Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-10-24


were both thoroughly honest in their con-
victions, still could not bring myself to
accept the thins rs supernatural. ldressel
and, rs WAS my custom, went ont to the
kennel to visit my friend Captain, for by
this time there was \ mutual attachments
between us, and | would sooner have
trusted the beasts loyalty than would
most mems. With Captain for IN ally |
should feel comparatively safe, for he was
the very perfection Of bravery.
The day was pleasant, there was not a
cloud in the sky, and gentle wind blew
with 4 delicious GOODNESS. Dinner had
been very late, for Mrs. Shelly WAS not
well. Ii was drawing towards o'clock
when took my accustomed seat on the
porch with my pipe. Shelly joined me;
his wife was sitting inside by the window.
Ny eyes were involuntarily turning to-
wards the Mlien tvcc. Shelly OWNED my
thoughts, for he shook his head grarciy,
smoked on and said nothing. Suddenly
there came n half-suppresScd cry from
Mrs. Shelly, and at the same instant her
husband exclaimed; "Therc, doE't You
see it. Look"
gazcd steadily ut the spot, but could
discern nothing unusual, and told him So.
"Amd you don't SEQ its" he cried.
"Watch how il waves its arms toward us
and dances on the log"
arose to my feet and went TO the edge
of the porch. Every foot Of the tree
trunk WAS visible, but nowhere could
discern ghost. | absolutely could see
nothing but .hc old wcathcr-bcatcn and
Gccayimg log.
Hleavcns :" exclaimed Shelly, "oh-
serve how wildly il toSses its arms and
see how its lrapcry trails"
took steady look at the speaker, fop
| could not reconcile the matter, and
said II will try and solve this thing"
"Don't go there, implorcd Mrs. shelly,
rs / stepped down on the ground.
made no reply, but walked straight Ia
Captains kennel and unclaimed him.
cold boy" said, patting his head,
''you and will try il together. Come
along"
The noble fellow appeared to comprc-
hend me, for he looked up In my face,
licked my hand and walked gravcly by
my side. lie didn't frisk or gambol, but
behaved with the seriousness becoming
the occasion. | went straight down the
road, mounted the fence and jumped over,
Captain keeping little in my advance. |
had excited the creature 10y talking To
him until the hair stood tiilly mp on his
neck and his eyes glarcd like Goals. To
my utter CONSERVATION whom he WAS
dashing ahead braycly and about twenty
feet from the tree he gazcd IN dalcd
manner for nn instant and, utterinS
sharp cry, dropped his tail between his
lcos and rushed back tO the house with all
his speed looked at his retrentng form
with a sort Of bewildcrmcnt and then nj
the tree. There was certainly nothing
unusual visible to my eyes AT least. Tho
baIe, old tree trunk, that was all.
smiled rs mounted il and took several
turns up and down its length, aud then
walked lcisurcly back to the house. Cap
tain was lying by h!s masters chair,
trembling in every limb; the dog was
surely terrified.
81 saw Eothing," ] remarked.
"But we did," returned Mrs. Shelly.
every step yOu took the thing followed
you, waving its arms over your head. d,
| am so sorry you went there. something
will surely happen II YOU are not careful.
You were too rash. II was too perilous,"
and she wrung hor hands.
alt las gone now," said Shelly.
Seventeen years have elapsed since
then, and am not conscious Of amy par
ticular evil having ovcrtaken me, but
there is one thing wonld like very much
TO know-if Shelly and his wife did not
see ghost, what dill tho dog cc?-J. N.
~, IN PhiLdieiphid Times.