''The Eerie Figure That Stood By Their Side''

In the late evening of early spring, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Jimmy and Joe found themselves at the crossroads of friendship and a curious encounter. Their neighbor, Mary, had lived alone on her farm since her husband's passing two years ago. Although they had no children, Mary managed to maintain her small piece of land, tending to a modest herd of cattle, a flock of sheep, and a patch of various crops, with potatoes being a staple. The trio had spent the early evening together at Joe's home, sharing stories and laughter.

As the evening wore on, Jimmy decided it was time to return home. The visit had been brief, just a quick catch-up with his friend Joe. Jimmy's own life wasn't easy; he had no work at the moment and limited funds to support his wife and three young children. Joe, thoughtful as always, couldn't help but ponder Jimmy's financial struggles.

After all, potatoes were plentiful on the farms in their rural community. Many of them would go to waste, left to rot in forgotten heaps on the waste ground. Joe had an idea. He proposed to Jimmy, "Why don't we grab a few potatoes from Mary's pit? They're still in the field, and it's common practice to store them there until late spring. She probably wouldn't mind, and it would help you feed your family."

Jimmy hesitated, knowing it wasn't right to take it without asking, but he also understood their dire circumstances. Reluctantly, he agreed, and the two friends set off with a small sack, just enough to provide for a dinner or two.

By the time they reached Mary's field, the darkness had settled in. Only faint outlines were visible, and one could barely recognize a person if they weren't too far away. They found the pit of potatoes, thatched with rushes and covered with clay to preserve them from the harsh winter frost.

Joe whispered, "I know it's not right, Jimmy, but I'm sure Mary wouldn't mind helping out a poor neighbor with a family to feed."

As they began selecting potatoes, a strange feeling washed over them. Suddenly, Joe noticed a figure standing a few feet away in the dark. He nudged Jimmy, his voice trembling with unease, "We need to go, Jimmy."

Jimmy also saw the figure but couldn't make out who it was. Joe insisted they leave with what they had. "I'll come with you tomorrow to explain," he promised.

After exchanging hasty goodbyes, they hurried back in the direction of their homes, their hearts pounding with a mix of fear and curiosity.

The next day, Joe knocked on Jimmy's door and was warmly invited inside. Ellen, Jimmy's wife, offered him a mug of tea, which he gladly accepted, still unsettled by the events of the previous night. After taking a sip, Jimmy couldn't contain his curiosity any longer and asked Joe about the mysterious figure in the field.

Joe began to recount the eerie encounter, "I couldn't see his face, Jimmy, but I recognized the clothes he was wearing. There was a gold chain hanging from his waistcoat, and the moonlight made it stand out in the dark. It was Mary's husband, the one who passed away. He didn't seem too pleased with us helping ourselves to his wife's potatoes."

Jimmy was taken aback, struggling to wrap his head around the strange story. He had seen the figure too, and while it was unnerving that it hadn't approached them, he couldn't fathom why Mary's late husband would appear like that.

Shivers ran down their spines as they contemplated the inexplicable encounter. Jimmy wondered aloud, "What should we do, Joe? Should we confess to Mary?"

Joe advised against it, concerned that revealing the ghostly visit might upset Mary even more than the potato pilfering. "Let's leave it be, Jimmy. Sometimes, it's best to let the past remain in the past."

Years passed, and Joe, Jimmy, and Mary all eventually passed away, taking their secrets with them. Yet, the story of their ghostly encounter persisted, growing more elaborate with each retelling. It became a tale told by family and close friends, evolving into a local legend. And while time may have blurred the details, the mystery of that night in Mary's field lived on.

Generations later, some still passed through that very field on nights, wondering if they too would catch a glimpse of the ghost that stood by their side.

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