All claimed to have lived on
the earth before they entered the land of ghosts, but none were
apparently as strong and healthy as the old original fire fiend of the
cottage, who now gave the name of Bob Nickle, and said that when he
lived on the earth he had been a shoemaker. The ghost who called himself
Peter Cox, claimed to be a relation of Esther's, and said he had been in
ghost land about forty years; he was a quiet old fellow, and did all he
could to prevent Bob Nickle and Maggie Fisher from breaking the articles
which they threw, and from using profane language, a habit in which
_they_ were fond of indulging.
Dr. Alward and his scientific friends also conversed with the ghosts by
calling over the alphabet, the ghosts knocking at the correct letters,
and in that way long communications were spelled out to the satisfaction
of those present.
After remaining in Saint John about three weeks, Esther returned to
Amherst, and accepted an invitation to visit Mr. and Mrs. Van Amburgh,
who reside about three miles from the village. She remained eight weeks
with them, during which period the ghosts allowed her to enjoy the calm
repose of a life in the woods, the Van Amburgh farm being literally
situated in the woods.
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