OLD FIBRE'S GHOST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 38

OLD FIBRE'S GHOST.

By L. A. Wedge.

Why so many misdeeds should have been accredited to him, what his evil actions when on earth had been above those common to other mortals, I am not prepared to say; but that he did return and wander round his old homestead seems a matter it would be at least impolite to doubt. However, seeing is believing, and if after the faithful account of my experiences there are still sceptics, may they never be casually brought in contact with him.

My early days having been spent where ghosts were even thicker than thieves, and in so benighted a region that a clergyman of my acquaintance once actually acceded to the request to go and " lay " one, I have had every chance to at least recognise a ghost when introduced to it.

Thus establishing my claims to credence, let us proceed. . Having at one time of our sojourn in New Zealand more money than we could spend yearly, we saved a nice little sum, and hearing of a small farm for sale invested in it. We were quite sure we had made a good bargain as the price of the whole waa not much too high for the house alone, and there waa land enough for half a dozen cows. What a paradise it seemed to us, children and all I A large piece of bush, a nice dry Bunny paddock, and such a rambling old house. What a packing up we had from our town house I How we actually tried to shake the dust out of everything before taking it to our fairyland ; how we lighted the fire and boiled the kettle and made merry generally, until worn out with our labours we went wearily to our impromptu couches. The sun seems to have been unable to wake us the next morning for it was late when our worthy little maid knocked to tell us breakfast was ready and " could she speak to me a minute." Yen, in a few minutes she could, but why this mystery 7 I hoped she wasn't goiflg to leave, from the bottom of my heart. What was it she could not tell me before everybody 7 However in time I was free to hear confessions or what not. " Please 'm didn't you hear it 7 " " Hear it 1 What was there to hear I " " The knocking." " What knocking 1 " " The knocking as came last night." " You foolish girl, what knocking could have come ? "

" Something knocked at my window — at your window, and at all the windows 'm."

" Well, Mary, so it might have done, but I should more likely think you were overtired and dreamt it all."

" Please'm, it were no earthly knocking, and please'm I were that frightened I never shut my eyes again." How to convince my poor girl that it could certainly have been done only for mischief was my next serious thought, but I failed miserably, and as night came, tho request came with it, " might she go for a few things to her aunt's and be back in time to light the fire for breakfast."

I saw through it, and at once giving up hope of my young lady's further services, was prepared next morning for the news she had for me.

"Please'm, aunt says she knows a lady just close to her wants a girl, and please'm, may I go to-day 7 " This is grievance number one, " Mr Fibre," for she was a good girl, and the discomfort of suddenly been deprived of help at such a time was great. However, needs must when even " Old Fibre " drivee, and when later in the day my washerwoman brought home the clothes, I myself opened the door to her, her basket, and her exclamations of how " she wouldn't live these roads no how," and " wasn't I nervous 7 "

Nervous 1 Dear, dear, why should Ibe nervous 7 No, dear good soul, I have been too busy to be nervous. Having told her this and the reason of it, without letting known the reason for it, I was again brought face to face with fearful possibilities. " Perhaps she saw something." Now wasn't this too bad 1 At anyrate I would have it out with somebody. " What was there to see 7 " " Why, • Old Fibre' ; didn't you know 7 " Now I had a name actually for him or it, " And who is • Old Fibre ' 7 Is he a lunatic or something ? " " A lunatic, mum ! dear mum, did you never bear of his ghost 1 "

" Oh, well, if it is only a ghost, I am quite used to ghosts. I shan't be afraid of him."

" Well, please yourself, mum. I know as how you couldn't get me to live here no how."

" Very likely not, but why should you be afraid of a ghost 7 To begin with, did you ever see one ? " • " No, but I've 'eerd one." " Well, take my advice, and if you don't see one never believe in it."

Unconvinced she went away, to return next week, in full daylight you may be sure.

" No girl yet I suppose, Mrs ? "

" No, no giils have answered my advertisement, but some woman near here came yesterday to ask if I wanted any scrubbing done. She lives somewhere near, she says, and her name is Caucus — Mrs Caucus. Do you know her? " " Yes, I know her. They calls her ' old kaikage,' 'cause fehe's often ' sent for' to lay out coips. (Now, this is how she said it Surely she wasn't blessed wiih a happy way of expressing herself ; but she washed well, so one good quality helped to make up for her shortcomings)."

" Oh, well, i£ she likes to fill up her spare time thus cheerfully, I daresay she gets well paid for it." " Poor thing, they do say her husband's horrid lazy, and she has to keep the whole lot, but she's awful roligus. Kvery morning to church she goes, to the early service, and her gets all the church cleaning and the wasnipg of the surpluses." "You suppose she's honebt, theu 7 "

" Well, ss.e'd ought to be aDy way by her goings-on, but I must go ; and is these ready 7 " pointing to a basket of clothes. " Yes, and put a little tiny bit of starch in the beßt pinafores, please. I really think, as you say, they last clean longer."

"Very well, and good day, mum." Off she went, and soon in cams the boys from sohool, hungry, but in high spirit*,

consequent on finding a hen's nest with five eggs in it.

"Ab, yes, that'll be • Fluffy's 'nest," from Mies Anne. " They'll be my chickens."

Now this was to say the least premature, but we bowed to her decision, and I mildly hinted that there were only eggs » et.

" Oh yes, but they'll grow into chickens."

So be it, and I think they eventually did; but when the chickens came, I had weightier matters to occupy my thoughts.

Two or three days more brought Mrs Caucus to her scrubbing. But for rather too obtrusive a ma aner of working she suited us vtrj- well, and we were beginning to think that the freedom of the kitchen at all hours and seasons, helped a great deal to make up for a maid's help, and that we could manage without one just then, if this woman's services were always to be had.

She was by no mean 3 taciturn, remarking amongst other thinga, " how nise it was to have a sensible neighbour."

This was on the patronising side, and as I have ever objected to encouraging " pats," I inquired the meaning, and received for answer that " the last people left because they saw • Old Fibre.' "

" Or thought they saw him, we may suppose," Ventured I. " Oh, perhaps, and very likely they did see him, ma'am ; but he was a poor, harmless old man, and didn't I lay him out myself, and the only reason he can't rest is because the property hasn't been disposed of as he wantec it."

My look of incredulous scorn seemed to upset her, for she hastened to aseure me that he did "walk" and her husband, who, she remarked, was a very timid man, had seen him one night he went for some dead wood into the busb.

" And how was ho dressed 7 "

" Oh, in his swallow tails and tall hat — the same as he used to wear in life or the fao similiar of them."

" Well, certainly you, if anyone, should know how many oE his things he took with him. You-,6urely didn't pack up these articles with him in view of possible requirements?"

The poor woman evidently thought 1 was laughing at her, and seemed to fail to see the joke, and if she liked " Old Fibre " to wander about, it really mattered nothing to me, so the subject dropped. But surely some parts of our conversation must have reached the old gentleman's ears in some way, for that evening while I was sitting up waiting for my good man, a step came slowly aloDg the verandah, then two or three light taps at the window of the room I waa sitticg in, as if in mild reprooE of disrespectful speeches. Now I ask my forbearing readers, one and all, to take in the situation. Here was I in a comparatively strange house, uncertain how long I should be alone. To speak correc'ly, I was scarcely alone now, for there was evidently only the glass of the window between mo and something or somebody, which was anything but cheering. Surely, surely 1 was that in again? No ! How my spirirs rose, this time they were the footsteps I most wished to hear. My nervousness vanished. With the greatest pleasure in the world I flew to open the door to my husband, and when I was quite sure it was fa«t shut for the night I poured out my griefs. After hearing the tale of woe, the dear good man came to the conclusion that the steps and taps came with the object of frightening us, in the hopes that the place would, again become vacant, and wo decided then and there not to admit having heard them to anyone, and to try and Bee the ghost. Now this may appear wonderfully stroDgminded, but we had two very good reasons for the decision. First and .foremost we wanted to make sure our children did not, any of them, get a fright from these wretched rapping.*, and last but not least we had invested all our savings of 10 years in this particular spot, and if we had to leave the house we should be great losers.

So it was that when Mrs Caucus came two days after the subject was not mentioned between us, but she told me a piece of news over which she Beemed really concerned — namely, that there had been a great jewel robbery the day before at a house close to, "old Mr M'Guffln's, poor old man," she said. "He lost his sister not so long ago, and now this robbery. He came over to tell me about it this morning, and he seemed quite cut up. He said the jewellery was very valuable, and, as he said, who would have thought of such things being in such a tumble down old house."

He told her he had often meant putting them in some bank or somewhere, but thought the poor appearance of the place protection enough. It seems from what I could make oat afterwards, that the old man did not leave his house for more than three hours — just time enough to go to the town and back — and when he got home he found everything apparently as he had left it — doors and windows fastened — but the box gone. In the middle oE onr conversation we had a pleasant surprise ot a scone through the window, and directly aft'-r Mr Bob at the door with a xuefnl face, and, " indeed he did not mean it. Hs was throwing at a tui up in the tree," &c. Poor boy, he was nearly crying, sohow could one be cross with him 7 Indeed, kind Mrs Caucus said' her husband was a glazier and he would only charge for the glass, and put it in nicely for us in two or three daya time — at least she thought he would be home then, and "should she just paste a piece of paper on it for now 1 " To this we were glad to agree, and while engaged on this piece of work the good lady enlarged on the pity it was there was no work to be had round about home. Her husband was so often away. He had been absent then for a fortnight, and though he sometimes brought some gold home wish him, regular work would pay better in the end.

I iuquired where he was looking for gold, having always had a sort of childish expectation of some^day picking up a nugget mvser, but; I was alwayr. laughed ar, and told that my geology would neud attention, that we were not in a gild region, &o. Never mmd — let those laugh that win, and I think in the end I did win in one way. However, we left Mrs Caucus pasteing the window up, so let U3 return to the point. She told me " Mr Caucus " went prospecting whenever he was not sura of other work. " And does he really bring gold back with

him ? How very much I should like to see some."

To which she replied that if I saw the stone in the rough I should very likely be unable to see the gold in it ; and changing the subject she asked me whether it was our advertisement iv that day's paper for bushfellers. 1 answered " Yes, and that wo were going to have the trees all down and th© ground trenched." A look of pious horror came over hat face as she exclaimed at the pity of it all—

" The bush was so pretty — in fact quite picturesque. Eeally going to trench it? — dear, dear, dear."

She could not believe it possible that suchGoths existed, I daresay, for everyone seemed to look on the bash on oar land astheir own particular property, and they acted accordingly, and did not scruple to 1 burr* large fires to its honour in their houses, ao that when it was down they would" perhaps have larger coal bills.

We had no more conversation that day, for it was nearly half-past 5 in the evening and the days were still short ; so she generally left off sood, liking also, she informed me, " to attend all the week day services she could. There were so few really earnest people about, it was right always to set an example."

Soon after her departure my husband came home and said how sarry he was to havo to leave me again very soon, for there was some political meeting it would be advisable to attend, only if I were at all nervous he would not go. Well, I am afraid t was beginning to be happier when he wasonce homo at nigh*, but as I knew he was really obliged in a way to go to this, I put a brave face on and laughed at the idea oE nervousness.

" And if the • taps ' come, how will you ba then 7 "

" Oh, they won't know you are out tonight, and they will consequently leave me in pease."

Once more I was alone except for the children, and I could not keep any of them up for fear of their being startled. So when they went to bed I turned the lamp well up in the sitting room, and left it for " Old Fibre " to rnake< what use he liked of the window.

I tock up my stand by the children's win-do-w to see whether the taps came there, and if possible to try and see the outline of the expected visitor. This was a cheerful halfhour's work — to stand and wait for aghust; and I often think what a contradictory mixture of nerves I am possessed of. To tell the truth I began almost to be disappointed until I had the honour of ee&ing a most veuerablo old geutleman open tho wickob and proceed do^n the walk towards the house. Now for as near a sight as possible without an interview. Having carefully concealed myself in the window curtain, I peered and peered into the moonlight, and all I could make out was a very horriblelooking face (I am afraid I put it down for a mask) and a pair of very grhostly-lookine hands, a swallow tail coat, and a tall hat — just as Mrs Caucus had described.

He oame close up to the window. Dear me, would he hear my heart?' Should I scream i£ he rapped ? Should I be able to breathe much longer? Was I going to faint ? No ; my courage was coming back, for ho was going round the house and would have to pass another window, where I believed I might get a better view of him. I had only my slippers on, and these oven I slipped off before I crept out of tho room. 'I he door of the sitting room was open a little way, and I waited a second to hear whether he tapped.

No, he was in too angelic a fmno of mind to try to frighten me to-night I lapp >se, acd merely wished to take a little neeensary exercise. On I went to the other window which looked out towards the bush, and perhaps I was relieved to see my dear ghost walking slowly down the side of tho walk which divided our garden from the next property. I shall never know what possessed me that night, but a inobt wicked idea now seized me —namely, to follow "Old Fibre," and this was how 1 could do so. There was a gap in the wall near our front door, and I and the children had often trespassed through this gap in search of violets, which grew ia profubion about 20 yards down. I could I knew almost run down in the dark behind this wall and thus catch up to this uneasy wanderer. I went on and on, quite down to the violets, and then to where the bush wall joined the other at right angles, and was beginning to wonder if I was wise. Suppose the children woke, or suppose my husband came home aoon. But wait a bir, I was certain I saw a light a little further on, and I thought I heard voices. Something assured me that "Mr Fibre's" was one, but whoße was the other. Now, I knew, but I was very much puzzled all the same. Tha other voice belonged to Mrs Caucus.

Now to find out their business in this corner of the bush at this hour of the night. Soon 1 heard the sound of a spade, and then my own name, " was I all right 1 " Eight 1 What did she mean ?

" Oh, she's right enough — she's ia the sitting room warming her toes I expect, there was no light in any other room."

Very good, " Mr Fibre," and now what are you digging for 7 Is it gold, and are 3ou the great Mr Caucus?

To be britf, their conversation wont to show that there was something or value in our bush, and that it would be discovered i£ it weie tienched. This being quite a corner, there was the possibility of this little b,uiying ariangemenb passing unnoticed; but alas 1 did they in their hurry forget the old adage about walls having ears ? Ears, did I say, ah ! but wait one little bit. I believe they might have eyes also— for it was a dry wall, you must know, and there are often holes here and there, as there was one in fact, just about level with my knees, and t at once made full use of it The bight which met my gaze was to say the least a remarkable one.

On one side of a <lenp hole knell ' Mr Fibre." On Ike oppoMie bide "Mrs Fibre" and they were very busy pUcit g all torts of curious - looking parcel*, j^wel cases, jewellery without any ca.-tf, ii«t!e boxes, watches, and what more I could not wait t j see, for hearing our dog bnrkicg I thought it as well to go back to the house, and after creeping for a few yards safely out of hearing, I flew like the wind, to find my husband on the verandah wonderiag where to begin to look for me, and I am afraid really

alarmed. But my by this time jaunty air soon reassured him, and we went in, shutting the door noiselessly behind us. My experiences were soon told. Our opinions of Mrs Caucus were very freely expressed, and our line of action speedily decided upon — namely, to retire to our well-earned repose for that night, and to lay our case before the local constable in the morning. However, sleep we could not, and it was just as well, for in the night "Old Fibre" paid us a visit in quest of a certain box it would ill have pleased us to lose.

Bob's accident must have been quite a godsend to him, for he had only ffi put his hand quietly throngh the paper Mrs Caucus had considerately put on, and turn back the window fastening, after which it was of course easy to raise the sash and enter, if — how often that little word comes in and alters the course of events ! — if our poor old dog had not been quite so quick in his movements and literally unmasked the intruding head, which, we must suppose, was actually through the window. This much only was apparent to us when wo went into the kitchen.

The window was half up; poor old Sweep was, to say the least, excited, aud there was a carious thing lying on the floor — no burglar's tool, which, doubtless, you are waiting for — only a simple papei mask, which woHld have to be replaced if "Mr Fibre " wished to continue his nightly wanderings. From this we judged that the mask had saved Sweep's from teeth coming in violent contact with the face of our nocturnal visitor.

I am sure we both welcomed daylight, and we lost no time in sending for the constable, who arrived soon after S o'clock. The earlinoss of the hour was all in favour of our wicked plan, which was to proceed with a spade to the scene of last night's labours, and try how many valuables we could find.

I must not forget to chronicle how gracefully I was allowed to discover the articles, for after about lft of earth had been dug out my good man handed me the spade with the remark that " We must be close on it now," "He didn't wish to jump my claim," and some other frivolities which ended in my really and truly receiving the honour of unearthing this uutold wealth.

As I have before remarked, the collection was miscellaneous, but it was all valuable, and represented the proceeds of a great many robberies. The constable congratulated me in a somewhat envious way, and began to speculate on the amount of rewards which might be on the books at the different police stations. This I had barely thought of, but it was not ah all a bad idea that there might b8 some money attached to the proceeding. Of one thing we might feel confident, we had laid the ghost, and we could also be pretty sure of bringing him to justice.

After carefully refilling the hole with soil and covering it with the piece of dead broom %ye had found on it, laden with our spoil. "we returned to the house to hold a council of war.

Banks, the policeman, told us he must at once place the find in the hands of his superiors down in the town, and he then proposed bringing help back to watch the Caucus' house and the hole where we had found the jewellery. We thought it was a bright idea to suggest that the constables or detectives, or whatever they happened to be, should temporarily take on themselves the occupation of bush-fellevs to avoid suspicion. Two were to be felling within sight of Caucus' house, and the other two could be on the prowl ostensibly cutting undergrowth and scrub. This was all actually carried out, but I am glad to say their labours came to an end before the third day, for just as they were making a great show of leaving off work, along the lane there came a man with a glazier's arrangement foi holding glass on his back. He seemed very footsore,' and stopped to have a talk with the freah-somers. They readily engaged in conversation, and he asked them whether they wanted help. To this they replied, they " very likely might," and he then said he hoped they would put some work in his way, for it would be handy to have a job so near home, sayiog also that he lived at the bouse close by, and his name was Caucus. Our bushmen jumped at the idea, as they said they wished to get their present contract over in as short a time as possible.

I cannot tell exactly how it came about, but in less than five minutes time Mr Caucus had the handcuffs on, and for the present at any rate, there would be peace for the glazier's diamond and sundry other suspicious looking tools they afterwards found on him. He adopted a most superior manner all through, affected perfect willingness to go with them to tho nearest police station, and did not fail to remind them that their action in arresting him was punishable by law.

Feeling confident that, search how they might, they would find nothing in his house — or garden, for the matter of that — he had no doubts of ultimately proving his innocence.

Before leaving the bush one of the policemen sounded a whistle, which brought up their companions. Their part oE the proceedings was to fetch " the old woman," as one oE them impolitely styled the quiet, respectable looking Mrs Caucus, and the two wore marched off ignominiously. The worst part oE it all to your humble servant was giving evidence in the police court. Moreover, I could only tell the uavarnished truth, which proved enough to convict this unhappy pair.

Poor Mr Caucus is still number something, but Mrs was acquitted, for which 1 felt glad on account of her children, and, without more moralising, let us hope they have come to the conclusion that housebreaking i.-S to say the least, a risky undertaking. As the constable surmised, the rewards offered in many cases were considerable, and the&e fexl to aae, with many very polite lettcis of thanks, and in some cases invitations to different parts of the country, so glad were the writers to once more hold their possessions.

It transpired hi the evidence that Caucus used to follow the occupation of itinerant glazier, which formed an admirable pretext for actually entering the houses where he mended windows.

I never heard whether the mask played an important part in any of his other transactions, but I received a look of anything bat worship from the female prisoner when I

produced it in court and related the little tapping episodes.

I have it in my possession yet, and if any one still doubts tke existence of " Old Fibre," I give them a most cordial invitation to come and examine it.