STAVE ONE:
Marley's Ghost
"I wear the chain I forged in life,” said the Ghost. “I made it link by link, and yard by yard. I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it. Is its pattern strange to you?” The Ghost pointed out to his former partner in life, Ebenezer Scrooge, that he was in fact the ghost of Scrooge's former partner, Jacob Marley, and that Scrooge should recognize these chains, for they were forged by Marley's own pattern of chasing money and life advancement instead of giving to help those around him, and that Scrooge was currently forging that same kind of chain in his life.
"You will be visited by three more spirits," explained the Ghost. Through those visits, Scrooge still had hope to turn his rotten life around. You, the geocacher, must also heed the words of these three ghosts if you want to find this geocache. Read on, if you dare...
STAVE TWO:
The First of the Three Spirits
"I told you these were shadows of the things that have been, that they are what they are, do not blame me!" `I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.'
`Long Past?' inquired Scrooge.
`No. Your past.'
Scrooge then made bold to inquire what business brought him there.
`Your welfare.' said the Ghost.
Scrooge expressed himself much obliged, but could not help thinking that a night of unbroken rest would have been more conducive to that end. The Spirit must have heard him thinking, for it said immediately: `Your reclamation, then. Take heed.'
`Scrooge touched the palm of the Spirit, which met with its approval. "Uwrgtd."
STAVE THREE:
The Second of the Three Spirits
The room was hung with holly and mistletoe, and a mighty blaze went roaring up the chimney. Heaped up like a throne were geese, pies, plum-puddings, chestnuts, oranges, pears, cakes, and punch. Upon this food couch, there sat a jolly Giant, who held a glowing torch high up, to shed its light on Scrooge. The Spirit of Christmas Present bids Scrooge to enjoy the holiday.
“Come in!” exclaimed the Ghost, “and know me better, man!” Scrooge entered timidly, and hung his head. “I am the Ghost of Christmas Present,” said the Spirit. “Look upon me!”
Scrooge reverently did so. It was clothed in a green robe, bordered with white fur. Its feet were bare; and on its head it wore a holly wreath, set here and there with shining icicles.
“You have never seen the like of me before!” exclaimed the Spirit.
“Spirit,” said Scrooge, “conduct me where you will. I went forth last night and I learnt a lesson which is working now. To-night, if you have anything to teach me, let me profit by it. Is it your purpose that my life is opened as a book for my review?”
I wouldn't quite say review," replied the Ghost. "Dxglw."
STAVE FOUR:
The Last of the Spirits
Now Scrooge found himself in the presence of another Spirit, but one which caused him to shudder with fear much more than those previous. This Phantom approached, in a deep black garment, which left nothing of it visible save one boney hand.
“Am I in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come?” asked Scrooge. “You are about to show me shadows of the things that will happen, is that so, Spirit?” Scrooge’s legs trembled beneath him. But this spirit replied with only icy cold silence.
“Ghost of the Future!” Scrooge exclaimed, “I fear you more than any spectre I have seen. But I know your purpose is to do me good, and I am prepared to bear you company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me?”
It gave him no reply. The hand was pointed straight ahead.
“Lead on!” said Scrooge. “Lead on! The night is precious time to me, I know. Lead on, Spirit!”
The Phantom moved away.
They were in the heart of the city, amongst the merchants who hurried up and down, and chinked the money in their pockets, as Scrooge had seen them do often.
The Spirit stopped beside one little knot of business men, pointing to them, Scrooge advanced to listen to their talk...
“No,” said a great fat man with a monstrous chin, “I don’t know much about it. I only know he’s dead.”
“When did he die?” inquired another.
“Last night, I believe.”
“What has he done with his money?”
“I haven’t heard,” said the man with the large chin, yawning. “It’s likely to be a very cheap funeral, for I don’t know of anybody to go to it.”
“I don’t mind going if a lunch is provided,” laughed one gentleman.
Scrooge knew the men, and looked towards the Spirit for an explanation.
Scrooge fancied that the Unseen Eyes were looking at him closely. It made him shudder, and feel very cold. At one point it appeared that this Phantom opened its mouth, but Scrooge, shaking in fear, seemed to hear but one thing. Xlyrhiv.
STAVE FIVE:
The End Of It
You likely know one version or more of this full story of a rotten old miserly businessman who, in the end, is able to turn around and transform his rotten life, thanks to the visits of his former business partner and three other ghosts. But back to your welfare - as you heed the words of the three spirits you can turn around your fortunes also.
Once you think you have the solution, make use of the certitude checker to confirm you have what you need.
You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.
FTFers from event night
