Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-03-02
HOW FREDDY SCARED TOM.

cried Freddy, as he slammed to the door
and looked over to Lucy.
But Lucy couldn't have thought him
very sick, since she kept on playing
with her doll.
"The way that Tom Strong puts on
his airsn' This time Freddy hurled
down his cap.
His aim was not as careful as it should
have been, for the emissary of his wrath
struck a miniature bedstead, and sent
flying upon the floor the two most cher
ished members of Lucy's household
''Some folks can make one sick,'' re-
marked Lucy, dryly, as she moved her
dormitory to one side.
But however universal the truth, Fred
dy gave his elder brother the exclusive
benefit of it, and, feeling encouraged by
Lucys attention, expressed his conf
dence in getting even with that Tom -
yet,
"What can you do?'' asked Lucy, as
the numerous advantages in favor of
Tom flashed across her mind.
''You leave that to me-" said Freddy,
in very positive manner
To this plan Lucy seemed readily to
agree, for she was turning to her dolls,
when Freddy suddenly slapped his
hands together with this exclamation:
Il know what we'll dor'
"What?h asked Lucy.
"We'll scare himr'
'sPshaw!' said Lucy, ssyou can't
scare Tom
"See if I can't" answered Freddy,
as he buttoned up his jacket in u very
aggressive manner.
but how are you going to do it?''
queried Lucy.
EASY enough" said Freddy, in
lower tone, and coming near to Lucy.
"You know papa's coat?''
The mysterious manner and words
couldn't leave Lucy in doubt.
"What, the uniform coatp''
Eyes, the uniform coat,' answered
Freddy, with emphasis. as if Tom con-
duct had necessitated more than ordi-
nary measures.
''The one he got shot IMP" persisted
Lucy. as if it was impossible that Fred
dy should entertain so desperate a
scheme.
Eyes, the one he got shot in! / told
you I'd get even with him; and you
didn't believe it, did you?''
IS But it's in the dark closet!''
$50 can 1 be in theret' haughtily
answered Freddy, "and get it and put
it on, and papa's hat, too, and a false
face; and won't Tom jump and scream
when he comes in! Oh, no, mebbe
notr'
''But Freddy Strong, dare you 90
into the dark closet?' queried Lucy.
sOf course / dare! Come oni'' and
Freddy moved toward the door.
But when he had reached the closet,
opened the door, and looked in, he
stopped long enough on the threshold
to assure Lucy that there was nothing
there to hurt them.
"But do you know where the coat
is?' said Lucy.
"Oh, yes" answered Freddy; "and
now you keep close behind me''
''Don't you suppose there's blood on
itP' suggested Lucy, just as if there
wasn't enough of horror around the un-
dertaking already.
"Well, it will only scare Tom the
more, them" argued Freddy.
There was faint CLEAN of light to
guide them, and Freddy remembered
pretty well where he had seen his father
put the mysterious garment. So the
children had not much trouble in find
ing it and getting it down; but when it
came to putting it on, another large
draft was made on Freddy's courage.
It is true they couldn't see any blood
stains on it, but then there might be;
and the ragged hole in the shoulder
where the bullet went tearing through
looked so terrible, and the old brass
buttons seemed to be watching every
thing they did with it.
Lucy, don't you think it will scare
Tom?' solemnly asked Freddy, looking
away upon the floor.
II shouldn't wonderr' said Lucy,
with a CLEAN of roguery in her eyes as
she looked at Freddy.
So he gritted his teeth, and then they
got their fathers cap, and then Freddy
was ready for his campaign of desola-
tion-all but the false face! That was
in the kitchen cupboard.
Lucy was willing enough to go for it.
but Freddy, for some reason, did not
warmly embrace the idea of being left
alone; but at last, persuaded there was !
no other way, and determined to
achieve his purpose of soaring Tom, he
resolved to be brave, after specially en-
joining Lucy to hurry right back.
Lucy started 1Oftn IN GOOD faith, but |
unfortunately for Freddy's whole |
scheme, as she opened the kitchen door
a draft of wind rushed in and shut tight |
the closet door, and that instant not |
only Lucy, but her mother. Bridget and
Tom, who sat whiting on the steps, |
heard the most terrible cries and shouts
for help.
ALI rushed from the kitchen and
toward the closet, from whence the
cries for immediate assistance plainly
proceeded; but only Lucy could form
the slightest notion of what the matter
was.
The door was hurriedly opened.