The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-12-11
cold for you, mother. Wewill see about

clared that in her time nothing oftlle sort
ever occurred. And when Charlie looked
stern and sad, and they asked him the
cause. he said as he rushed out to see
what it was cold blast passed him when
the door was opened, and, when his sister
suggested certain scientific reasons for
this phenomenon, he looked sadly scorn-
full, and calculated "Stuff!" in hollow
voice. The next night similar scene
took place, and then the family resolved
that some one should sit up and watch,
for it. For some time it was difficult to
get volunteer for the first watch, even
Charlie, the household protector, daclar
| ing he was not inclined to meet spirit
alone.
'sAnything that has flesh and blood in
it am ready for, and I tlatter myself
equal to; but anything disembodied is
beyond my range and experience"
The unearthly noise was heard once
more, and then every two or three nights
it was repeated, until they feared to leave
their beds, but covered, covered their heads
and wondered. Mrs. Dalton looked pale
and worn, and Lucy and Jane serious and
thoughtful. The house became funeral
in the air and tones.
sOh. Charlie! do beg mamma to try
and let the place go, and go somewhere
else."
"No, indeed, Lucy. did what could
before we came; she would not listen to
me. You would not back me then; now
we are in for it,
81 should die before the time expired
if we remained. Every one is talking Of
| it, and the Grimshaws will have it there
is something we have brought with us
some spirit belonging to our family, you
know; and Anne says the butter woman
says a servant disappeared some years
! ago, snd1 perhaps she is buried in the
cellar! should loose my senses if I saw
her"
Charlie shru gged his shoulders.
| ''Women are never satisfied" he said.
But the end OF all was that'Mrs. Dalton
found that sea air was necessary for
Lucy; and Mrs. Grimshaw consented to
take the house off her hands, on condition
that she paid the rent until tenant was
found. Charlie remained behind reluct-
antly, as he declared, to send off the lug
gage and save them the trouble. Then,
when the gates closed on the carriage, and
the family were of, the dutiful son pro-
ceeded to his sanctum and laughed loud
and uproariously. He looked at his
watch.
That evening fly drove up to the
Laurels, and from it emerged Frank. The
brothers |'old followed" each other after
the usual wont Of brothers, and after a
few moments of settling and unwrapping
found themselves tete-a-tete, seated one
on each side of the fire, looking good
humoredly into each others faces, Char
lie with his hands in his pockets, and
meekly triumphant; Frank trying not to
!, see it.
"Well," said he, GIVE Won the cham
payne. suppose Jane has told you the
sort Of a place we are in?"
''Yes, my fine fellow, and I twigged
who was at the bottom of it, and but for
my deep sense of honor might have sug-
gested an idea to her. Her letters were
great fun, holding as I did the key of the
cipher"
> It was in vain, however, Frank petition.
:, ed tor rehearsal. Charlie was inexor
= able.
"Go to bed, old fellow. It never come:
:. =. when it's watched for. I thought you
knew that"
Frank, however, was scarcely warm il
the sheets when, as if struck by an cleo.
trio shock, he sprang out of bed anc
= rushed to;the door.
'What is that? say, Charlie, what i
+ t? Is that the thing? By Jove-''
Loud, derisive laughter greeted hin
8 from above, and the younger brothe:
e rushed up stairs.
r els that it,
f eyes, that's it," said the other, verz
h gently.
swell, no wonder they could no
+ stand it. Why, it made me jump out o
: bed, although was prepared for tn
b material instead of supernatural. Shoy
q us the trick, old fellow
r. "You would not make a bad ghos
!. yourself, as you are. Well, really, Frank
T. I am surprised!'' ...
$ Thus rebuked, the junior clad himself il
v some garments from his brothers store
e and, clothed to a certain extent, followe
J. Charlie down to the cellar, and there :
t. the foot of the stairway lay a chain t
~ one end of which was attached small car
y non ball.
!, "Now do you see it?"
o II see nothing" and as he said this b
is kicked the rusty affair out of his way.
It take care, old fellow, that's it," an
> Charlie raised the chain, and held it u
!, by one end. "Here he or she is, sir, Ii
r. author of our say, rather, my release"
>. II do rot understand"
a. "Come and see; or, rather, stand an
m hear"
Y "No; I will go with YOU"
le So they went up to the top landin
close to which was Charles door, an
5. then. he suddenly dropped his burde
v. Down went the shot over the corner
ae dragging the chains after it, and makir
Id unearthly echoes through the deserte
H. mansion.
ar "Well, I give in. The cleverest trio
its have seen for many a day. But, the
ly you have eighteen months the start
no me-"
til "Ismoked pound of Cavendish befo
ed I hit it off to my satisfaction, besides n
yer regular allowance. But you know
nd time it would have shown on the stat
ad Look here!" and he produced #
! - / I c.