ghost
md let 1t do as 1t liked. And he
lidn't believe in that even"
What is your verdict, members of
he juryY asked the presiding judge.
"Guilty +" they roared unanimously.
"Doddington," said the Judge, you
AVE been found guilty after a fair
rial. Your sentence is that you shall
ecome the ghost in your own home
Ill such time as you have succeeded {
convincing your family of your
eality."
odcICyl CTleu OOQQn8CO0
you will haunt your hall from {
lidnight till cock-crow, acquiring the
equation yell. You will beckon I'M Q
visitors through the moon. r
ght to the old well and topple them
|. When you are practiced in your
It you will attend continuation
,hool to perfect yourself in throwing
lshes and rapping furniture. Now
~
And instantly Doddington found him
If back in the manor-house.
He was in bedroom, and his wife
It reading In corner under dim
yht. The sight of her enjoying her
If while he was a poor, helpless
lost, filed him with resentment. He
rust bony hand forth across the
ge.
Mrs. Doddington went on reading =
yht through the hand
uttered blood-curdling |
II, but Mrs. Doddington took not the
ghtest notice of it.
Drawing forth ten yards of astral
ain, Doddington cIanked 1t.
Mrs. Doddington snored gently In re- !
onse. She was asleep.
Doddington put all his force into the
wi he uttered. IL
This time 1t got across. Mrs. Dod-
lgton sprang to her feet. A nurse
she'd into the room. They ran to-
I'd bed. A man was lying In It;
suddenly Doddington found him
back in the body.
He's coming toi" cried Mrs. bod n.
gton. you pulled him round, TU
sc. after ALL"