The Addison-Gandy House- Clue #4
Climbing a fence
With a gun
Can give a hole
And not much fun.
Answer:
Addison-Gandy House
After the slight quarrel about the mysterious note, the
duo and their parents eat lunch at the nearby McDonald’s. As they ate, Matthew
studied the journal for anything about where the fence may be. By doing so, he
found that the Addison-Gandy house had a past residence with an interesting
misfortune.
Leaving McDonald’s, Matthew announces his discovery to
Peter while they sat in the car, unable to decide where to search next. Matthew calls Peter to attention and slides
the journal from his lap to his friend’s.
“Sebastian wrote that someone by the name of John Bowe
Addison had an incredible mishap which was also a miracle,” Matthew explained
to Peter, who sits alongside him, “Nevertheless, this house, previously home to
John B. Addison and his spouse, Martha Pat Davis. The restoration of the house is being done
by Mr. Gandy, Mrs. Gandy, Susan, and Bill.”
“Is there a reason for Mr. and Mrs.
Gandy to restore this home in particular?” Peter suggested.
“Actually, Mrs. Gandy is the granddaughter of the
original owners of the house. Another fascinating fact is that Mr. Gandy
teaches History at Sam Houston State University while Mrs. Gandy teaches Social
Studies in Conroe,” Matthew replied, “Unique feature to this home are the
wood-graining on the doors and mantles which were crafted by a German painter
whose identity is vague. All we know is that he is memorized as Mr. Pratch.”
Peter does a silent clap of approval and inquires, “I
remember that Mr. Anderson, our previous History Teacher, taught us that Mr.
Pratch left a portrait on one of the doors on the Addison-Gandy house, as well
as another house in Montgomery known as the Davis Cottage which was built by
Pat’s Father then later expanded by her brother, John Felix Davis, in 1895.”
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Matthew attempts to remember and subsequently agrees with
Peter. A few minutes after Matthew had closed the journal due to the pair
discontinuing to chat about the house, the automobile screeched to a halt in
front of the Addison Gandy House.
Walking around the building, Peter senses a faint noise,
barely audible, radiating from a shadowed corner of the porch in front of the
home. As Peter turned to the sound, a bold fear streaks through him as he
approaches while Matthew is suddenly alarmed. Peter experiences a shock ripple
through his body just under his skin as a dark figure appears into view and a
blood-curdling screech is heard.
Freezing, Peter turns to Matthew and they signal to
approach in unison. Calling out toward the mysterious figure, the duo gets a
reply. “Hey there boys, would you like to hear a story?” The now recognizable
elderly man screamed in a worn-out, dry voice, “I’ve got a nice story in my
head today!”
Matthew whispers to Peter as he signals towards the old
man rocking in a chair on the porch, “Maybe we should listen to what he has to
say; I mean, remember the note on the First State Bank?”
“Okay, I guess we could try,” Peter nervously agrees, “However,
we need to be wary of what he says, does, or suggests.”
The friends walk swiftly up the porch steps and greet the
man while he laughs wickedly and shifts his one functioning eye to the boys,
leaving the other eye motionless, staring strait ahead.
“Why Howdy!” The man exclaims, chuckling strangely, “You
two want to listen to a story of mine?” The twosome exchanges a cautious glance
reply in unison with shaky voices.
“Yes sir, we would like to hear about your story,” they
requested, “We wish to learn more about our town’s history.”
The man nods quietly and suddenly changes his tone from
wicked to secretive. “Well, you two caught my eye because of a strange tall man
this morning who told me that a duo of young boys would be in desperate need to
hear the story of the historical residence of this small cottage,” the senior
male whispered with a wise, aged grin, “I assumed the story you two necessitate
is the tale of John Bowe Addison.”
The elder sways back in his chair and begins with a snort
of Déjà vu about that morning, “Legend tells that John Addison once went
hunting for rabbit but unfortunately, climbed across a barbed wire fence.”
Peter interrupts and exclaims, “That’s it! That is the incredible
mishap that Marcus Sebastian mentioned!” As Peter’s face lightened, his expression
gave way to the excitement that he had been burying under with his
suspiciousness and fear.
His short-lived happiness was abruptly shattered by
Matthew as he retorted, “No, that’s not the fatal event. It was something else
that neither Marcus nor Kirk ever touched upon in the journal.”
“The accident that you two are referring to is when he
placed his firearm on the barbed wire as he hobbled over. Gripping his weapon
from atop the fence, Addison was shot in the abdomen due to the trigger being
pulled as he reached and tugged on his gun,” the elder inserted confidently,
“His intestines were temporarily removed to eliminate the bullet; however,
Addison lived to be an astounding 84 years of age and was hailed to be a
miracle.”
Amazed, the boys stood stiff and still, without words.
“That’s incredible! However, we need to know if Marcus & Kirk Sebastian
were residents of Montgomery,” Matthew questioned before Peter could speak, “We
have this journal by Marcus, and a coin with three images.”
Examining the artifacts with his one eye, the old man
shrieked, “Aha! This is it!” He scans the duo with distrust but finally breaks
the silence with a startle, “You boys must journey to four historical houses in
order to solve your mystery! I mustn’t reveal the true secret of the journal
for I am forbidden to!”
