lane, and at the further extremity of the narrow
footpath which led to the "old mine," was another path or wagon road
which wound along among the fern bushes, under the chestnut trees,
across the hemlock swamp, and up, to a grassy ridge which overlooked a
small pond, said, of course, to have no bottom. Fully crediting this
story, and knowing, moreover, that China was opposite to us, I have
often taken down my atlas and hunted through that ancient empire, in
hopes of finding a corresponding sheet of water. Failing to do so I
had made one with my pencil, writing against it, "Cranberry Pond,"
that being the name of its American brother.

Just above the pond on the grassy ridge stood an old, dilapidated
building which had long borne the name of the "haunted house." I never
knew whether this title was given it on account of its proximity to
the "old mine," or because it stood near the very spot where, years
and years ago, the "bloody Indians" pushed those cart-loads of burning
hemp against the doors "of the only remaining house in Quaboag"--for
which see Goodrich's Child's History, page--, somewhere toward the
commencement. I only know that 'twas called the "haunted house," and
that for a long time no one would live there, on account of the
rapping, dancing, and cutting up generally which was said to prevail,
there particularly in the west room, the one overhung with ivy and
grapevines.

Three or four years before our story opens a widow lady, Mrs. Hudson,
with her only daughter, Mabel, appeared in our neighborhood, hiring
the "haunted house," and, in spite of the neighbors' predictions to
the contrary, living there quietly and peaceably, unharmed by ghost or
goblin. At first Mrs. Hudson was looked upon with distrust, and even a
league with a certain old fellow was hinted at; but as she seemed to
be well disposed, kind, and affable toward all, this feeling gradually
wore away, and now she was universally liked, while Mabel, her
daughter, was a general favorite. For two years past, Mabel had worked
in the Fiskdale factory a portion of the time, going to school the
remainder of the year. She was fitting herself for a teacher, and as
the school in our district was small, the trustees had this summer
kindly offered it to her. This arrangement delighted me; for, next to
Nellie Gilbert, I loved Mabel Hudson best of anybody; and I fancied,
too, that they looked alike, but of course it was all fancy.

Mrs. Hudson was a tailoress