The Ghost in the Mill

One of the most notable techniques of Harriet Beecher Stowe's short story fiction was her ability to create characters who told colorful stories. One such character was named Sam Lawson of Oldtown, Massachusetts. Sam was a highly revered storyteller among the hard-working country folks of his New England community. He was a simple fellow with a vernacular dialect that reflected his lack of education but was strong in common sense. He took the opportunity on several occasions to wiggle in a moral teaching to the young boys who listened attentively to his tales. In "The Ghost in the Mill", the boys demanded to hear the story they called "Come down, come down." A story Sam acquired by a very respected member of his community named Cap'n Eb, who relayed it to his wife Lois and she told it several times. It was a story the boys heard again and again and possibly hoped Sam fumbled his words so they could correct him.