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| PHOTO PROMPT – © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields |
She made father build this place just to spite the Coopers. It took seventeen years and he died without
enjoying the fruits of his labor. I’ll
be damned if I let her curse on Hyde Hall scare me.
Let the piano keeping caterwauling all night. She could never play a tune anyway. The cloud
of mist on the hallway and her booted footsteps may scare the ground keepers but
I still won’t move. I’ll keep the lights burning all night if I have to.
**
Written for the Friday Fictioneers Word Count : 100.
To read other bright lights from Friday Fictioneer go here.
I did some forensic examination of my own for this story, the image file name (hyde-hall-light.jpg) was the start for me. Found the link to Hyde Hall and it;s fascinating history. There is a link between Ann Cooper Clarke and the writer James Fenimore Cooper who also wrote this fascinating bit of history The Legends and Traditions of a Northern County
As far as the writing goes I am not sure how this submission goes but then I struggle with doubts over each submission. But writing this was still enjoyable due to the research I had to do.
To read other bright lights from Friday Fictioneer go here.
I did some forensic examination of my own for this story, the image file name (hyde-hall-light.jpg) was the start for me. Found the link to Hyde Hall and it;s fascinating history. There is a link between Ann Cooper Clarke and the writer James Fenimore Cooper who also wrote this fascinating bit of history The Legends and Traditions of a Northern County
As far as the writing goes I am not sure how this submission goes but then I struggle with doubts over each submission. But writing this was still enjoyable due to the research I had to do.
"She could never play a tune anyway" - this sentence in the middle of a ghost story was too funny. Nicely done story and good links to the history of the picture.
ReplyDeleteShe was no phantom of the opera :-) Thanks for reading and commenting Ansumani, I am glad you liked it.
DeleteYes, I think she should stand her ground. Nice bit of research in this.
ReplyDeleteSome say she is still around. Thanks for your comments Sandra.
DeleteOh. Ansumani took the comment right out of my keys. That line "She could never play a tune anyway" got a chuckle :D Strength to her in her endeavour!
ReplyDeleteWell it is going to be a long wait till eternity :-) Thanks for reading and Commenting Vinay, I am glad you liked it.
DeleteWonderful.. what an excellent deep dive into the history here.. great work.
ReplyDeleteThanks Björn, it turned to be an enjoyable bit of reading for me.
DeleteWhere are the mohicans?
ReplyDeleteGood piece.
The ghost scared them. Thanks for your comments Mick.
DeleteDear Subroto,
ReplyDeleteYou certainly did your homework. I took this picture last summer at Hyde Hall when we took the tour. Naturally I had 'photo prompt' in mind when I took it. I really enjoyed this one. Pitch perfect and well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I didn't expect to find so many details, the James Fenimore Cooper link to the house was an interesting one. Thanks for taking the photo, I am glad you liked my post.
DeleteAnd I thought all ghosts were musical! Nice piece.
ReplyDeleteVisit Keith's Ramblings!
Ghostly music is not on everyone's playlist :-) Thanks for you comments Keith, I am glad you liked it.
DeleteGreat voice! Rich and authentic.
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen, I am glad you liked it.
DeleteGreat story! I didn't know that this photo was taken in a haunted house when I wrote my submission. I think my psychic powers are surging! ;)
ReplyDeleteI started by googling the lights and a whole new world opened up, should have called the psychic line instead :-)
DeleteThanks for your comments Lorna, I am glad you liked it.
Nice take to the prompt
ReplyDeleteThanks Dee Dee.
DeleteI like how you've made the narrator the focus, and the ghost just an irritant - as though the mother/daughter conflict has just continued on. I love her angry determination. Very clever.
ReplyDeleteThanks Margaret, it was actually a mother and son conflict and with the Hyde Hall, believed to be “haunted” for over a century looks like it is not going to end :-)
DeleteYou keep the lights burning without me, that's scary! Nice job.
ReplyDeleteA ghost's gotta do what ghost's gotta do. Thanks for your comments Perry I am glad you liked it.
DeleteI loved that glimpse into history, and the ghostly background. Great research and writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you GaH, I am glad you liked the story.
DeleteHow very rude. Some ghosts just won't move on. They want to be the center of attention. Good story Subroto. I really didn't know when I wrote my story that this house was supposed to be haunted. Your research made it more interesting. Well done. :) --- Suzanne
ReplyDeleteIn the end the story turned out to be too interesting to ignore. Thanks for your comments Suzanne, I am glad you liked it.
Delete