Echoes Of Home: A Ghost Story by M. L. Rayner

Author:M. L. Rayner [Rayner, M. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Question Mark Press
Published: 2020-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Echoes of Home

Chapter Twenty-Four

T hrowing back his glass, a full serving slid down with one fell swig. Coull hesitated for time, nervously pecking at the fabric of the fraying armchair, until the words eventually came to mind. “Alright then.” He said, edging forward and beginning to talk.

“During eighteen forty-five, it was well documented that the lands of Elphin were mainly known for its farming community. For many years, it was said the farmers who worked the lands were content and joyful within their simple way of life. Managing to provide food and shelter for their loved ones was indeed their only priority.

“During the winter period of eighteen forty-five, the farming land was purchased by a new owner, and with this came a new set of problems. The person who now owned the lands was a man of wealth and nothing more. This very man already owned several impressive properties within the area, one of which was Elphin Cottage. His name was Peter Daily. He was considered a well-known gentleman of his time. And as I already explained, a very well thought of name within the nearest towns. To this day, it is a well-known fact that he had little time for his lower-class tenants, renting out his purchased lands to working farmers for the highest cost in the hope they would someday vacate from their homes.

“Daily would throw banquets for his rich and wealthy acquaintances on a regular occurrence, hoping to entice them to the beautiful lands of Elphin. Indeed, several higher-class families took it upon themselves to move to the surrounding cottages of the land. All the while, they looked to Daily as their advisor and friend.

“Elphin Cottage, known then as Elphin House, was newly built and located amongst the beauty of the landscape. A picture-perfect setting to anyone who happened to pass by. Though not all lodgings displayed such beauty.

“Surrounding the hillsides and wastelands were countless stone huts. These were the dwellings of the farm tenants. Many of the lodgings that came with the land were in a desperate state of repair. Some structures showed no windows, and only a tiny door was accessible into its interior. With some lodges, the roofs had caved in completely, now with little or no shelter for its paying occupants. Many of the farmers protested their struggle to their new landlord, gathering together at the gates of Elphin Cottage. But Daily showed no interest to their plea. Not only were the dwellings disgraceful, but the land provided to them was poor. The lowest-paying tenant was expected to receive the smallest patch of land by Daily. The land itself, boggy or rocky, completely unreliable for the working farmer to grow produce for the survival of his family. But still, Daily requested for his extreme rents to be paid all the same.

“Times were getting harder for the farmers. But the worst times were still to come. Darkness would spread through the lands of Elphin in more ways than one.”

I sat leaning forward, intently listening to Mr Coull’s historical tale.

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