Ernest Cassidy's Short Story

Ernest Cassidy was familiar with the tales and secrets of Putney Mountain having lived his entire life in the two story house in the quaint little town of Howardsville located southwest of Charleston, West Virginia. The town’s history was filled with myths and legends about missing people when they went on the mountain to explore the freaky activities.
Since he had grown accustomed to the rumors, Mr. Cassidy paid little attention when he heard people talking about the mountain.
One morning after eating breakfast, he washed the dishes, and went to the backyard to see his old hound. All at once a loud muffled scream came roaring through the open window. Chuckling, he went out the back door and found his hound dog, Claude waiting. “It’s a lovely morning. Guess they’re taking another one up there. That is the third one in two months. …show more content…
I won’t worry, knowing you have everything under control.” After the dog had finished eating, he went over and curled up at Mr. Cassidy’s feet. While rubbing his back, Mr. Cassidy said, “My friend, I would love to take a trip up there once more. Putney Mountain is steep and treacherous these old bones would never make it up there and back.” “Come on up here and lay beside me.” After several unsuccessful attempts to crawl upon the sofa, Mr. Cassidy helped Claude and smiled when he placed his head on his lap. While rubbing the dog’s back, he said, “Our hearing is tomorrow. They 'll decide whether to make it a historical landmark or demolish it and build something else here. I hope it is a landmark and that way they won’t make us move. It might be dilapidated, but it’s still home. If that woman gets her way they’ll demolish our castle. If they declare it a landmark, it’ll piss her off, and she’ll scream so loud she’ll knock Putney Mountain clean over into Kentucky. Guess, that’s okay,” he said and laughed as he slapped the side of his leg.
Claude’s ears perked up as if he