Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1870-06-23

and seemed, at one time, gathering up his
courage to follow. he even took one step
forward; but at that moment there came
from above heavier sound, like heavier,
frmer football, and long, shrin sigh re-
sounded through the whole hall. 1t froze
the very blood in his veins. he shrank
back; and, instead Of following Jack, he
ran down stairs in terror.
But no sooner had he reached the lower
floor than he felt a pang OF intoierable
shame. He had deserted his friend and
left him alone to encounter the mysterious
fate Yet what could he dof he dared
not go back But something must be
done. So he went to some friends ana
told them what Jack was doing.
The tidings created an immense sensa-
ton. 1t spread from one to the otner,
till, finally the whole school had learned
that the new boy had gone alone In the
garret to face the ghost LFLgr
At first they gathered in the lower hall
listening.
There was no sound.
Then some of the bolder ones ventured
the whole school simulated them to this
unparalleled feat of hardihood.
Still there was no sound.
They waited sometime, and at last Tom
found courage enough TO venture up to
the top of the stairs leading to the third
story, in company with three or four 9TH
ers, while all the rest crowded into the
stairway listening and watching.
At first they heard nothing; but, at last,
amid a deathly stiffness, they heard slid
ing sound, of mysterious character, then
long, low sigh, which grew louder and
louder until it seemed TO come close to
them, and die away in sharp wall. Then,
Immediately, there came that mufded
tread-tramp-tra measured,
I ufA
beating, while all shrank back.
But suddenly there came another
sound 5l ta- 75vo of. .,
1t was another football
Tramp-tramp-tr sounded, and
the step was firm, and solid, and loud;
and it seemed as though the footballs went
side by side, as though two were walking
there where only one had walked before;
What was il? Who was itf What had
become of JackP As that second sound
arose, rush of superstitious terror came
over them; they shrank back, down the
stairway, back into the lower hall, gather
ing into a pale crowd, and listening to
the awful sounds. 3Jg Ha- ID.
But there suddenly came loud cry.
Toni Hallo-o-o-o-o.ol Tom Flncn
Too -oo-o-o-o-o-o-om Hallo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
DOOR 'tf teT u .1sf..r-t.
It was not the voice of ghost. 1t was
not the cry Of fear. 1t was the strong,
healthy, CHEEKY voice Of Jack Bobby him
self II 2 Oh -hHs r. y a4l4-.l71.
Instantly the crowd gave q start, after
which they. made wild rush forward
and up the stairs into the third story,
and up another stairway into the garrett
Tom was the first up, but crowd was
following closely at his heels.
They saw Jack in the middle OF the
garret, with lamp in his hand, staring
at them. AS he looked, a smile came over
his face, which. ended in merry peal OF
laughter. af
Now, at that very moment, there
sounded the ghosts football, and long
sigh; but, somehow or other, the sound
Of Jacks laugh and the sight OF his lace,
took away all fear and that which mo-
ment before might have made them al
most die with horror, now began TO as
sumo the character of thing that might
aWhat you're all here" said Jack
aThat's right. I've found the ghost.
| Come here,S said he, and he led the way
/ to the window ct the end Of the garrett
(which he had opened Now, listen.
lTbere. do YOU hear itS Thefootfall is the
ran. ran, rap, Of the lines against the nag
| staff fastened at the end of the house, lust
overhead; and confess It sounds exactly
| like some one walking. As TO the ngni
| it is only the wind in this long garret
An was plain. The "ghost was laio'
and Jack gained NO end OF reno"n--
l. Yoaffhs OOn1D0nfOn.