Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1881-02-02
THE KEITH'S FORERUNNER.

Mrs. Keith called in one morning and
judging by her nervous, restless manner,
we concluded that her errand wasn't alto
gether pleasant, to tell at least, but we tried
to help the little woman by being more
chatty and jolly than usual After she had
conquered her timidity sufficiently, she said
Il called to ask a favor of YOU, Hetty, but
I'm afraid you won't thank me after I tell
you something
''Have no fears, but tell us about this
something I replied quickly.
"Well, it has been several weeks that we
have heard a noise in our ell chamber that
we cannot account for. We have listened
and searched to no purpose. I tell you this
because wanted you to stay nights with
the children next week, while husband and
l go to Rivervale. They wouldn't object
to staying alone if it wasn't for this mystic
rous noise. l hope we shall understand
about it sometime. for it makes the chill
dren SO timid." e
''What is it like?" asked. III
"a loud knocking then dying away grad
ually; mother Keith says something terrible
is going to happen, and these repeated
warnings are to prepare u.s."
Worrying then, thought I, is what has
made the little woman SO thin and pale the
last few weeks, and she wants to visit her
felix's before the something terrible" hap
pins.
Come! Of course I will, and I'll tell you
all about the noise wnen YOU return" I
replied stoutly.
Il hope you will, sighed the little woman,
but | don't know. husband and I have
failed" .......4
''Well, I don't intend to; if husband and
I have failed, l laughed.
Just like you, Hetty; full of courage"
replied Mrs. Keith, looking brighter and
more cheerful than she had for month. Il
can depend on you, then ~
"Of course" replied, should be de-
lighted to ferret out the secret"
Hitherto the Keiths Lad visited Rivervale
during the lull Of the farm work after hay
and grain were housed, but the fear of that
impending something" had changed the
time to midplanting.
Although [ had the reputation for cour-
age and persistent energy, didn't relish
the job Of ferretting out the Keiths forerun-
ner; but had promised and was too prond
to recant; besides, we were neighbors and
friends.
The morning they started I went over to
help them off, knowing that there are many
all ready. The good-byes between parents
and children were really touching, and to
an oppositely constituted person from my
self, the scene might have been affecting;
but laughed, threw old shoes and hats for
good luck, and promised to superintend the
sending of postal daily.
Now, Reny, if you want me, I'll take my
sewing and stay with you during the day"
I said after the Keith's were out of sight
mo, thank you; it is nights that we want
you. Come at sunset, if you can, " she re-
piled.
All right, I responded, laughing to my
self at the credulity of human nature.
The influence Of my defiant manner was
to restore cheerfulness to that house; so we
spent a very jolly evening
At 49, I said ''now let's go to bed, and if
we are disturbed, just consider me captain
of this knocker-laid. The first and sec
ond night we slept beautifully, and began
a good natured ridicule of the Keiths' fore
runner, in which the children joined hearth
~.
The third day it rained, not like Aunt
Peggy's rainy day that begins at nom, for
this began at midnight and did faithful
work for twenty four hours. Then three
events occurred, almost simultaneously
The wind soughed from the northwest
through the old elnls, driving the dead tree
branches against the house roof, rattling
the roof shingles, clap-boards and blinds
with such force that one might think all the
runners in Brookhill had met at the Keiths
for genuine "la,k" there was such a rack
ct, the old time-piece banged out midnight,
and the real Keith forerunner began oper-
atoms in earnest. For half an hour list
ened, the perspiration breaking from every
my brain of all sediment of fear, if such a
thing can exist in science, and I sprang
from the bed.
''That knocking is made by the wind,' /
said loudly, to re -assure the children, who
were awake and asking all sorts of questions
in whisper.
do you believe it, Hetty?" asked Frank,
who was crouched trembling just outside
our bedroom door.
"Believe it? of course believe it. There
was 10 knocking till the wind rose. Now
hear it. It's rythm and melody, if it has any,
is made by the northwest wind, I said,
quickly, for my teeth were chattering and
my whole frame quivering with reaction.
We'll light lamp and investigate"
"Oh, don't Hetty, don't! I'm afraid it's
omething awful" moaned Frank and
Benny.
Guess mott Awful things generally come
head or die; but this, by your accounts,
does neither, " replied, laughing, and hold
ing the lamp at arms length, as I stepped
across the beam between the main house
and open chamber. The knocking ceased,
but stood peering into the darkness.
ut stopped just SO when father stepped
in here, and mother pulled him back, she
was SO scared"
I took another step. The sound begun
again. Then I set the lamp on the foor;a
draft from the direction that I had stepped
famed the flame. l reached out my hand
and found a strong draft coming from a til