Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-06-05

and cross the new plowed field. H
turned to go, when 10! about thirty yard
or less, behind him he beheld anothe
form exactly like the first, only 1t seemet
to have head, and eyes like balls o
fire. A sickening chill passed ovel
him; his teeth chartered as he behelc
the form advancing, the head protrud
ed toward him. With one bound b,
cleared the path and sped off as swif
as an arrow from between the tive
spectral forms. He bounded over thu
plowed ground, sinking at every leap
He knew nothing clearly until he Wa
safe in his own room. And now hav'
ing time for reflection, he began tC
soliloquize thus, "Was it really 9
ghost? Yes, it certainly was, but il
was cowardly in me to run, if even Il
we're ghost" and striving to laugh
the matter off, be retired.
The next morning he did not rise as
early as usual, in fact he did not waken
until he was called by Genie to pre-
pare for breakfast. When he entered
the breakfast room the girls noticed the
red mud on his boots, and began teas
ing him. Sarah remarked that he
"certainly had waded the pond."-
While Carrie protested that he had
fallen into Mr.. Desteile's well, which,
being almost dry, abounded in a pro-
fusion Of red clay. George said no.
thing in answer to their inquiries as to
how the mud come on his boots, but
kept unusually silent, and after making
slight meal, set of to the field to work.
Mrs. Elmer took up her knitting work,
and started to pay Mrs. Lakes long
promised visit. And now the three
girls being left alone, Sarah and Carrie
began making fun Of George and Dora,
on account of the course they were
pursuing. Genie having grown tired
of this, resolved not TO listen to it
longer, and calling to Fannie Miles, they
set out to take walk. Scarcely we're
they out of sight when Bess and Mary
Ann came rushing in almost out of
breath, and seeming well pleased on
some account. go, what is the mat
ter" cried Carrie, in anticipation of
some fun. "What have you done now,
girls?"
80, something so funny, it is too
laughable to tell"
40, do tell" said Carrie, turning
pale with excitement.
"What is it, dear?" said Sarah, lay
ing down a hand-brush which she had
been dexterously using on the -furni-.
lure, and taking hold Of the back of
chair with both hands, she leaned
eagerly forward.
Bess at length caught her breath
sufficiently to say, "Will any one hear
us?"
"No indeed, 60 on"
"Where is Genie? it would not do
for her to hear it"
"She is gone, as luck would have it,"
said Sarah, "Do go on"
"Well,you know where George went
last EVENING""
40, yes, go on"
"Well, Mary Ann and I were deter
mined TO play a trick on him for his
conduct toward Helen. So we went
home and got large gourd and cut.
holes in it for eyes,"
"Yes," said Miss Curtis, holding her
sides.
ave then went up TO our room, and
Ma thought we were in bed, but we
took candle and two sheets, and crept
down stairs, out through the kitchen,
and slipped to the grave yard"
40, is it possible" said Carrie.
"Yes, and l hid in the alders, and
Mary Ann behind rose bush at some
distance down the path, all wrapped in
our sheets. Mary Ann struck match
which she had brought along, lighted
the candle and put it in the gourd, and
oh, it did look terrible in the dark
ness"
"Did you ever" said Sarah.
81 spread my sheet around me, and
Mary Ann did the same, covering the
gourd from sight, and we waited there
about an hour. 1 began to fear our
candle would burn out, but being too
far from Mary Ann to speak, l held my
peace. Presently George came along
whistling. as large as life. When he
passed Mary Ann, Irose up; he stopped
short for a moment, then turning round
saw Mary Ann, and o, you should just
have been there. He jumped about
FIVE feet, and made off through the
plowed ground"
"He bee hee," Carrie broke in, un-
able to restrain her pent up laughter.
Whereupon her companion fell and
rolled on the carpet, as if they had
both gone mad.
When they had recovered a little,
Carrie said, Wasn't you afraid?
NO." replied Mary Ann, eve were
bent on mischief and never thought Of
fear"
"You beat ALL" said Miss Curtis.
"You must not say anything about
this to Ma or any one else," said Mary
Ann. "We will make him afraid to go
to Desteile's. But hark, Genie is here,
be num-"
The door opened and both Genie and
George entered. The girls put on
very sober face, and all went off well.
He said nothing of his fright, and soon
left the room and sauntered off toward
the little country story of Bradley d
Co. Scarcely had the sound Of his foot