The Deserted Cottage

THE DESERTED COTTAGE

A soft rain fell on the sand at the oceans edge. A gentle wind blew foaming waves to rest quietly on the sand in front of the old deserted cottage. Ingelside, the old deserted cottage, sat in what splendor it had left, at the top of the steps that led to the beach. Ingelside had sat there in all its glory over the years, weathering all the storms and even a hurricane, which had tipped it from its foundation.

Many happy summer days had been spent by the family of the old cottage, and now the children were grown, and their children. As the cottage grew in age, so did the family. Until only a few old people were left, that still remembered those happy days of their youth.

Do ghosts of the past reside in the old deserted cottage now? It would be nice to think that the children still ran through the rooms when the gentle rain fell against the windowpanes, or ran down to the beach when the sun gleamed down from the heavens.

“We really need to tear this monstrosity down,” Ray told his wife. “We could probably get some money for the land, once the cottage is gone.”

Ellen could almost hear the old cottage weep at hearing his words, as she ascended the steps to the once beautiful veranda. A few tears ran down her old eighty-seven year old cheeks as she remembered her youth once again. The steps creaked under her weight and threatened to break as she stepped onto the porch.

“You shouldn’t go up there Ellen,” he told her as he grabbed her arm. “It looks like the wood is rotting away.”

Ellen paid no attention as she walked across the groaning floorboards to the back door and pushed on it, willing it to open once again. One of the hinges had come off the door and it took both of them to push it open. “We aren’t as strong as we use to be,” she said smiling at him. Walking slowly into the living room she saw an old easy chair still sitting there. It was ancient when she was a girl, and she rubbed her leg were she still had the scar from the square nail that stuck out from the leg. The rest of the furniture had been removed years ago.

Slowly Ellen moved into the old kitchen were a wooden table and a few chairs still sat in front of the window. Along the wall was an iron, wood burning cooking stove and an icebox. She looked at the icebox and a smile spread across her face. “Children today wouldn’t even know what that is, Ray.” She ran her hand gentle over the cold iron of the stove that had once cooked so many meals for all of them. They had talked about buying a new electric stove, but grandma made it known she would not cook on one of those new contraptions.

“Look at this Ellen,” Ray called to her. “The railing of the stairs is laying in the hallway. The plaster has come off the walls and the boards underneath are starting to rot away. I’m afraid the place is going to have to come down.”

“We could fix it up for the family Ray.”

Ray led her gently out the door and across the veranda and down the steps. “Uncle Williams is the only family left Ellen,” he reminded her, “and his mind is gone. Sadly he has no children and neither do we.” He kissed her lovingly on the cheek as the tears poured down her old withered face. Ray only remembered the smooth beautiful skin of her youth and a tear dropped from his eye.

They both knew the old deserted cottage was going to come down. They said not a word to one another as they headed for the car and home. Ellen turned and watched the old cottage out of the back window until it was no longer in sight.


Rothman Investment Company was driving along the beach road when the two men in the car spied the old cottage. “Let’s check it out.” Pulling up to the cottage they stopped the car and got out. :”If the foundation is sound, it might be worth fixing up for a profit.”


Ingelside once again sprang to life as the carpenters arrived, followed by the men who began plastering up the walls. The old stove and icebox were replaced with an electric stove, and refrigerator. Months later when summer arrived, the sounds of happy children echoed through the halls. The beach area was filled with sand castles and swimmers in the ocean. The old deserted cottage was deserted no more.