The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-07-13

nuity in trying to outgeneral each other
they, both-strange as 1t may seem
resolved unknown to each other, to call
to their aid the terrors of the spirit
world. Stranger yet, the same night,
was chosen when each should personate
ghost, to drive the other Off the field.
Well, the next Sunday evening came,
and, attired In the habillments of the
grave, could be seen, about nine o'clock,
our two heroes, cautiously approaching
the abode of their dearest dear The
object of ghost A. was to meet B. before
he reached the house, frighten him out
of his five senses, and then chase him
would never dare to show his ugly mug
there again.
Ghost BIS object was, precisely the
same towards A, and, consequently
fearful collision between them was iuev-
liable.
A. had chosen hollow pumpkin,
with two round holes cut near the top
for saucer eyes, and huge horizontal,
parallel organ opening for the mouth.
A candle was placed burning in it, and
at distance In the dark, 1t looked really
frightful.
b. had got some punk-which looked
like FURNISHED silver in the dark-which
he intended placing around his person,
in the night, in order TO give him
supernatural appearance pair of OK
horns placed upon his head, and attlred
in huge winding sheet, b. would have
passed for very respectable devil
They met. The night was very dark,
the road somewhat muddy - 1t was
always muddy up in Dane county-so
that they had in manner to feel their
way along. A turn in the road, close
by the dwelling, revealed each to the
other in their ghostly costume.
What sight A. saw ghost-B.
also beheld another before him. A
pumpkin head grinned horribly at
B., whilst the wierd lanterns on B.'s
person almost annihilated poor A.,
for he imagined, suppose, that 1t was
the evil one himself before him.
What mortal could stand thisp They
could not; but, appalled,, terrified, and
nearly mad with fear, they both turned
homeward and fled, with fearful outcries
bursting from their trembling lips. AS
B. however, was putting in his best
PAGES, in re-passing the house, a large
mastiff, alarmed by the outcries, rushed
out, and headed him off.
The poor wretch, thinking it was his
diabolical prosecutor in the form of
dog, turned aghast, and went off after
A. with all his might-no hat on, his
winding sheet streaming in the wind
behind him, while the dull glaring of
his punk-wood wood ornaments gave
him, indeed the look of a demon. A.
heard the noise, and glancing behind
him, saw with horror, the phantom in
full chase. He dropped the pumpkin
head-which he had been carrying in
his hand--gave another, yet louder, yell
and exerting all his powers to the utter
most, he bounded forward with the
agility of hunted deer, almost flying
over the ground, as he went, B., in the
meantime, not seeing the pumpkin
head, pressed on in the rear, the dog at
his heels, barking and urging him for
ward still faster than before.
How long they would have continued
on in their headlong flight, if not stop
ped, cannot tell. They had already
legged it over two miles, and were in a
fair way of running themselves to death,
if A. in his blind haste, had not pitched
headlong into mire hole, b., too, the
next minute sharing the same fate.
Fortunately, the hole was not deep, or
they both would have been smothered
in the mud, for they were fairly tired
out and weak as infants. They remain
ed in this condition until next morning,
when the neighbors found them, pulled
them out and carried them to their
homes. Wet, covered with mud from
head to foot, their raiment torn in rags,
they presented truly miserable appear
ance. Both were laid up for some days,
from the effects of their fright, and over
tasking their physical powers. 1t had
one good effect, however, it cured them
of love, for they never went courting
there again.
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