Short Story: Putney Mountain In Alleghany Mountains

With it being Saturday and Ruth knew she wasn’t working today, she hit the snooze button for another five minutes when the alarm went off. Although, she was eager to visit her grandfather, she decided to see him after her trip to Howardsville.
During her last few visits to see him in the Mountaineer Nursing Home, he told interesting stories about Putney Mountain and Howardsville, a mining town forty miles southwest of Charleston in the Alleghany Mountains. Being a young reporter, Ruth wanted to jump-start her career by writing a fascinating story about a true haunted town. Stumbling out of bed, she turned on the coffee pot, before going to the shower. Afterwards, she dressed in her low, cut red top, tight denim jeans, poured a cup of coffee and

Would there be something else?”
“Thank you, not right now,” Ruth said, and looked at her watch. “Guess I can wait.”
“What brings you to our town?”
“I want to hike the tallest mountain in the area,”
Gazing at Ruth in amazement, Max wondered why she wanted to hike the tallest mountain in the area. “Putney Mountain’s the tallest one around,” Max said. Bending down, she whispered, “Young lady, go home and stay away from this place.” Crossing her arms on her chest, she rubbed her upper arms and stared at Ruth,
“Is something wrong?” “Just free advice, hope you will pay attention,” Max said. Having lived in Howardsville for years, she knew about the legends surrounding the town, as well she knew the locals didn’t like anyone from out of town snooping around. She also knew the young woman had no business going near Putney Mountain.
“What are you saying? Does it involve bears or ghosts?”
“The mountains are full of bears, but I have no idea what you’re talking about a ghost.” Although, she knew about the ghost of miners killed in the mines, she refused to tell Ruth.
“Are you sure? There’s always a ghost tale in a mining town,” Ruth