The Ghost of Miles Quint

The people of this town are optimistic and excited when the very wealthy and highly decorated Colonel Brennington and his two sons return from their service in England.  The people have been consumed by the threat of evil and witchcraft and they are encouraged that the Colonel will bring stability and guidance to their town.  One man who is not happy upon the return of Colonel Brennington is Miles Quint.  Miles is a schoolteacher and is a good and honest man.  He is suspicious of Brennington because Brennington had a tense standoff with Mile’s father years earlier regarding the older Quint’s land.  Due to its size and location in the town, The Colonel wanted this land for himself and Quint would not sell it to him.  Miles blamed Colonel Brennington for his father’s suspicious and untimely death.

Colonel Brennington still has his sights on the Quint property.  He knows Miles will not sell it to him so he uses his power and influence to have Miles tried for practicing witchcraft.  Since the Colonel convinces Dr. Higginson to testify against Miles in court and the fact that his son is the town’s Judge, he has no problem convincing the Magistrate to convict Miles for sorcery.  Miles is immediately taken into custody and his wife, Sarah and son Andrew are told they must vacate their home and forfeit their land.  Miles gives a stern warning to Colonel Brennington to leave his land and family alone or he will place a curse on the entire Brennington family.

Colonel Brennington acquires the Quint property and has a grand house built on the property.  Shortly after moving in, he is visited by the Ghost of Miles Quint.  The haunting is so intense that it causes the Colonel to have a heart attack and die.  The property is then passed down to the Colonel’s son, Judge Brennington.  Not only does he relish his inheritance but also he wants Rebecca, Andrew Quint’s love interest.  His greed and arrogance leads to the Ghost of Miles Quint coming to him and haunting him to death as well.

Mason Brennington, the Colonel’s third and only remaining son, now inherits the land and family wealth.  He is overjoyed at his good fortune but his celebration is cut short by the appearance of the Ghost of Miles Quint.  Mason, being somewhat cowardly and too afraid to die, begs to negotiate with the Ghost.  The Ghost of Miles Quint demands that the Brennington land be deeded back to the Quint family and in return he will let Mason live.

The Quints regain their property, tear down the Brennington manor and rebuild their modest but comfortable house.  With his name, reputation and land being restored, the curse is lifted and Miles can now rest in peace.