This is actually a pamphlet, not a book – published by “Three Geese in Flight Books.” It’s the reprint of an edition put out in 1957 by the Woodstock Historical Society. I didn’t think I’d actually read it when I borrowed it from local entrepreneur Alan Fliegel (at his intelligent Phoenician store, “60 Main”) but I’m so pleased that I did. It’s full of creepy, uncanny tales that took place 4 miles from my house. For example:
“Over a hundred years ago, an old woman, known to all as Aunt Abby, at once terrified and fascinated the village youngsters, who in braver moments would sing in chorus, ‘Go tell Aunt Abby her old gray goose is dead.’ But possibly they lowered their voices when a chum, who grew up and became a school-teacher, told of a walk along the edge of the Woodlands with Aunt Abby. ‘Look at all the little pigs,’ said Aunt Abby. And there they were, lots of little squealing pigs, running in and out of the wild woods, far from any farm. The little girl saw them, but they were not really there!”