Peacock’s Ghost United StatesLouisiana TypePad孔雀的鬼美国路易斯安那TypePad.pptxVIP

Peacock’s GhostUnited States-Louisiana From a Terrifying Taste of Short and Shivery Retold by Robert D. San Souci Not long ago, a young man named John Peacock lived in New Orleans. One day he learned that he had inherited a farm from a distant cousin of his. The farm was in the Louisiana backcountry. This came as a surprise, since his cousin had lived all his life in Europe and had never spoken of such a thing. In any case, John was eager to drive up and see what the farm looked like. But the place, called Peacock’s Farm, was miles away, where roads were poorly marked, if at all. John soon became hopelessly lost trying to find the farm. At a crossroads, he saw an old woman, sitting in a rocker on the sagging porch of a crumbling house. Behind the house were the remains of a barn and a shed, choked with brambles and vines. The woman was wearing an old white shift, and her uncombed white hair gave her a wild look. Since there was no one else around, the young man parked his car and strolled to the porch. “Can you tell me how to find Peacock’s Farm?” he asked. “I kin tell you,” the woman said. “But you don’ want ter go thar.” “Why not?” John asked. “The place belong to me now.” “Mebbe. Mebbe not.” she said. “Anyhow, I got a story ter tell you. If you lissen an’ you still want ter go thar, I’ll show you the way.” John Peacock agreed; then he fanned himself with his hat as she began: “Years ago, ole man Peacock died an’ lef a heap o’ property ter his chillun. An’ he give ev’ry one a farm. There was one mo’ farm lef’ over. ‘Twas a good farm an’ the house all furnished up, but no one did keer to live that, fer they all said the house was haanted. “One o’ the sons- Micah Peacock- said he wan’t no way a-feared. Said he could lay that ghost if they’d give him the farm. Th’ others tole him the place was his if he could lay the ghost so’s ter live thar. “Well, Micah went at night ter the house, takin’ his Bible along. He sat th