The Morning herald., 1877-06-09

part OF the hut, and extended away to
dwarf hemlock some rods of. This pre
vision was made to the eud that Ne miah
still BE- able to engineer the ghost at dia
lance, In case the party.should surroun
| the house. n#
"All ready for the sheriff" said Tom
surveying the preparation. "Guess wei
better light up, its getting pretty dark
and they'll need 1t to guard them. Toucl
the candles, and save the chimney till they
get into the opening"
The effect Of our light was immediatel,
audible from the people down at the vii
lage, and on the Other side Of the lake
First hallooe, followed by q series of voca
telegraphings, showed that we were attract.
ing universal attention. I ought to be
ashamed Of the confession, but I don't be-
lieve l eyer enjoyed myself half as we'll az
upon that evening. We knew we could
escape easily enough, even II the real ma
ture Of the display should be discovered,
while theprospect Of frightening the select
man was rare banquet for mischief.
We heard wagons rafting up the road
on the other side Of the lake, one-two-
three. "Quite party r. said Tom They
stopped opposite the clearing" and light
ing several torches, got into an old boat
and came padding across.
From the shore up 10 the clearing "
was a climb of nearly quarter of q mile
And while they were coming up through
the woods, we practiced the ghost once
more, to be sure that he was all right.
"Now touch the chimney" whispered
Tom; and it was soon roaring away at a
great rate. We then got through the win.
dow-hole on the back part, 90 as to be well
out Of the light, and stood waiting the
event 1t was cloudy night, and had
come in dark as Egypt. Peering round
the end Of the house, we watched them
come up into the opening. Their torches
made all their movements plainly vieible.
Catching sight of the flaming chimney
and lighted windows, they halted. Itmust
have had quite genial glow: Thanks to
the rolls Of birch bark, the chimney con-
tinued to blaze At furious rate, sending
up volumes Of black smoke. 81
The investigators came up within seven
or eight rods, but did not seem inclined to
Immediately approach. We caught frag-
ments Of their talk, about the roaring Of
the flue. I.. ..
almighty looking chimney !" said
one. What 'spose they're cooking there"
Witches broth, perhaps" replied an
other.
"Come, boys, let's move up" said the
sheriff.
But the boys didn't move up much ; on
the contrary, the whole party seemed to
have come to standstill. Meanwhile the
fire in the chimney began to abate little.
"More birthstone here, you imps,"
roared Tom, in hollow tones through the
trumpet.
"Thal's old Nick himself, suppose"
said one.
"I tell you, boys. this is all trick"
said Ames. "Lets move up"
Quick as wink we let'the curtaip fall,
making all dark while Tom cried in a
terrible voice: ..........
"Mortals, depart! depart depart! or
woe be unto you'll"
1t echoed in the surrounding forest.
They we're right in thinking that no mortal
lungs could have produced such sounds,
lnassisted. never saw men more COM
pletely nonplussed. Scared they undoubt-
edly were but shame kept them from re-
treating. So they stood their ground and
stared. Not one of them dared come to
The door to look in. But they now began
10 use their voices Justify.
80! you can't scare U.s." shouted Ames.
your little games played out. Just
come out Of that, and we'll square with
you"
"Ames never would offer free pardon
unless he were frightened" whispered Tom
Keep steady we shall sell them yet"
ape see that revolver?" cried one Of
The young men, displaying pistol. I'm
coming up to the door, and I'll shoot the
first one, who touches me-"
"Be ready with the ghost" whispered
Tom. The fellow had more nerve than the
others. lie slowly edged up within a
few feet of the door, and raising his pistol
it through the aperture. In
,u instant the ghost rose through the floor
him with the garments Of mur>
Ter.
"Mortal, thy days are numbered"
Tom while tossed up heavy |
'tone, which falling on the rickety roof,
bounced off pretty close to him.
Twas little too much. He turned and
The whole party followed,
mes bringing up the rear. And such
hrieks, as now issued from the old trumpet
would have appalled, bravef men than
hey. We heard them crashing down |
through the brush, and pretty soon the
ound of oars came up from the water.
"They wont trouble us again to night"
aid Tom. "Let's clear up, and 60 home."
We carefully brushed out the cinders
rom the fireplace, and strewed dry leaves
-1ozn Thnn took N0~n ho