Ghost Story Review: "The Haunted Automaton" by W. C. Morrow

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This amusing little tale tells of an overprotective guardian, old man Erkins, and the lengths a young man will go to win the object of his affection. “Old man Erkins,” the story begins, “had three principal faults: he was rich, stingy and a hard drinker.” In his care was his niece, Alice, who happened to fall in love with a poor machinist she met at church. Upon hearing this, old man Erkins forbad her to leave the house and insulted the young machinist. He accused him of seeking her fortune rather than her affection. Should the young man ever be seen around his house or try to capture her for her quarter of a million, he would be riddled with buckshot. The young machinist, Howard Rankin, knew old man Erkins well enough to realize he had a mania for curious mechanisms and that what he wanted more than anything else was an automaton, that is, a working counterfeit man. Without talking to Erkins, he let it be known that he was working on just such a project. And when old man Erkins came calling, young Howard, indifferent, let him see it. Would he sell it? Erkins wanted to know. Oh, who would be rich enough to buy it? Why, what was Howard asking for it? A thousand dollars. Old man Erkins couldn’t believe his luck. In the course of their talk, Howard also let it slip that he planned on marrying soon. In time, the automaton was delivered to Erkins. It did everything Howard promised, even speaking a few words. It leaned forward and said, “I’m haunted…” This is a cute little story. While the surprises a few, the enjoyment is plenty. The text is available of this story is available here: _____ Title: “The Haunted Automaton” Author: W. C. Morrow (1854-1923) First published: unknown Source: ISFDB