A Mystical Story "The Distant Clank of Keys"

There is a popular myth about a grocer named John Komrad, who lived in the XIXth century. John was the only grocer throughout the Krivens Hall. He liked his labor, and it has never been a burden for him. Hundreds of people bought his products and never complained about their quality.

One day, Earl Krivens has decided to have a feast. He needed a grocer. He telegraphed his intentions to Mr. Komrad. He seemed never willing to execute Earl`s orders, because everyone knew that he was very angry, ruthless and cruel man. But, also, he was a man of undoubted importance, so John executed all his orders. Mr. Komrad brought all the products on time, took the money and was going to go home, but for better or worse he has met his old friend Tom Sappers. They have decided to go to the pub to talk about their lives and to celebrate the meeting.

On John`s journey from the pub a terrible storm has started. John has remembered that his way goes through Krivens`s estate and hurried there. On his request to spend the night in his house Earl  laughed wickedly and said that the grocer, a man of a lower class, would not sleep in his house.

"But sir, - begged John – there is a terrible storm, rain and strong wind outdoors. Please, allow me to wait out the storm in your house. When it's over, I'll go at once. "

"I will give you the keys of the shed - you can spend the night there, if you find them". 
Earl laughed, threw the keys into the decorative pond, located in the yard, and slammed the door.

John was extremely indignant and humiliated by the act of the Earl, but he had no choice. Mr. Komrad was searching for the key in the pond for a brief time, but as soon as he had found them, the lightning hit directly at him, and he fell dead.

People of Krivens Hall buried their favorite grocer for their own money, because he hadn`t a family, but the Earl did not give any penny. Since then, the Earl had nightmares, he has lost his appetite and suffered by visions and hallucinations. The servants said that it was his punishment by the ghost of John Komrad. They often heard a distant clank of keys because of which, as they claimed,  the grocer had died. One month later, the Earl was found dead. He has drowned in the decorative pond in the yard.