The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1880-09-24
JOHN SMITHS Gnosr.


mr. RALPH siaHy.
Mr.. John Smith-that isn't his name,
but 1t will do for the present purpose
Is a business man In Cheyenne, and has
n fine residence therein. The yard
round about Is filled with fine plants
and shrubs, and some Of them grow TO
a good height. Thus endeth chapter
the first.
CHAPTER H..
On Wednesday evening OF this week,
Mr.. John Smith found himself delayed
down town later than usual, and has
tened homeward to escape a curtain
lecture. The moon was hidden behind
n heavy dark cloud and objects terres-
trial were not plainly discernlble to
Mr.. j. s., especially as his eyesight is
dimmed. Hence he picked his way
cautiously, withal. When he neared
the family domicile he imagined he saw
n white object standing rear the front
door with an arm extended toward him.
He advanced toward it, yet it moved
not. He circled out on the street and
came back TO the front gate on the
western side. The figure was still
there, and he saw, not one, but two
arms outstretched, one of which point
ed ut him directly. Smith now grew
nervous. lie had never seen anything
Of the sort before and could not imag-
Inc what 1t was. Then a bright thought
dawned upon him-thc figure was that
Of some wag covered with white, who
thought to scare him for being out
late at night. Smith thought he would
turn the tables. Feeling around for a
brick he caught hold of a big stone and
advancing cautiously toward the gate
rs near rs he dare, he let the stone fly
with terrific force. He expected to see
the figure drop and howl in the terror
OF pain. But instead Of that the two
arms raised rs the stone struck and
then dropped again to their usual posi-
ton. Then Smith was scared worse
than ever. Heeven felt convinced that
a ghost confronted him, for no human
being could withstand the terrible
blow administered with the stone.
Being worked up to a high pitch of
excitement, Smith imagined he saw the
figure moving towards him. Certainly
It moved. The wind was bowling dis
mally through the surrounding trees
and shrubbery, and altogether the stu
alton was becoming decidedly unpleas-
ant. What was he to do? He couldn't
stay out all night; to go to a hotel
would be folly; neither could he pass
the terrible figure In white that stood
like deaths W sentinel neal the front
door. The winds suddenly howled more
m%ournfully than before. and the figure
seemed to catch the whim aud moved
about as II In anger. Smith saw the
head shake threateningly-that was
enough. He bounded to the rear of the
house to seek an entrance, and fortu-
nately found n partially open window
through which he entered.
|
cHATER III.
Hat daybreak next morning, Smith
arose from bed. He had not slept;
why, we need not explain; hence there
was no difficulty in arising just when
the advancing rays Of the coming sun
made terrestrial objects plainly visible.
He went down stairs to the front door
determined upon examining the spot
where the terrible ghost stood menace
ing him during the night. 1t was not
without some nervousness that he open
ed the door. He expected, he feared,
he knew not what. But, with cold
sweat standing out on his forehead, he
opened the door and looked. He saw
he saw the white figure still standing
In the same position. The arms were
extended and even the head swayed to
and fro in the wind. But Smith laugh
ed. He burst into 4 loud outlaw. He
laughed until he had aroused the house.
hold. And when he heard the family
moving about with an evident inten-
ton to learn the Of the unusual
matutinai hilarity, he advanced to the
white figure and with one fell swoop
snatched a bed sheet from of a tall shrub
which had been placed thereon by his
wife to protect 1t FROM frost.