St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-11-15

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declared his intention TO fire at any unusu-
al object, he wished them pleasant dreams
laughingly. and closing the only door IF
the haunted room after him, be reconnoi-
tered BY looking under the bed and out Of
the window, which is at some distance from
the ground, and then, to the dismay Of the
outsiders, who in their stocking feet listen
ed to the whispered report of one Of their
number who was stationed at the key hole,
he placed his chair against the door and
sat down there, efectuahyi barring all en-
trance, to anything bodily, without his
knowledge. ;:"@ wI~@= -".~a bis -
s4i "The stocking-footed council was in con-
sternation. Some of the members had al
ready suggested giving itlup as bad job,
and the only medical student in the party
paused in handling the brush, although the
skeleton had by no means his full compile
ment Of bones but after some considera-
ton, ladder was proposed in connection
with the window the idea was approved
of; and two Of the party booted and started
for the gardener s ladder, which was silent
ly raised against the window. By this
time Morton had his bones anatomical.y
depicted on his exterior,: and all that re-
NAMED was to wait until George dozed. +,
GAS George had resolved to keep awake
at least till midnight he had taken book,
but as the hour Of twelve approached, he
laid hebook aside and handled the pistol;
presently he put that down, and began to
consider the evidence -corroborating the
appearance of spirits. He could not deny
that there was strong testimony in favor Of
the theory but the thought that if the
phantom had the power toinjure him, such
4 course would be contrary to Justice, re-
assured him. Yet the stiffness and vague
feeling Of expectation were depressing, and
it was with afeeling Of relief that he heard
the drawing-roonl clock strike twelve
tNow then, thought he, for something; ;
but as the watching hour passed by and
nothing appeared; his only feeling was one
Of vexation that he should have volunteer
ed to lose his rest, althoug gh it was some
consolation to know that Lucy had prom
ised to keep awake this led to another
series Of thought and castle building until
the welcome sight Of George nodding, was
presented to the strained eyes, or rather
eye Of the watcher, who Immediately COM
municated the intelligence to the plotters,
most of whom were by this time asleep in
the most comfortable positions which the
chairs, the staircase, and the floor permit
ted. After several starts and Intellectual
attempts to keep awake, George let his head
drop upon the table. !. ~. Fl:
:"The time for action having come, the
skeleton climbed the ladder rather anxious
ly, crept in at the window, and cautiously
approached the table, substituted for the
pistol lying upon the table, the other one
Of the pair, and which, Of course, was mi
nus a bullet. Having concealed the load
ed pistol and taxed his position, all that re-
mained was for George to be Awakened
As, Morton was co,lsiderip g about some
ghostly means of doing this, he wasssaved
the trouble by the dog which had followed
him to the foot of the ladder, and which,
becoming impatient at his absence, began
to bark. At the first sound George started,
saw the figure, passed his hands over his
eyes, and making the object ont more dis
ttnctly, he seized the pistol and started up
with the challenge: who's there?' Al
though Morton was itching to make a
speech he remained silent, while George,
speaking somewhat hurriedly, said: tIf
you are human, ] advise you to throw aside
your disguise, for + will certainly fire at
you; if you are not of this world-why
III have shot at you at any rate ! Re
ceiving no answer, he steadily took aim,
saying, Il will FIRE at the word three, and I
never miss my aim, One-two-thre =
The pistol went off harmlessly, Of course,
but with result upon George entirely un-
looked for being sure Of his aim; he could
not account for the figure not only being
unhurt, but now even. approaching him
steadily his feelings seemed wrought up
to afrenzy, and almost IS quick as thought
he thrust his hand into, the breast of his
coat, drew small pocket pistol, the exist
ence of which no one had dreamed Of, and
before word Of, warning could be spoken,
he had fired full at Morton, who dropped
down dead at his feet; TkGsTEG4H
u "Meanwhile, the outsiders impatiently
awaited the denoaensenndt. They had heard
George speak and then fire, and while they
were ,hesitating about entering, they heard
the second report, and their hearts sunk at
the sound ); they rushed in; and found their
worst fears realized. AS they raised the
body, one Of them said :: Poor Stephen
.Merciful sGod!4 exclaimed George, 'my
friend fiji brotherr 70 But cannot de-
pct the heart t-rending scene, perhaps you
can picture It to yourself; ''1os @oa st.7f5