The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-02-06
A Nights Sport.

Are you gong to the lyceum to-
night, boys?" asked George Spencer,
entering the room one evening after
school, where his brothers were idly
sitting.
"No, I'm not, for one," replied
Henry, the eldest decidedly, not raising
his eyes from the stick he was leisurely
whiting.
care you Dick ?" he asked, half
timidly, fearing he would reply mega
lively, turning to another sitting lazily
before the stove.
"No, there's none of us going, unless
it's you, and l know you won't go, for
you are too great a coward to go
alone"
"I1l bet you I'm not" replied
George, holly, land whether yOu among
you go or not Twill !" he added emphat-
ically.
Pooh pretty big growing for a little
chap" they sneered. "Well see how
much going there'A be when the time
comes"
"We'll see then, he retorted angrily,
and if l don't go, then call me cow
ard p
ooh, you may start, but I'll warrant
before you've gone three rods, you'll
come back, scared half to DEATH" de-
clared Alonzo. positively, joining in
with his brothers against him.
"I'u bet you I'll not" retorted
George detiantly, and turning on his
heel, he angrily left the room.
"Oh, boys, how could you? Don't
be so contrary, Please. pleaded their
sister Mary, sweet, blued-eyed little
girl, loved by everyone. "You know
he's afraid to go alone, if he is ashamed
to admit it. He has been up late at
night now for several weeks, committing
the piece he intends to speak, and now
he is anxious to speak it. Come, now, "
she proceeded, &c be good boys and go
with him. You know how you'd feel If
you were in his place, and he'll go now,
after what's been said, if he dies on the
way"
"Well, what of it if he's big enough
fool to go, let him take the consequences.
I'm not going away off there, such a
clustering, snowy night as this is, for
any one," replied Henry, rising and
leaving the room followed by the other
two.
"Oh boys for shame, how can you?"
followed the reproving voice of their
sister, as the door closed behind them
"Come, mother, hurry up supper if
you can, its getting late The teacher
said he was going to commence sooner
than usual, tonight, and if 1 don't
hurry, I'll be late, fear" said George,
entering the room where his mother was
helping prepare supper.
"Why, who's going with you?" she
asked, glancing up from her work, 4"
heard the boys say that none of them
were going"
"Oh, well, that don't matter" he re-
piled, 81 can go as well without, as
with them.
"But, are you not afraid?
" No, what is there to be afraid of, ~
he declared bravely.
But, after eating his supper, and has
tening to his room to prepare to go, he
hesitated Might he not, after all, see
something ? The sky was overcast, and
it was dark and stormy, and the road
he was to traverse, was lone and dreary,
leading through a dense piece of woods.
Why not take his uncle's revolver which
was hanging on the wall before him :
What would be the harm? He could
carry it as well as not, and when he re-
turned he would restore it to it's place
again, WltHOuJ huyOut huOWlnB III, he
need not use it at all, and it would make
him feel more holder and fearless TAX
ing it down and slipping it from the
case. which he returned to the place il
was taken from, after seeing it was wei
loaded, he carefully hid it in his bosom
and hurried out. The darkness was
appalling, the wind swept fercely past
bowling and grooming fearfully among
the treetops, but he had said he woulC
40. and with n fattering heart he pushed
forward into the gloom.
In a short time he reached the dens,
wood. 1t was reported to be haunted
and as Re hurried through it, whistlinc
TO keep up his courage, and his hanC
nervously clutching the revolver, h,
trembled in fear at every noise. III
had passed nearly through it, and wa
Going down into valley through which
ooursed n small stream, when suddenly
TO his horror, tall white form Will
great blazing eyes and long bony hands
.spranQ as it were from the ground an,
barred his way With gasp of terror