Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-12-04

$ that Cousin Jack was hugging Miss Car
rtnRton In the library"
"Hello." exclaimed Tom.
what itb you doin'7" said Flossy.
Jack tumbled his shock OF hair with Al
I action OF despair, then met the emergency
like = good fellow and clever fellow 4,
he was
) II was telling Miss Darlington . story.
he asserted, facing the small inQuisitors
Poor Belle, who could be cruel and vex
. Ing 10 dozen desperate lovers, was scar
let and mute before these dreadfu, young
sters.
''Ho'I guess so. exclaimed Tom doubt.
: ingy; but the smaller ones were arrested
by Jacks impressive face, that bore Q seri-
ons and seemly expression, defying scru-
, tiny.
IL WAS telling Miss Darlington a tine
story. wonderful story. story that scar
ed her so. Was obliged to hold her tight
to keep her from screaming"
The grin faded of Toms face. aud Belle
looked amazed, yet reAssured. The chill
dren had experience of Jacks stories. and
tragic effect seemed not unlikely.
Yes" continued Jack. There Was 8
great deal OF horror In 1t; knives ard rob
bers and dark night, and massacre" he
went on In his deepest bass. and rolling his
RS meudously.
"Tell Il TO Us. won't your" asked Tom,
fairly thrown out OF certain vague suspi-
| clons
"Oh no. That story Is no, for children. Z"
answered Jack, ssIifully whettlng their
cui iiosiiy.
There was storm Of demand a. once
II is human as well as chlld-like 10 wan,
exactly what Is not At for US.
Give US the massacre" shouted Tom
s'N eth yiya nth he p,atharrc ..hnal
Flossy.
What's mAssacre1 anyway" inquired
Charlie honestly.
It's when some people GO and Kill some
other people all OF a sudden 10 the night,
aud us wicked" explained Maud TO every
ones satisfaction.
Jack WAS set upon By the whole crowd.
lie had drawn the attention from the sliu-
alton so a~kwardly surprised. and the
next thing WAS 10 distract them thorough
ly then. Tor lear the Older ones. amer the
excitement had passed, should return to
the incident, Bellies consent must be OBJ
talned. ." the attack of dozen cous aims
could be me: with the frank avo~al OF an
engagement. Talk Abou, your heroes fac
Ing the enemy. Think OF Jack with bat
talions OF rAillery and gossip on all sides
| except one. and that the fearful uncertain
~ OF coqueiilsh girl who has no, ye,
said the final yes"
"SiI down. all OF you, and keep very
sull. said Jack impre.sively Car
ringtop here by me. because she's nervous;
! Tom on the let. so; and To, on the noor
/ by my knee. There. Now. attention ALL
This Is the story OF the
DREADFUL MASSACRE
II vas sunset A gallant tribe assem-
/ bled with much state aud clat,er They
spoke together In their own tongue pleas
anily and peacefully. There were father.
| They lodged In excellent houses; they
/ brough, up their families with care; they
/ harmed nobody they were good aud limo
cent There was a feast that evening;
! their costumes were rich with the lustre
OF satin and bright with scarlet color. The
young iiuttered about gayly aud were hap
py, aud fond and foolish, and the old look
ed on with calm content. Then all went
TO their comfortable homes and 20 rest.
The night crept on-dars, dreadful
! night; the moon bid behind black clouds:
! the owls went boot toot. and the frogs
went kerchuk. and the beasts roarcd In the
forest. and ugly bats flew about. and the
I wind whistled in at cracks and over bleak
! fields. The ghosts and goblins aud ~lckrd
things all came out and walked round and
round. and the whole world seemed groAn-
Ing aud weeping before the dreadful
deed"
What dreadful deedg' asked Christine
ln whisper.
Hold your tongue and you'n see," said
Charlie very much interested.
Then there came stealing across the
Country" Jack went on with intensity. "a
band OF men-cruel men with wicked clubs
and great knves-and they came 10 these
! Al ~ ht,t "a az
asleep"
"wah they burslarh?- Interrupted
Flossy.
Not burglars, but mur-r-r -derers," an
swered Jack. his voice growing deep and
rolling like muffied drums or distant tbun-
der.
said one 20 smother" growled Jack
with melodramatlc looks and starts. shall
We take them alive or shall We murder
| 'em sleeplngT'
Murder EN-, stab 'em, strangle 'em.
old and young alike; spare rot one. was
. the answer from q great man brandishing
a naked blade. So they stole s.ong," he
explained, suiting the action to the word,
"stoopiag and crouch!ng and whispering
and exchanging signs, and then All At once
they burst into the houses. here the story y
teller grew loud and wild, his arms flew
like wind sails. his eyes stared horribly
| "Oh. but there Was . fierce struggle
Strong fellows walked from sleep, Tough,
, desperately for life; mothers defended
their little ones TO the last; but the mur-
derer. slashed right and left. They strsn-
sled and cut of heads; there were wild
> cries and fyin2 forms, and confusion and
death aud biood-blood every where. !" roar
J ed Jack. with awful power, TIL every child
trembied. and Tot began 10 curl her under
lip.
"why didn't somebody help the poor
, thingsT' Charlie broke out Indignantly.
I'D have helped EN-" added Tom
eagerly.
"why didn't you do 1t, them e. said Jack
with stern dispieasure.
, Where did it all happenl" said Tom
. stung by the reproof
"Hrre-here In this very town"
Here" exclsimed the children, shiyer
ing and looking over their shoulders, hall
: scared, for twilight was falling.
Yes. here" groaued Jack. land onlJ
t yesterday. Innocent creatures struck dowI
. | 10 the midst Of life, mangied and cut u
Z pieces. Oh, children" pointing with ter
| rified face, Il see their ghosts outside ths
0 window there. Hush! Are 700 afraid o
0 ghostss Hyou are don't look round
e look round!" .-t.-.
: ~ Amt sfrsid OF EN- said Tom, weakly
D still be didn't look round. Fiossy shrieked
4 Maud shut her eyes, and Tot. who couldn'
: understand the story. Was crying bard il
Q sympathy, while Jack stood like dreadfu
e | enchanter 10 the midst OF the tremblin,
z group. .-
y "Send the ghosts away, Cousin Jack.
3 suggested Charlie, very humbly. ..
Q Children spoke Jack. 10 sep0lchrs
tones, .yOa've been very tOsmenting to m
z to-day. and I've halt misd to run of an,
leave you" Prim Maud elutched at hi
d coat But on one condition III light tn
. gas and not scsre you any more"
r what Is itr''
"wiil you obey b.. s... s.-....
= Yes, Cousin jack"
Then cover up your syes, every one O
you, tight; don't dare lOox out Of corner
/. You too. Miss Carriugton."
I All the eyes were duly covered, half j
y genuine fright II the story and the twiligh
and the ghosts. half In play. -irs 10.
III Now say, sveEy ppe Of yOu-yOn t0c
Miss Carringtoa-'Jaek. love you'll
The chiIdrea yelled In chorus. but Jac