Back Along The Old Track by Sam Hicks

[@missmouse20]

Loved this!

[@yesterdayitrained]

I think the last lines of the story speak to a universal truth. People have the ability to accommodate themselves to almost anything, especially when they have (or feel they have) no other choice. And it often befits them to ignore certain things. Very well narrated, as usual!

[@larrybills1564]

Love to listen to stories. You have a great voice for reading stories. LB from Cincinnati Ohio

[@ClassicGhost]

Thanks for listening. Thanks for your nice words Larry

[@shadownet3d]

A great story. I enjoy the commentary afterward as well.

[@jbos5107]

Y'all going to laugh but right before the video started in my mind I imagined an old fashioned MC introducing the story with "And now with the dulcet tones of Tony Walker." You might have to be from a older generation to get that but to me my mind connected Tony's voice with an old memory I guess. I do think that Tony has that dulcet tone!

[@ClassicGhost]

I just need a good agent

[@charlotteemerson5050]

Doesn't he though.

[@teddydog6229]

He is CRAZY dulcet and make no mistake !

[@kaf890890]

A fine story, particularly scary to me. Well read by Mr. Walker. I enjoyed it even more the second time!

[@rohanquinby3188]

So so so good

[@ClassicGhost]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@barryballinger5912]

Enjoyed this. The narration was excellent thank you.

[@michelle15598]

Excellent story! I thoroughly enjoyed it ❤️

[@paulpowers4608]

You are correct in your assessment of New England. I was born in Boston, reared on "the south shore" and now reside on "the north shore" in the town of Salem. I call the north shore "haunted" - I can't describe it any other way. It's an area that just seems, to me, to resonate with a past or a hidden world secretly hiding in contemporary time.

[@ClassicGhost]

+Paul Powers I'm Coming to Salem in late July. Very Excited

[@janeerickson1840]

I really like listening to this guy's voice.

[@bethpemberton7980]

Love the voice. Descriptive tale.

[@karensmith2204]

This one was so chilling and wonderful. Great creepy story....Folk Horror.

[@geraldeenconsidine7068]

Loved this story - really creepy. Just heard you talking about the " Wicker Man" with Edward Woodward - an absolutely scary movie that really terrified me - loved it. Strange hey!

[@colemarie9262]

Love this one. Perfect folk horror.

[@ClassicGhost]

Yes, I liked this one a lot

[@savagemaxx]

That was bloody F**king Awesome!!!!!

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Ohhh This is awesome! Loved it!!

[@ClassicGhost]

Are you from Kent?

[@donaldmccleary9015]

@Classic Ghost Stories Podcast - Tony Walker No sir am not. I am from Glen Rock, Pennsylvania (United States). I hear Kent is lovely and I want to visit there some day. Rural New England and Pennsylvania in the US have the same feel at times, especially at night. Love your channel!!

[@joelzsheridancomedy3983]

Great story! Like others noted the creature is just vague enough, the story is about the fear about the moment. Wonderful narration and great story!

[@phubblewubbphubblewubb]

The joys of interbreeding in rural communities! In Dorset we still have Cyclops! Good story well narrated as ever, thank you.

[@lux.illuminaughty]

I was listening so intently and feeling so settled in the car with the narrator, the kid in the backseat, and kind of uncomfortable that Tom had gone 'round a building and out of sight that I literally jumped when Tom managed to arrive back at the car without being seen and bang his hand on the vehicle's roof. Good writing Sam, good reading Tony!

[@janetcw9808]

I am Very fond of Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons 😜. Is the quote about the locked room from Rebecca? 🤔. Kindest Wishes from over the Solway, I'm waving x

[@ClassicGhost]

Hello!! Yes I live cold comfort farm

[@JRandaII]

I LOVE "Cold Comfort Farm." I'm glad someone else knows of it, and enjoys it. And, yes, it is from "Rebecca." Which I also love...

[@stardust949]

@@JRandaII Cold Comfort Farm RULES---love it.

[@jbos5107]

I was just telling my son about Cold Comfort Farm the other day. I've only seen the movie but I really want to read the book. The movie is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. Does the book ever tell us what was going on in the woodshed? If it does I'll be buying a copy very soon!

[@janetcw9808]

@@jbos5107 Kenneth Williams did a reading of it x

[@jeffreese1828]

Cool story ! Well written and narrated . Like Lovecraft , the Horror was kept vague enough to inspire the dread of the Unknown . Also , the backward type folk always are good for creeps . Good stuff ! 💀🎱💀

[@danibissonnette1601]

A favorite folk horror movie of mine from the 1970-80s was The Secret of Harvest Home with Betty Davis. It's set in rural New England and is very like The Wicker Man. Steven King sets lots of his stories in rural New England, Pet Cemetery is one I think could be classified as folk horror. Salem's lot is a good one too. A good Folkish-psychotronic horror short story by Clive Barker is "In the Hills the Cities" definitely good reads if you like folk horror (I love folk horror) Thanks for posting your stories, Tony, they are fantastic. I quite love your folk horror ones. :)

[@davidhollyfield5148]

Thanks

[@ClassicGhost]

🙏 thank you 🙏

[@murtazaarif6507]

I love this story by Sam. You describe folk horror really well Tony. I appreciate your work. I especially like listening to slow paced ghost stories and gothic horror stories with eerie plots and settings because sensory overload is often an issue for me as someone with asperger traits. Having grown up in the lowlands of Europe I love plots and settings set within woodlands and countryside and exploring things contained within them. I imagine that in other words i am exploring my subconscious to remember and understand myself and my past though fiction.

[@ClassicGhost]

Lovely to read this. Thanks Murtaza

[@murtazaarif6507]

@@ClassicGhost You're welcome Tony. It's a pleasure to express myself.

[@ourmanf1int]

A great story wonderfully narrated.

[@gotredeemed]

Very nicely done. Thank you.

[@aarondutil3077]

You got to me…I’m now a full member!

[@ClassicGhost]

Great!

[@MariusRiley]

: Great story and narration! 10/10

[@MSYNGWIE12]

Ooo pure creepy, was holding my breath and of course the cat was. I loved it! Inbreeding - sort of Lovecraftian? Great though. Namaste, Z.

[@ClassicGhost]

Yes it was! All that hybrid warped humanity is Lovecraftian

[@thewildbirds6070]

You're right about Lovecraft. Reminded me of the Dunwich Horror

[@shroomyk]

Lovecraftian with some folk horror elements. I enjoyed that one immensely.

[@ImCarolB]

Good story! I very much enjoyed your discussion afterward. I'm a New Englander.

[@ClassicGhost]

:)

[@rayswoop4947]

I've been on my folk horror bit lately myself. Appreciate the insight of who came up with the name of the genre. 😊 Enjoyed the rambling discourse 😅

[@Bebecat477]

I love folk horror! Master storytelling! Thank you.

[@johnwhelan9663]

I liked the story. I like the fact that it did not feel modern. One clue that stands out to me is the reference to the phone in the pocket. It used to bother me that you rarely state date of the story, since that is something I like to know. But I can always look it up, and it can be fun to try to guess.

[@ClassicGhost]

I must try to remember to say when the story was published

[@rattyrachel4316]

Some of your very best narration, I must say!!!! So effortless and so very effective! A real pleasure. The story...well, I have to say the writing was excellent! Very professional and engaging, and creepy as hell. However, I spent almost the entire story trying to pinpoint what century it was set in. Yes, there was the hearse, there were cars (but of what era?), then talk of airplanes and taxis, a seatbelt for the child...but it wasn’t until almost the end of the story, when our protagonist reaches into his pocket for his cellphone that I suddenly found myself in the 21st century! (The use of the phone - or some other unambiguous clue - earlier on would have kept me from being so confused.) What do you think, Tony? Is it just me? Am I nitpicking? Did I miss something?

[@ClassicGhost]

No and I wonder whether that was deliberate to keep us removed from modern life and lost in the timeless and ancient weirdness of this place.

[@rattyrachel4316]

I see what you mean. Hadn’t thought of that.🤔

[@thewildbirds6070]

So good. Thisckind of creepo folk horror really works for me. Well read as ever Tony. Thanks.

[@beckymartin1810]

So very good, thank you!

[@claireslater6243]

I loved that, great story and even better narration Thank you

[@martiwilliams4592]

You are a master of what you do-- Narration, lighting sound, superb. I am now as much hooked on Horror as on Ghosts and Gaming. Thank you! Also for your commentary. My horizon is broadened every time. Have any stories about rural Denmark? Please continue. Thank you for all your hard work.

[@carlapomeroy3808]

Thank you for all your hard work! Listening at night is a fine treat after a long day. Enjoyed the contrast between countryside and city in this one.

[@martiwilliams4592]

ditto this time around, Tony. Masterful.!!! Thank you!!!! Love the video of you during your informative, entertaining commentay!Lots of thumbs up

[@danielbelton6264]

Thanks Tony!

[@scottmiller2591]

The family look - I knew where this was going. I enjoyed the writing and narration a lot. I liked especially the literary jump scare of the hand on the car window, coupled with the calm delivery. I've never heard of "Folk Horror" before - clearly I'll have to find more.

[@ahuddleston6512]

Loved it.

[@Gilly_Benn]

Great voice, I really enjoy listening to your story telling. I can definitely hear a Welsh accent in some of your pronunciations but there are also others in there which you’ve probably picked up on your travels. Either way, a lovely voice 🤗🇬🇧

[@ClassicGhost]

Yes, I lived in Wales for about fifteen years.

[@missy3240]

This story gave me the creeps big time! Well written, I was so tense when Tom pulled his chair closer to the fire… I kept thinking “ well the narrator is using the past tense so he must still be alive “ and then hysterically reassuring myself “right? Right he’s alive right?“ … as mentioned in previous comments… I’m one of those life time city girls who is definitely unnerved by the countryside 😂

[@ClassicGhost]

There was an interview to this that Sam didn't want broadcast but we spoke about how it is odd for me that city folks :))) get unnerved when the place is empty

[@missy3240]

@@ClassicGhost You mentioned it in your commentary and I thought "he's talking to me!" :)

[@merxeddie6474]

This like all good “ghost”stories and films this has tension and release,reassurance and threat.Thanks.The Incident At Owl Creek(Bierce) a sort of ghost story may make a good subject.

[@ClassicGhost]

You’re not the first to suggest this story

[@deniselovell1096]

Great stuff, thank you! I've just recommended this to my daughter - like me, she's a big folk horror fan.

[@ClassicGhost]

Awesome, thank you!

[@rayswoop4947]

Oh!!!! Have you ever read "The Man Whom The Trees Loved?" Oh, that is one of my favorites!! It was so unique, would so love to hear you narrate that too! Algernon Blackwood..I was so happy to come across that Author 😁

[@ClassicGhost]

Yes I know that story. I take request But I’ve got a big list of Them to catch up with

[@rayswoop4947]

@@ClassicGhost I figured so 😁 no biggie, thanks for the stories you do chose, they are completely my cup of tea👌

[@rayswoop4947]

The fiends in the furrows I've just bought on Kindle 😊 the sire of the hatchet was great, had to double back though to try to understand the whole cycle of the baby thing lol

[@marcappleton8233]

Good find. Thanks.

[@mijiyoon5575]

What a 🧶 ... an episode of the US *X~Files* was in my mind as you read this; but, I don't recall it's title ...I'm glad Sanderson survived; I hope Sanderson survived; it was said he hides at times...no wonder🙀

[@connierussell6966]

Your so awesome. Your was made to do this ♥️I love it

[@gretchenlong6449]

I like your recordings. They have a classic sound; not modern smooth sound. It fits with the classic Victorian stories you narrate. ❤

[@ClassicGhost]

That’s a very interesting and very nice thing to say

[@violetfemme411]

Really enjoying your content and narration 👍❤

[@rayswoop4947]

You ever get a chance to get ahold of The Watcher By The Threshold? You would greatly enjoy those stories, especially St Thomas's Rime with the ballad of grey weather 😁

[@mijiyoon5575]

I like the titles font & the photograph

[@XthegreatwhyX]

Very lovecraftian. I can see that family mingling with some Great Old One or Another, and carrying that legacy into modern days. Too bad that peculiar phenotype separation between the two main families isn't explored a bit more.

[@juneroberts5305]

Enjoyed the story immensely, and also the natter at the end. 😀 I suppose our (big town and city people) fear of the remote country-side comes from distant memories of all the bad or dangerous things being there - wolves, bears, fast rivers, etc. My 2 cents, but probably not even worth that. lol Did you receive my email? Wasn't to propose marriage or give you astronomical amounts of money. 😂

[@wmnoffaith1]

Well, actually no... I don't think people's fear of the remote countryside has anything to do with the things you mentioned, and more to do with the strange shenanigans people get up to, kind of like in this story. The kinds of things everyone in town along with the police know about, and strangers aren't welcome. Example: I was with a friend and my young son of 9 driving up in the Catskill region of NY State. We evidently took a wrong turn, ended up going down a remote highway when out of the bushes jump a group of guys like movie extras...with assault rifles. they approach the car, and start asking us what we want, why are we there, and tell us in a very slow quiet Clint Eastwood kind of way that if we just back out, and leave immediately our son won't get hurt, and neither will we. And we haven't seen anything. We left and our teeth chattered for a few miles, and even my son was scared speechless and didn't ask any questions. You know how there's that side of KZbin you sometimes stumble on, and you say, Uh oh, I'm in THAT side of youtube. Well, sometimes, your in THAT side of a town or state. It occurred to us later, that they could have made us and our car disappear with no trace; and we wondered how many other unfortunates had wandered down that road. I think if I had been alone with no man, I wouldn't have been seen again. I'd probably be in some captive breeding program \. This is why people fear really rural areas; because there is no law and order, just a Children of the Corn mentality.

[@charlotteemerson5050]

What are the chances of you doing the other folk horror from this anthology? Really enjoyed this one and would love to see more!

[@ClassicGhost]

They wouldn't agree to it.

[@charlotteemerson5050]

@@ClassicGhost No is an answer. Ah well, better luck next time. Thank you for responding.

[@rheinhartsilvento2576]

@@ClassicGhost 😵😒

[@justinehayward2553]

Great stuff. Sounds like Norfolk, the Burrell family.

[@Tekel-Upharsin]

Big HP Lovecraft vibes. Reminds me of The Dunwich Horror and The Shadow Over Innsmouth.

[@stockwellsantley6606]

Dammit, I was going to do this channel! I LOVE Mansize in Marble. I'm an actress, but most of these classic supernaturals are written with male protagonists; it's so unfaaaaaaiiiir!

[@Elbownian]

Brilliant

[@rayswoop4947]

If so, could you possibly narrate some of them? I wish John Buchan would have written more stories like that😁

[@Melvaius]

This really reminded me of William Hope Hodgson's House on the Borderlands. Had a similar kind of energy. Interesting you mention 2000ad have you by any chance come across Thistlebone published by 2000ad? Well worth a read, it's pure folk horror and I believe there are currently two collected editions available part 1 and 2. Some really nice artwork by Simon Davis, who also worked on Slaine. Well worth a look if you haven't already.

[@ClassicGhost]

I will look into that. I will check it out now. Oh yes, just my thing. Thanks for this recommendation. I will order it now.

[@mandolemite]

Reminds me of a village near us.

[@mariongillon6208]

Yes, Peugeot Sound, any of the out-islands. You wouldn’t think it, just off of Boston and Connecticut, but it does exist.

[@karensmith2204]

That was A-line from one of the stories I heard you read the other day

[@sparklemotion8377]

I kept thinking of a X files episode on a family of generational inbred. And maybe that thing wasn't an after birth but the birth....

[@ClassicGhost]

I remember that episode I think

[@lux.illuminaughty]

Home, the episode is called Home

[@catznjam470]

Was Sanderson simply making himself scarce until the resurrected John Sleeter was dealt with?

[@ClassicGhost]

It’s a weird one. I’m not sure

[@cnkclark]

It seems to have been left completely open to interpretation, which makes it all the more unsettling.

[@mariongillon6208]

You’ve been to New England, so you know by now that the further you go north, the more “back woods” they get……Maine, Vermont, even more than rural Massachusetts.

[@lccsd2392]

I had to laugh, our dog's favourite toy is called Jan Anderson and her least Anne Sanderson.

[@ClassicGhost]

You name your dogs' toys!!

[@davidwhelan1545]

The pub sounds like my local.

[@mamamoomin]

Interesting that this story seemed slightly back in time, until he mentioned the phone in his pocket. Of course Kent is now packed with new builds so the main character would be hard pushed to be alone on any road these days!

[@ClassicGhost]

We were in Kent in the summer and the roads were very busy. Still a lot of green though.

[@mamamoomin]

@@ClassicGhost There are still some lovely places to visit, although we are struggling down here under the volume of people moving into Kent.

[@sirmintyclack]

I would rate this story a 9 out of 10. The only reason I'm not saying 10 of 10 is the cat's whereabouts remains a mystery. I've decided that the cat is still alive and well but well hidden during the activities of certain villagers. I can't let myself think something horrible happened to the cat.

[@ClassicGhost]

The cat turned up in a town twenty miles away. Apparently it had jumped into an open carpet van and curled up. the local post mistress adopted it and renamed it Pickles

[@sirmintyclack]

@@ClassicGhost 🤣😂 I can definitely understand the cats desire to get out of that village after the snack it almost had. I definitely recommend this story 😻

[@keepitrunning]

You may find it interesting to know that apparently there's an area of Cambridgeshire known as New England. I've never been there even though I am from the neighbouring county of Suffolk. From being born and bred Suffolk. Not inbred that is. I came across this by accident almost, detective fiction is more my thing these days. Good story though, I think it might appeal to my son who is an author himself. Fantasy mostly but he and his girlfriend also like a bit of horror etc. I'll explore your page more when I get time.

[@ClassicGhost]

I do have a detective channel too

[@keepitrunning]

@@ClassicGhost Thank you. I'll check that out, I have another channel as well but most use that for full audio books. I hoped it would help me in writing my own novel but that's on hold for now anyway, not voluntarily but just how my brain works. That's a long story as such. Thank you again.

[@karensmith2204]

TONY, TONY, TONY I heard you mention creating a series oft shirts inthe future.... How about this phrase..... It's not what's outside that scares me.... it's what's inside

[@ClassicGhost]

Which one was that from again?

[@karensmith2204]

@@ClassicGhost I wish I could remember I listened to it I listened to it just the other day but it's to the other day but I binge listen to all of ,yours I'm sorry I don't remember the title of the story. I can tell you I do remember it is not a story that you wrote

[@danibissonnette1601]

I thought that the story reminded me very much of THE RATS IN THE WALLS by HP Lovecraft. I got the sense that the monster in this story was the twin of the deceased man and that the monster had to be killed when the functional twin died

[@markferguson3745]

You know you've truly arrived when you're being cyber stalked by Ukranian and Brazilian mail order brides, Tony. There are plenty of true crime channels to prove that contemporary relationships can be every bit as horrifying as anything supernatural.

[@ClassicGhost]

I don’t think they are really women

[@markferguson3745]

@@ClassicGhost And it would likely be impossible to find out without inviting some sh#tst#rm. One thing that makes much of social media ineffective as a form of communication is that you most often no idea who you're talking to. Most are opaque enough, face to face.

[@manchild4399]

Any recommendations similar to this please ?

[@mariongillon6208]

Did you ever make a T-Shirt that says, “ You tried to open the locked drawer tonight, didn’t you?”

[@ClassicGhost]

I did indeed. Somewhere on the merchandise shelf.

[@davidwhite7294]

I just thought that if anyone thinks this is somewhat far-fetched they might not if they visited the High Weald. I recall having to change trains at Robertsbridge and found it quite an odd experience.On the station there were odd looking youths standing about ,all looking similar but standing separately. It was the same in the”town”. I went to a cafe and passed a building with a sign ……Methadone Clinic…l was very happy that my train came.

[@ClassicGhost]

You should write a story about that

[@teddydog6229]

For one thing it's one of your performances. Secondly the odds of me being able to resist that title and image are absolutely nil.

[@davidwhelan1545]

Slaine, the Horned Gods, Warp spasms!

[@jeank.7527]

Can someone tell me what happened to Saunders the cat - was she kills by the ‘monster’?

[@ClassicGhost]

He was okay in the end. All the people got eaten though

[@jeank.7527]

@@ClassicGhostarrgh, I know it’s the other way round, poor old cat was never heard of again in that story 😢

[@stardust949]

I laughed out loud at the description of what the two family's features look like. Difficult to be "politically correct" with that topic---not really understanding the 'monster', but oh well! Good effort, enjoyed your reading.

[@ClassicGhost]

I've got relatives like that.

[@stardust949]

@@ClassicGhost oh hush, you do not! lol ~ regarding truly back woods, rural America---there are still tracks of wilderness here so vast they can be serious dangerous for careless people. The National Parks in our country are gorgeous and potentially deadly unless you're sensible about your hiking, camping and such.

[@cnkclark]

The nature of the two families put me in mind of the 'Innsmouth Look', and I liked the rather Lovecraftian ambiguity of the 'monster' - unknowable and unnamable, with even the most sympathetic local being utterly unwilling to acknowledge or address the true nature of the horror, leaving it to us to speculate.

[@maryeckel9682]

I have a bad feeling about poor Sanderson. Hope he just bugged out of there.

[@marisaranieri2745]

Reminiscent of an M R James story; the creature or Entity is just out of reach...devoid of identification as being something "of this world..."

[@mariongillon6208]

Tony, you’re such a Northern Man. I know you didn’t write this story, but it just felt like you meant it when you said, “ I felt better with an axe in my hand.” My husband is a Northern Man, and he strives toward the gentler nature, as you do, with you having married a woman who forages herbs and brews tinctures. So did my husband, who feels he’s married someone of a higher class than he is, but there is no such thing. He is as high a class as they come and as gentle a nature as you would admire, but if we are in danger, he feels better with a hammer in his hand. 😂

[@ClassicGhost]

+@mariongillon6208 :)) My axe is in the yard

[@gosianutjob9578]

Very Lovecraftian.

[@anneinnes5691]

What happened to the cat?🙀😹

[@ClassicGhost]

+Anne Innes the cat was fine. Its retired now And enjoying lots of cream

[@anneinnes5691]

@@ClassicGhost 👍🏻😹😹😹

[@JRandaII]

Meh...the story was okay. I still enjoyed it. I also like when you can speak in your somewhat "normal" accent...

[@ClassicGhost]

Its normalish. I don't think I do any of the stories as I actually talk. The bit at the end is my normal accent. But then I vary that too depending on who I'm talking to.

[@JRandaII]

@@ClassicGhost I agree, and I love it when it's more "yours..."

[@markferguson3745]

Meh? Well then, - come on ,sport,- write, and contribute something better.

[@JRandaII]

@@markferguson3745 how 'bout you grow-up and don't tell people what to do...sport

[@markferguson3745]

@@JRandaII I'm just playing,- don't get all pissy.

[@robynmarler1951]

Close knit lot, eh?😂😂😂

[@OssamabinKenny]

Oh wow! You sound a lot younger than you look! With all due respect that is... You look in your late forties but you sounded like you were in your early 30’s! Great story though

[@applewagon253]

A bit Lovecraftian!!

[@THEPAGEBURNER1979]

Didn’t you do another story about the same family or same name ohh yes now I remember the wandering child😂😂😂Tony you are right New England has lots of country Beautiful old old places it’s one of the best things but why fell England to name so many places after a country these people hated makes me crazy streets roads buildings ext have England names not to creative if you ask me but anyway when will you put up the living ghost story ch. I hope all is well. Are you still soon mental Heath services if so there’s millions to be made with American politicians these people are F.UB.A.R.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ClassicGhost]

Behind the Stumps . Pretty similar. I think that it wasn’t so much they didn’t like England the country they just didn’t like the government and the king but the only problem with mental health is nobody is willing to pay the staff.

[@THEPAGEBURNER1979]

@@ClassicGhost Behind the stumps I remember & yes the Government is what I meant and are people are as cheap as they come for the most part it’s middle class and poor that help the most