Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-11-25
1.-The Dead Mans Way"
4 TRUE STORY.

A few years ago large number O
English navvies we're engaged in con
structing q railway in the north o.
Scotland. It was winter, and they hat
been working hard all day, in spite o.
the cold. pitiless rain, which fell il
torrents. The contract had to be com
pletei within certain time, so they
were unable to leave eff their work t.
seek shelter.
The longest day. however, comes tt
an end at last, and as the evening begar
to close in. they we're glad enough te
hear the foreman call "Time;" spt
collecting their tools, they set off a.
quickly as possible for the lodging:
provided for them in the neighborine
town Of Invertain.
They we're tired and hungry, aftel
their long days work. and they had ,
long, weary walk of four miles before
reaching the town.
There WAS, indeed, shorter way
which would cut eff fully two miles
but then few Of the superstitiou'
miners cared to go through it by day
and still less would they do so on
dark evening of this kind, for they hsG
heard that it bore the ill.om ened name
of "The Dead Mans Way"
It was told them that no man in The
neighborhood dared to pass that way
after sunset; for many years before, +,
man had been rash enough to laugh a
the stories connected with it., and haG
insisted upon entering it one evening
to save himself the longer walk to ths
town, and tradition fays he was never
seen again.
"Look Lere, Jack" exclaimed ont
of the navvies. (which way be yor
going back to Invertain I'm thai
tired and hungry. I'm for going The
shortest way"
"Be you, Ned?" replied Jack Elem
ing. "Well. I don't much Wonder
Here I ana, wet as drowned rat, sni
shivering as if I'd got the ague. iii
wasn't for them stories about the Deac
Mans Way, Id like we'll enough tt
come with you"
"Stories!" exclaimed VIM. Brown
ing, who had lately joined them from
EoglaBd. "It would have to be queer
stories that would keep me from going
by the shortest way an evening of thi:
sort. Come along, mates, don't bt
towards. I'm your man."
YOU'D q long way better not 60
young fellows" eaid an older man, il
warning voice. Its what 1 Cal
temptin' Providence to Iun into danger
that way. snd then you can't expect t.
be preserved from it. It's my belle
there's somethin' bad about that road
They cay tie ghost of the man that die
the Ill deeds haunts the place by night
and does harm to whoever he may com.
across. He was bad un in life, yot
may depend, and maybe he's wors'
un in death. wouldn't trust mysel
there by night, no, not TO save me ,
twenty miles walk. You Just take my
advice, young fellows, and don't g.
there. or you'll repent it." This WA
greeted with loud laugh by Brown
ing.
"Come along, chaps" he said
scornfally. I'm brave enough to 6,
by myself if you're all too chicken
hearted to come along with me. They're
not SO easily frightened in the parts
came from, bnt suppose you are al
womanish as old WiseGcre here, and er'
afraid"
This taunt had the desired effect.
"I'm not afraid, said Ned Harding
"Not !. I'm as brave as you any day.
$50 am T." added Jack Fleming
"Pm not the fellow to be afraid of {
ghost. or to be kept in leading strings
by anyone"
Well, I'm sure it's no affair oi
mine if any mischief befalls you," said
the old man. You'll bear me witness
mates. that they 60 at their own risk.
AYE, eye. Jennings, that We do.
cried several voices, land fools enough
they be for to GO, after all they've
heard. too"
The three men, however, started
away at once, and pursued their course
towards the Dead Mans Way. notwith
standing the gloomy forebodings ol
their comrades.