Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1875-08-11
These stairs behaved after the usual fash.


into anything like gravity again.
They seated themselves around the table.
and placed their hands upon it; but Max
looked at Nudge and Nudge giggled in
stantly. Then Pansy shook her head re-
provingly at the boys, and Teddy immedi-
ately drew his face into such an expression
of woful solemnity that Pansy laughed
outright.
I'VE did look so funny with our hands
all stretched out, as if we were trying to
play tune and didn't know how" she
said apologetically.
Ssh! we can't do anything at all, if we
don't keep STILL" demonstrated Dick.
They tried hard to be quiet, and by and
by Dicks earnestness began to affect the
others, and the feeling of merriment died
away. The room grew very still. and
what long, lonely room it was at night
not bit like the sunny spot they knew by
daylight
The table trembled little.
You did that" said Dick, CHANGING
suspciously at Max.
mo didn't" answered Max positively.
After all, that new leg was very in
secure. and the table shook so easily that
some one might have done it unconscious
ly. In moment it moved again, and the
children looked questioningly at each
other. That certainly was dreary, de-
pressing sort of room, and how mourn
fully the wind blew! Nudge glanced ap-
prehensively toward the door leading to
unfinished parts of the attic, and began
to wish Aunt Prue would call them down
stairs.
Suddenly, in the pauses of the wind,
came a sound as of heavy breathing.
IF any of you are trying to brighten
us | wish you'd just stop" said Pansy, in
tone half startled. half pctulant.
But the boys shook their heads. The
sound grew more and more distinct, and
evidently came from somewhere in the
room. The circle of hands dropped from
the table, and the party stared at each
other with wide-open eyes
Il think I'd like to 90 down stairs for
drink of water" f;altered Nudge
"Pshaw" exclaimed Dick, turning
round SO hastily that he struck his foot
against the table, and in an instant the
weak leg gave way. A mingled growl
and groan sounded from beneath it as it
tipped forward, and. as the children sprang
up in alarm, Teddy's arm struck the
lamp. upset and extinguished it. They
were not left in utter darkness, for Il pale
moon shone dimly through the sky-light
and by its faint CLEAN they saw strange
white figure moving slowly to and fro
'Oh! what is that" whispered Pansv,
with a shiver.
No one answered. Dick had a fearful
suspicion that his experiment had been
entirely too successful. They huddled
closely together, not daring to move or
attempt an escape with that dreadful
something between them and the door
The minutes seemed like ages. At last
The awful figure moved toward them.
Nudge screamed and attempted to spring
INTO chair. but in her haste and fright
she missed it, and fell heavily to the fl or
Then the others joined in Il wild shrek
that rang through every part of the house
DOORS opened and voices called below
and 1t was but a moment or two before
Hester appeared bearing 4 lamp, and fol
lowed Ply Aunt Pruc and Miss RoNburv
The clear light revealed the trembling.
frightened group in one corner, the broken
table, and old Rover stalking Solemnlv
through the room with Il sheet upon his
back. The children understood it all the
instant their eyes rested upon the dog
lie had followed them up stairs late in
the afternoon. and had lain down under
the table to sleep. Its sudden overturninr
had disturbed his long nap; and he had
crept out with the table cover clnrinr to
his back. The dog looked exceedingly
foolish when they saw him. and Pansys
crying changed to a burst of historical
laughter
Aunt Prue could not comprehend so
readily.
us it fire. are You all murdered? What
In the world has happened?" she asked
anxiously.
1t was an absurd story to tell, but it
came out in four parts-Mid.e being too
much overcome to contribute ANYTHING t.
the general explanation; n terribly mixed
up story, but it was all told at last
Hester leaned against the wall and
shifted contemptuously. Miss Roxburv
laughed, while Aunt Prue soothed Mid"c
and scolded by turns, and Aunt Prue talk
ed last when she was Il little indignant.
on were at the bottom of it. Richard.
know you wcre.' She said, severely. |
Its another of Your wild schemes for
getting things done without doing them. |
IL 8 time you learned that every one is
placed on the earth to do his own work.
and that no spirit from any world, good or
)ad, Will ever do yours for You. A spirit
If industry is the spirit you need most. and
you would call that up we should have
IN end of such nonsense as this
Dick listened with remarkable meekncss
or he had been not Il little frightened:
he others looked pale yet, and Nudge was
till sobbing over her bumped head 1t
$ probable, after sleeping over the matter.
ne came to the conclusion that Aunt Prue
vas right. for he went valiantv to work
he next morning at the wood-pilc, with
lax and Teddy to help him. After all.
hey succeeded about as well rs they had
loped to do the day before, for when they
aid their hand on a stick of wood it flew.
n to the pile in IN instant-Kue w.
Ianllinton. st. Nicholas for Aug1ta.
BEAUTIES OF MANHOOD.-To the boy