In a rural town, a miserly deacon hoards his wealth by burying a box of gold, refusing to trust banks. However, he forgets the location of his treasure shortly after hiding it. His relentless search leads to his demise, and he becomes a ghost, haunting the town in search of his lost gold. The spectral figure, clad in white, roams the streets at night, digging in various spots, causing fear among the townsfolk. As the ghost's presence becomes known, the town's reputation deteriorates, leading to a decline in its population. Residents flee in terror, leaving behind notices for new tenants, while the ghost continues its futile quest for the buried treasure. The narrative explores themes of greed, memory, and the consequences of obsession, ultimately illustrating how the deacon's fixation on wealth leads to his eternal unrest. The ghost's laughter at the frightened townspeople underscores the irony of his situation, as he remains trapped in a cycle of searching for something he can never reclaim. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of materialism and the futility of life consumed by the pursuit of wealth.
By James Weldon Johnson · First published 1930 · Genre: Poetry, Supernatural Fiction, Folklore