Erie Community High School - Cardinal Yearbook (Erie, IL)

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THE CARDINAL The Haunted Mill On the outskirts of a little village in New Hampshire, stood an old mill which had been in existence many decades. It was now almost a pile of ruins, the water wheel had rotted away, and the building itself was rickety and tottering. But one thing about this decrepit structure distinguished it from any other old mill, namely it was said to be haunted! For many years, the mill had been looked upon with awe and respect by people far and near. No one feared it in the day time, but at night, all would start with apprehension ,if anyone as much as even mentioned it. ' A' ' 1 'Z' fl I It grew to be a favorite pastime for the villagers to dare each other to explore the mill at night. Occasionally, a few would -offfreiiii 'up courage enough to start out ,but no sooner would they arrive in sight of the haunted place, than they would experience shivers creeping up and down their spines, and retreat posthaste in grand riot. For months thereafter, they would terrify all with blood-curdling tales of what they had seen and heard-the clanking of chains, the flashing of coiored lights, the running to and fro of gh-as-t-l-y apparitions. One group main- tained that it had approached the mill closely enough actually to hear distinctly the most uncanny groans. Thus, as people grew more and more alarmed, there was much talk of tearing down this fear-inspiring rendezvous of the spirits. Finally, two fun-loving boys, who were at all times ready to take a dare, volunteered to explore the mill some night, if a few others would go with themfta- assist in capturing the spegtreg yvere any such discoveredg Ashamed to refuse, many consented to jointhe venture, and after much wrangling, the date was definitely set. Starting out on a fine evening, the party arrived at their destination quickly, the brightness of the moon aiding them in picking their way between the numerous trees and shrubs in the vicinity of the mill. Already some of the adventurers had quite audibly begun to quake, and all would just as soon have been-going in the opposite direction, but since each wished to show the other fellow how brave he was, no one turned back. Upon arriving in the first room of the building, the leaders declared that anyone who wished to return, should do so now, so as not add to the terrors of the rest by displaying fear. About two-thirds of the company instantly set out for town at no snail's pace. The rest began to pick their way over the rotten floors in the building to the room in which the ghosts were reputed particularly to reside. Stopping every few minutes to listen, they made but little progress. No one was desirous of making better time, however. The nearer they approached t e dreaded room, the slower progress they made. All at once, a most o I o 'sound was heard. A shrieking groan probably best describes it. The whole party, with the ex- ception of the two boys, made a blind charge forthe exits. Hurrying, scrambling, pushing, shoving, they made noise enough to awaken the ghosts of all the dead. Nor did they stop, even for breath, until they reached the village. However, the two boys stood their ground, determined to the origin of the noises and sights that had dismayed people for years. For the instant no more dis- turbances were heard. Thus, tip-toeing cautiously, they progressed to the very doorway of the room. It is impossible to describe the courage it demanded of 44

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THE CARDINAL victim. This time they decided upon the soher old undertaker, but postponed the date of his appearance for about a week so that Miss Prim would have a chance to recover from the shock of having had a man VlSlt l1er respectahle school. On the appointed day, the dignified undertaker, dressed in his Sunday best, arrived extremely self-conscious and uneasy. After having adjusted his necktie at least ten times and having received full instructions as to how to conduct his campaign, he was ushered into the presence of the honorable teacher. The first sight of her was enough, all his painful preparations were for naught. To the astonishment and utter despair of the conspirators, he meekly said, I-I came to see if I could borrow a hook of psychology fro111 you, er-Miss Prim. In a hideous mire hut not yet fully dismayed, tl1e plotters concluded to try just once more. This time they planned to use the fat old Deacon Scruggins for Prince Charming. By some mysterious process, however, he seemed to have sensed their plan and continually evaded them. In the meantime, miraculously enough, Miss Prim was actually becoming a little hit human. A good-natured smile gradually displaced the accustomed scowl. Even her mode of dress was rapidly improved upon, as her laughable riggins were exchanged for hrand new togs that were really pretty. Each day she would sport something different. The girls were just becoming used to these daily shocks when, one morning, she came into the class 1'oon1 with her hair hobhed and marcclledl At least six of the girls fainted. Patsy, however, was too much overcome with open-mouthed amazement to bc surprised into unconsciousness. But even she fell victim to the shock one week later. Miss Prim had eloped with Deacon Serugginsl -11. Ill. ,261 43

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THE CARDINAL our adventurers to make the final plunge which was to solve the mystery that had frightened people for so long. Just outside a window of the room, stood a gnarled tree which rocked back and forth with the slightest breeze. The moonlight, striking the tree, east on the opposite wall of the room, a grotesque shadow resembling a human form, whieh stalked nervously back and forth with each movement of the tree, whereas the dancing moonbeams playing amid the swaying branches, threw upon the floor and wall, fantastic illusions of terrifying figures. An unnerving sereech followed bv mysterious swishes as of the rustling of robes, unmanned--t-hefii J 41 boys: An instant later, however, they realized that a sudden gtmt of wind l1aclxLg,..e caused the stiffer limbs to grate along thekrough sideboar , a d I e leafier branches to brush lightly by. A-ny-furtherphenimenil -'-' ' i ' i i i n ESih nd n..,a.J.-1 gg could be at- tributed only to well-developed imaginations. Suddenly the tension of the boys snapped, and simultaneously they burst into loud laughter. Composing themselves, they lost no time in returning to relate to the nerve-racked the story of the now unhaunted mill. Naturally our heroes were not believed at Hrst, and many of the villagers had to be shown more than once before they would accept the explanation. In this way, the cnig-1-nanfff of the haunted mill came to be a mystery of days gone by. -Robert Pfundstein. 45