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By: Jim Fitzpatrick |
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Email: jim@nunica.com |
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Local Farmer in Polkton Township writes for the Coopersville Observer. |
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Along Brandy Creek By Jim Fitzpatrick
The Coopersville Observer October 13, 2003 - - No. 15 |
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The headstone on the hill has the name Arnold F. inscribed into it. He has been buried there along the gully for well over a century. Not much left of him these days to be sure. A sense of days past and the spirit of his existence here on the land lingers in the air surrounding this well established resting place.
Not so many years ago a small group of farm boys passed by late one Halloween night. The road wasn't paved then and an old iron fence still surrounded Arnold's small domain. The moon was bright and full with long shadows leaning heavily across the frosty late night landscape. Jack thought it would be good fun to convince one of the younger boys to go up and stretch out in the grass next to the old man. He would even give up a good share of his bulging candy bag just to see it done. "That kind of business isn't for us", said Roger, Glenn and Jim. But Carl, he wasn't afraid of the late night or old dead guys either! At least that is what he said as he started up the incline toward the grave. Well, that was more than the rest of the group could deal with on this night of ghost and goblins. With everyone spooked and on the run, Carl come off that hill just a flyin' and couldn't catch up with the rest of his buddies fast enough.
Arnold has been there on the hill every Halloween night since, and the rest of the year too. Someone of good will has straightened up and fixed up his once cracked and leaning headstone. The old iron fence is long gone. Carl moved west when he grew up. The rest of the boys pass by Arnold in their cars these days without much thought of that long time ago scary night. |
