The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1863-07-25

any such things as ghosts, here was the
place they would be most likely to make
themselves manifest. Even Nature herself
seemed to lend her aid to the plot; there was
just enough dim light from the stars to rem
der the darkness visible, aud the autumn
wind sighed through the tree-tops with a
gentle moan, like the wall of some one in
pain.
Finally. Jack Stone-the one who had
planned the scheme commenced relating.
for Bryant's especial benefit, the most true.
though intensely horrifying tale of the
Beaver Dam Ghost, drawing somewhat
literally upon his imagination. embellisbing
his narration to SUIT the occasion, with sun
dry facts which had never been heard of be-
fore, and which indeed existed only in the
prolific fancy of the narrator, concluding
with the remark, that when it appeared a
small bell was always heard to ring, and
that they were in the exact place where the
ghost bad been repeatedly seen.
with bat!'' stammeled Bryant, his teeth
chattering, and his whole frame quaking
with dread, while his face heightened as he
spoke, ''you d-don't think. we'll sec ghost
to night, do you?'
There's no telling" solemnly returned
Stone; cit doesn't always appear when peo-
pie are passing by here, but it generally
does" The man with the bell had slipped
behind sometime previous. and by swiftly
making circuit had gotten in front of the
party, and stood behind large tree, ready
to play his appropriate part upon the stage
of action, when the proper time arrived.
Ting a-ling-ling," at this moment jim
gled the bell, causing Bryant to suddenly
stop, while the rest continued walking slow
ly ahead, as though they had not heard the
sound.
Didn't you hear something's" anxiously
inquired Bryant. endeavoring to appear self
possessed, while the tremulous tones of his
voice belied his assumed GOODNESS.
"No, nothing" they all replied.
"Ting- ling ling ling" sounded the bell,
this time with considerable emphasis, and in
startling proximity to the advancing party.
''There tits again-didn'ty you hear that?"
whispered the terrified Bryant
"What was it, what diditsouud like?' in
quired Stone, nearly choking with suppress
ed laughter. 100 .s
"Ththe bell-ghost," was all Bryant
could utter, if his life had depended on it.
"Where did the sound appear to come
FROM" said Stone, earnestly.
bright h-there," returned Bryant point
ing with his finger: and, before he had
taken down his hand, tie bell jingled again,
while at the same instant a tall figure, in
white, with its arms extended, was seen
slowly approaching through the trees.
One glance was sufficient for Bryant, and
with the exclamation, 80 Lord, murder,
ghost!" he gave spring in the air and turn
ed to run.
He made few leaps on the backward
track, when his foot struck root, and over
and over he rolled, giving a specimen Of
ground and lofty tumbling. that would have
done credit to a professional performer in
the ring of a circus. Jack Stone and the
man with the bell, who were at his heels,
fell over him, the bell giving another fright.
full jingle as it rolled away in the bushes.
Bryant sprsng to his feet, with cry o.
dismay, and without a look backward started
on his way towards the village, at rate @
speed that nothing but terror could have en-.
abled him to attain, while the rest of the
party followed in the rear. A single glance
at the flying form of Bryant from those be
hind, revealed to them something white
streaming in the wind, which established
beyond the possibility of doubt, the fact
that Bryant in his fall had torn his pants sc
badly as to place them beyond aid from the
remediable skill of any knight.
After running some distance, Jack Stone
took compassion on the frightened youth
hallooing for him to stop, the shout only in.
creased his speed, if that were possible, aud
on be ran at q rate which rendered it ex-
ceedingly difficult for those following, who
we're all good runners, to keep pace with
him. Soon the lights from houses along
the road began to appear, and the party al
length reached the vicinity of the house Of
the father of Bryant's inamorata, which was
located in the outskirts oftbe village. The
light shown brightly from the house; and ii
being pleasant autumnal evening, the door
stood invitingly open.
In rushed Bryant as to haven, without
knowing or caring whittier he was going