The Glenwood post., 1924-04-17
Laying
the
Ghost
By CLARA DELAFIELD
per Unioa.)


|enyf 90. 1894. Western NswspApss Unien-)
THERE seemed to be NO doubt that
1 Sarum House was haunted. II
was an old Colonial house situated In
little New England village, and fall
ing to ruin. The new landlord re-
paired 1t, and the Baileys learned
about the ghost before they moved in.
TITS Nicolas Scroggett, who built it
He's been seen walking, in his old
fashioned clothes, at night. But he
never harmed no one. And-funny
thing. Mebbe you wouldn't believe
this, but"
go on" said Baiiey.
"Why, he amt got no pants on.
Seems to be lookin' fer 'em." said the
landlord.
Bailey and his wife laughed loud at
the idea, and forgot 1t. On the first
night, however. Mrs Bailey awoke her
husband with a scream, and pointed
into the room.
There, at the foot Of the bed, was
shadowy shape looking at them-a
man in old-fashioned clothes without
any knlckerbOckers on.
The Baileys moved into another
room and ceased to be troubled by the
spirit. They looked up the history Of
Nicolas Scroggett In the local library.
He had been a hard man, an ava
ricious man, they gathered, though Of
course this was not stated. But he
had owned half the town. and there
nH Icx %,iA
and mortgages called in. A very ava
ricious man.
About three weeks later Mrs. Bailey
awoke with a scream again:
Hes found us! Oh, I'm 80 afraidi"
There, at the foot of the bed, stood
the wrath Of Nicolas Scroggett, point.
ing a long finger at them. But the
look on his face was more imploring
than minatory.
"Delia, believe the old fellows
! looking for his pants" said Bailey.
Maybe he knows where they are, but
can't get them. I'm going to help him
find them"
A slow nod from the spirits head
greeted this statement. Disregarding
the remonstrances of his wife, who hid
her head beneath the bedclothes Bal
ley got up and looked fxedly at the
| shadow. w.
mournful expression came on the
face of the late Nicolas Scroggett. He
| pointed to his legs.
| Eyes, yes, / understand. Kind of
cold, aren't you. old fellow!" said Bal
ley. Lead on, Macdun-I mean Nico-
las scroggett. Whittier thou goest
| 60"
AS If clearly understanding, the
specter glided through the closed door.
As Bailey was unable to perform this
| feat, he opened it, to find the ghost
waiting for him outside. The spirit
advanced along the corridor and
ascended the flight of stairs which led
up to the attic.
Bailey followed. but being unable to
pass through the trapdoor like his
guide. was forced to unbolt 1t and push
1t up. He was relieved to find the
specter waiting for him above.
The garret was quite dark, but Nico-
| las Scrogsett was enveloped in pale
greenish astral light, which diffused
SUFFICIENT illumination for all purposes.
swell, old boy. where are they and
how are you going to dematerlalize
themT asked Bailey.
Nicolas Scroggett pointed to the
wall. Bending down, Bailey saw, by
the light furnished by the spirit,
trapdoor, cunningly built into the raft
ers. 1t was secured by rusty bolt.
"In there?" asked Bailey.
The specter nodded its head mourn.
fully.
Bailey fumbled with the rusty bolt.
The specter, apparently unable to un-
derstand why he was unable to pass
through, showed signs of lmpatience.
But at length Bailey got the door open.
Inside was closet containing few
rags and an oid-fashioned pair Of
snickerbockers hanging from a wooden
peg.
well, here they are, old fellow"
said Bailey. Sorry you've been 70
inconvenienced." And he held out the
pnnts to the ghost.
But the ghost, with a mournful sigh,
pointed to the pocket.
Bailey put his hand In and drew
out something hard and fiat and round
He thought 1t was gold piece. But
1t was an old-fashioned trouser button.
He held 1t out to the ghost, and in.
stantly Nicolas and the trouser button
iematerialized forever. Bailey had to
yrope his way downstairs In the dark,
for Nicolas had turned Off his light.