23) “The Crime of Micah Rood” by Elia W. Peattie
Plot:
In the early 18th century, in eastern Connecticut near the Shetucket River lived Micah Rood, “a solitary soul,” who “occupied a low, tumble-down house, in which he had seen his sisters and his brothers, his father and mother, die. The mice used the bare floors for a playground; the swallows filled up the unused chimneys; in the cellar, the gophers frolicked, and in the attic, a hundred bats made their home.”
In contrast to his poor housekeeping, his garden flourished, particularly his apple trees. One tree bore amber apples with pure white interiors.
Despite his solitary nature, he liked the local children and often gave them apples from his other trees. The amber apples he sells for “siller” (silver).
On a rainy day in January, a man comes to call with papers, telling Micah he has until the first of May, but no more grace.
In the spring, Geoffry Peterkin, a well-known peddler, makes his way through the village. He stops at Rood’s place to check it out and stays the night. He’s carrying luxury items to sell and gold that customers have paid him with. He seems to know a lot about Rood’s financial situation. He’s doing everything but measuring the windows for new drapes.
Thoughts:
That spring, the amber apple tree blossoms pink. And the apples appear with a red spot in white flesh. In some, the spot is just under the skin. In others, it’s near the center.
Author Peattie is retelling an old New England legend. The apples with the flecks did exist, disappearing sometime in the mid-19th century. They were known as Micah/Mike Roods, or sometimes just as Roods. The historical Micah Rood was born in 1653 and died in 1728. He was never tried for or convicted of murder.
In some versions of the tale, he hangs himself in the tree under which the remains of the peddler are buried. In others, the peddler is never found, or conversely, found with his skull split open the day after spending the night at Rood’s farm. So, were there some hinky goings-on? Or did the story appear to explain the odd-looking apple? Take your pick.
The author tells her story in ornate nineteenth-century prose, with “thee” and “thou” in the dialogue. However, she sets up a motive for the murder and builds the suspense nicely. Micah’s character changes. The deed haunts him. No ghost appears, but the visual reminder of the altered apples won’t let him escape.
This is a good old-fashioned horror story with a sad ending. I liked it.
This story can be read here:
I could find no readily available audio copy of this story.
Bio: Elia W. Peattie (1862-1935) was a journalist and writer who wrote travel and children’s works but is now best known for her myriad ghost stories. Her husband was also a newspaperman.
Title: “The Crime of Micah Rood”
Author: Elia W. Peattie (1862-1935)
First published: The Cosmopolitan, January 1888
Length: short story
