The Ghosts of Jacksonville

Introduction

“The Ghosts of Jacksonville” is a short story that follows the Halloween escapades of a group of boys as they set out to scare the townspeople with their spooky costumes and pranks. The narrative unfolds with humorous and suspenseful events that highlight the mischief and unintended consequences of their actions. 550 words. Written by Howard on November 3, 1920, when he attended High School. 

“The Ghosts of Jacksonville” captures the mischief and unintended consequences of the boys’ Halloween pranks, blending humor with a touch of suspense as their night of fun turns into a series of unexpected events.

Summary

The story begins with the narrator and his friends planning to scare people on Halloween night. They carefully prepare their ghastly costumes, which include a variety of spooky characters: two ghosts, a hob-goblin, Mephistocles, a Dominican friar, and a witch. Equipped with coal-black cats and jack-o’-lanterns, they set out on their mission.

Their primary target is “Crab-Apple” Piggins, a disliked and crabby old man who lives at the edge of town. The boys had previously scared him, and they intend to do so again. On their way to Piggins’ house, they pass by a house where the occupants are sitting by an open window. They decide to scare the people inside by making eerie noises and throwing a cat through the window. The cat’s yowl and the man’s scream send the boys running.

When they arrive at Piggins’ house, they hide in the bushes while the narrator attempts to place a jack-o’-lantern on the gatepost. Unbeknownst to them, Piggins is waiting with a thirty-thirty rifle. As the narrator raises the lantern, Piggins fires, causing the boys to flee in terror. The narrator narrowly avoids getting shot, and in the chaos, they get separated.

The narrator, in his panic, heads back towards town. As he passes Mr. Gosttiny’s house, he is chased by a bulldog, which forces him to run towards the gin lot. In his haste, he jumps over a fence and lands in a cold gin pond. After swimming out of the water and ensuring the dog is no longer chasing him, he heads home, where he faces reprimand for getting wet.

Characters

  • Narrator: The main character and one of the boys planning the Halloween pranks. He recounts the events of the night.
  • Bill Smalley: One of the boys involved in the Halloween pranks.
  • Crab-Apple Piggins: A disliked old man who becomes the primary target of the boys’ Halloween prank. He defends his home with a rifle.
  • Mr. Gosttiny: A town resident whose bulldog chases the narrator, adding to the night’s chaos.
  • Chums: The narrator’s friends who participate in the Halloween pranks. Their costumes include:
    • A Ghost: The narrator’s chosen costume.
    • A Second Ghost: Another boy dressed similarly.
    • A Hob-goblin: One of the boys in the group.
    • Mephistocles: Another boy dressed as the devilish character.
    • A Dominican Friar: One of the boys dressed in religious garb.
    • A Witch: Another member of the group in a classic witch costume.

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