The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-06-16
YOUTHS DEPARTMENT,
THE BOY WITH STRONG NERVES.

4
get away from his classes he came To give
Jack welcome, and help him arrange his
| room.
"What! this ~
This was the exclamation uttered by
Tom, as he crossed the threshold of Jacks
| chamber and looked around with constcr
nation on his face.
"What's the matter, Tom?" asked Jack,
in surprise.
Matter" cried Tom. ado you mean
to sew this is the room they have given
you?"
Yes"
Whe-e-e-e-e-e-e e-ew"
What in the worlds the matter ?
What are you whistling about ~
60 nothing its nothing-only--I
was thinking-that they'd give you an
other one, somewhere else"
Tom stammered and hcsitated while
saying this, but Jack did not remark it.
Well, it's not bad room," said he /;
I'm glad have so good a one"
Tom had to lcsye pretty early, and
promised, as he left the loom, to be back
the following evening.
On the next evening, as they sat at
supper, Tom suddenly changed the CON
yerSation with
40, Jack, forgot to ask you how you
slept last night"
"Sound As a top" said Jack.
"Hcml Didn't you hear any-any dis
turbance?"
"No."
"No noises ?"
"My dear Tom, | was 50 far away in
the land of Nod, that no sounds from this
world could reach me-"
"And you like the room still?
"The room? Like it? OF course do
It's q first-rate room But utexplain what all
this means. Ynu have a peculiar look
whenever you speak about that ROOM
What's the matter with it? Has any one
died there of the smallpox"
"No."
"Well, what's the matter with it :"
go, never mind
"But | want to know"
+" l'll tell you some time"
"Why not now!'
"There's no necessity I'll rather not
I'll tell you in a week or So if You wish;
but you won't need me to tell you Iou
will End out soon enough yourself"
Several hours passed, and Tom was in
Jacks room, telling a ridiculous story
about one of the boys, when suddenly he
stopped short, and stared at Jack, with
his face ghastly white"
"Why, Tom" cried Jack, what in the
world is the matter with you? You
look "
Didn't you hear >" gaspcd Tom, in a
scarcely audible voice
Hear it?'
Yes-the-the-there it is again. O,
| can't stand it,
A y To a -,
up, and going over to his cousin
You're as pale as death. What's the
matter ?"
at is there" He shuddered
"Now, I'll he blowed it can make you
out at all. What do you mean?' cried
Jack.
AS he spoke, there came a dull, low
sound, like a football overhead, rather in
distinct, but regular, like some one walk
ing with mufiied tread. Over Jacks
room was large unfinished garret, ex-
tending the whole length of the building,
and Jack at once thought that some OF
the boys were up there.
Toms condition now was really alarm
ing. "Therc there that is it-that is NJ J!
he cried and, while he spoke a low sigh
came to Jacks ears.
"What that ?" cried Jack "Do you
mean to say that you're afraid Of that?
You are crazy. II is only some one
walking in the garret in his slippers, or
in his stocking feet. | hear the wind,
too, blowing about the place. Are you
such q fool, Tom, as 10 be afraid OF
that 2"
40, you don't know-you don't
know" said Tom.
"Well, 1 will know, precious soon,'
said Jack; and, seizing the lamp, he
strobe toward the door. Come along,
Tom"
But Tom didn't move.
"Will you come and see for yourself, "
said Jack
"I wouldn't 90 up there for the world
nor would any of the boys, Jack; there's
horror up there. None of the boys dare
stay in this room. wouldn't. You stay
here because you don't know but you'll
leave it soon enough. There is something
up there we have often heard it and 1t
is In this room that it sounds the worst.
It's mysterious walk of something. You
hear a football, and a sigh, as OF one in
pain. On wild, stormy nights it is horri-
BILE. DR.. Pcndergrast cannot make 1t out
at all. None of them teachers can.
They've tried To reason us out of fear, but
they are afraid themselves The last boy
that was put i'm this room rushed out of
il at midnight almost frightened To death
You were put in here because you were
new boy DIR. Pendergrast wouldn't sleep
here himself, know"
All this Tom poured forth ina slightly
incoherent manner, and concluded by en-
treating Jack To leave the room at once,
and pass the night with him. Jack heard
him through, with look of wonder.
"Well. | declare" :" he exclaimed.
"What a set Pom my word, | never
would have believed all this of you If you
hadn't told me with your own lips. You
talk like a school girl of six. And you
seem to take me for baby. A ghost
Ha ha hai What rot and rubbish
And then To find whole school going
mad after il o, Tom Toni Tom |
wouldn't have thought this olyou. Come,
mani Shake yourself, and be man.
Come up with me, now."
Tom shook his head.
"Well," said Jack, "Tll have TO so alone,
and you must feel ashamed of yourself
Come"
Nor said Tom, with a downcast look
40. Tom Have You no prider VIII
YOU let me stand here, and dare you TO fol-
low mc2'
"Jack, it's madness"
"Poohp said Jack and without an
other word, he left the room and walked
along the hall to where the stairway ran
up the garret. Tom looked after him,
and seemed, at one time, gathering up his
courage to follow. He even took one step
forward; but a that moment there came
from above heavier sound, like heavier,
firmer football, and long, shrill sigh re
sounded through the whole hall Ii froze
the very blood in his veins. He snrank
back; and, instead OF following Jack, he
ran down stairs in terror.
But no sooner had he reached the lower
floor than he felt pang of intolerabie
shame He had deserted his friend ana
left him alone 10 encounter the mysterious
fate. Yet what could he dog He dared
not go back. But something must he
done. So he went To some friends and
told them what Jack was doing.