Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-01-26

the exploration so thorough that he
strongly advocated going home and to
bed, and bringing in sealed verdict.
''No ghost" But we wouldn't hear of
it. So, having made sure that the front
door was unlocked on the inside, and
could be opened instantaneously if the
proposed ghost were disposed to be vio-
lent, or use language unfit for Gears
polite" we made ourselves as cOmfOrta-
BILE in the hall as the circumstances of
no bed and an indefinite ghost would
allow
Ten o'clock-no ghost. Eleven-not
sound. Eleven-thirty-"Ned, you're
snoring.
"Oh, no; was thinking how
Suddenly there was a crash some
where in the house.
"By George!" gasped Fed, "we're in
for it, boys, and don't you forget it !"
[ don't know how long we waited,
bat then it began again-frst a sneeze,
then a kissing sound, then pail rolling
down stairs, followed by an assortment
of dust-pans and fre-irOns.
This was first-class. After the storm
ceased, Butter-Scotch, in a committee
of one, proposed that we should alter
the verdict to ''ghosts emphatically,"
and go home. 1t was entertaining, but
TO tell the truth, he was sleepy.
) In few minutes there was another
J crash, and we saw something white on
the stairs, slowly and solemnly ap-
preaching. As it neared the bottom, it
raised an arm; low moan came from
it, and a rasping sound of a by no
means cheerful character.
Butter-Scotch made for the door, and
: III his excitement pushed against it in
stead of pulling, so he couldn't get out.
: The ghost, seeing our fright, uttered a
shrek, and came swiftly toward US.
f This was too much for flesh and blood
to bear, and Butter-Scotch yelled,
Murder thieves fire !" frantic with
r horror, and we all three pulled and
L pushed, beside ourselves with fear.
3. Just as the ghost had nearly reached
US, Ned pulled the door open, and
l there was a crash and rush, and be-
fore [ knew what had happened the
2 door was shut to with bang, and
f was left in darkness in the hall, with
} the knowledge that the beastly ghost
: was where it could touch me if il
= wanted to. A second of silence anC
then a voice Kissed, "Cowards !" I in
e dorsed that opinion heartily, but the
I others were greater towards than
e was; [ wouldn't have kicked the ligh
< out Of the lantern, or shut the door OF
G them.
t There was yawn, and then the
i thing said, ooh, my!"
[ plucked up my spirits little. Th'
j ghost had sense enough to be sleepy
and 1 thought [ could stand little
:. talk, if it would only keep hands off
T Possibly it wanted to find the door, 70
it came straight toward me. But tn,
i knob wasn't where the phantom
thought it ought to be, and the seekin;
n hand rested for about two seconds OF
my nose. The touch gave me courage
e it was warm, soft and pleasant as q wo
II mans. / stretched out my arms anC
e grasped the phantom. 1t shrieked ant
started, but [ was strong, and the ghos
g was solid, so it didn't get away. [ didn'
o feel afraid of it then on the contrar,
it seemed afraid me.
'Dear ghost, sweet ghost" l said, I"
L won't hurt you"
The answer came tremblingly ant
K low: What are you saying? Wh'
sent YOU?
L "Why, my darling ghost" [ said
a "the lady that's going to be Mrs. But
it ter-Scotch."
y Glow do you know she is?''
t ooh, [ know we'll enough. You mus
be a smart ghost not to know that"
l. "She doesn't love him."
ooh, yes she does. My sweet little
. phantom, you're entirely mistaken
t Come, I'll see if can't light the liant
ern, if that insane BOBBY hasn't smash
ed it all to pieces in getting out"
"Let me go, please" the ghos
begged, IN very polite manner, and a
it spoke the words sounded to me yer,
: much as from human voice disguised
= and yet [ couldn't see for the life of M
: how anything human could have go
- into the house after we came i'll, O.
); how anything human could have mad,
. such an everlasting row, and ratified it
. bones so unpleasantly. But the ghost
hands had flesh on them. Nv curisoity
:. was aroused, so I said: ono, [ canno
! let you 60"
s It's wrong, hugging me, when yot
Y love another"
: " Whom do [ love?"
4 Mrs. Butter-Scotch, of course.
know all about it.
" You do, Ell? Then I suppose you
know how it happened?"
" Yes, of course I do"
}. " Do you know why I stopped ?"
Because you hadn't money enough
[ to ask her to marry you"
2 You're perfectly right, my dear little
t ghost, but neither you nor I know
: whether she'd have married me even il
[ had happened to have plenty Of
money. [ wish you'd tell me that"
81 won't do anything of the kind
! Pm perfectly surprised at myself for
talking to a mortal so long. Goodbye
: man. Go back to the Humphreys and
tell them what you have seen. If the
old man buys this house won't make
it hot for him Goodbye, mortal"
But wouldn't let go of the ghosts
arm.
please let me go now" the phan-
tom beseeched.
A bright idea came to me. I said
"Can [ trust you2 Is a ghosts word
good for anything?"
With great dignity it answered: eyes;
never lie"
CAN right. If you'll promise to meet
me tomorrow evening under the old
apple tree on Mr.. Humphreys place at
10 o'clock, I'll let you CO." And as l