Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-12-26

through the room and quickly opened
the door leading to the next one. I'm
fortunately there CHANGED to be cou-
pie ofchairs placed near it, and as it
was hastily thrown open they were up
set, and being full of tin dishes, spoons,
knives, and everything that could be
placed on them that would make a
noise, you may suppose, dear reader,
that there was crashing.
"The deuce take it u muttered Fred
as he rushed through the room, upset
ting chairs, work-stands, and he knew
not what, in his flight. He thought that
all the furniture in the house must have
been placed IN that room, and that he
must have upset certainly three-fourths
OF 1t. At length he reached the stairs
leading to his own chamber, and was in
hopes that his trials were now at an end.
He sprang up two or three of the steps,
when his forehead struck against some
thing which had been hung from the
ceiling above, and he sprang back al
most stunned from it. Ring o-ting-ting
went the great dinner bell, and the sound
echoed through the house, making more
noise than anything yet had done. Fred
was desperate. He rushed up the flight
of steps, again striking his head against
the bell, causing it to ring louder than
before. He had nearly reached his
chamber door, when he suddenly stop
ped, and gazed full upon an object that
stood before him. There, between him
self and the door, stood silent, motion
less figure, perfectly realizing his idea
of that object of rather doubtful exist
ence in our enlightened days, namely,
a ghost. The moonlight streamed in
upon the floor, and plainly revealed a
white-robed figure to the distracted gaze
| of Fred Lawrence. He continued gaz-
| ing at it for just two minutes, then,
with an exclamation of fear and ter
ror, dashed down the flight of stairs.
! Again the dinner-bell sounded, louder
than it had yet done, and in another
moment the almost distracted Fred was
leaping over the tables and chairs in the
next room, intending to make his exit
through the window.
what is the matter?" exclaimed
Mrs. Lawrence, appearing with light
just as Fred vanished from the room.
"What IS the NATTER" cried Lucy
Lawrence from the head of the chamber
stairs.
What is the natter" spoke the sup
posed ghost, throwing off the white robe
and disclosing the face and form OF Kate
| Myrtle.
1t is needless to say say, dear reader
that the girls were at the bottom of the
whole affair. They had determined
that Fred should be entirely cured Of
coming IN at that window, and also Of
staying SO late at the widow Marston's
Kate and Lucy laughed immoderately
at their success in frightening Fred
Mrs. Lawrence looked grave, and the
servants, who had all been aroused by
the uproar, surprised and astonished
The girls explained all, and their reason
for doing it.
In less than an hour the furniture
was replaced, the bell taken down, anC
silence once more allowed to reign
! But it was two more hours before
Fred again ventured to enter the house
and then he did not attempt to by thai
window.
The lesson had the effect desired. and
| Fred. afterwards returned from the
widow Marston's before his mother and
the girls had retired, and instead o.
making use of the window, entered
properly by the door. And about two
wee ks afterwards, there was a wedding
at the widow Marston's, and Miss Anne
Marston became Mrs. Fred Lawrence
Kate and Lucy explained the cause Of
that nights adventure, and Fred de.
clared that he never was more veXed
surprised and frightened at once, than
when the cunning girls had so success,
FULLY cured him of staying late from
home. Though many years have
passed since then, still Fred Lawrence
has not yet forgotten this incident of his
counting days.