252 Old Stories
where I now stand. I was killed by my father four years ago, and if you will blast this rock you will find my bones.”
This story ran through all the country round, and created great excitement. Every day, for some time afterwards, loads of people, not only from Ireland Parish, but from towns quite distant, wended their way thither, inquiring the way to the “ghost place;” and when night came on people would make a long detour rather than pass the spot, and run the risk of meeting Tim’s uneasy spirit. Money was raised to continue the quarrying until Tim’s skeleton should be brought to light, but no bones were found; and after the overseer had gotten out what stone he wanted, the work lagged and was discontinued.
Was this humbug or not? A certain old lady used to say:—
“Where folks believe in witches, witches air;
But when they don't believe, there are none there.”
In this case there was wide belief that Tim was murdered, and that his ghost did really appear.
