The Wilmingtonian., 1886-10-02

II wouldn't not for nifty dollars, salo JoD
"Old Michael Westerbrook hung himself
from the middle beam fourteen years ago,
and folks say be stands up there with rope
around his neck every moonlight night"
'Stuff and nonsense ?" calculated the Cap
tain in accents of supreme contempt. you
great cowardly lout, stay where you are
then, and I'll 20 myself"
He sprang nimbly up the rounds of the
ladder and disappeared through the trap
door.
"Wbere is it ?" he called
"The ghostP Right under the middle
beam by the windy was the place where"
"Blockbead / mean the string OF BELLS"
"Look for 'em yourself" said Job, sulki-
ly. don't know where they be, and what's
more, don't care"
I'm settle with you, my fine fellow, when
come down y said the Captain, threaten
lng, as he CROPPED about in the dim light
which was admitted by cob-web draped
window at either end of the barn chamber
Don't hurry yourself, Cap'n," rejoned
job in jeering mood.
As the Captain plunged into dark corner
there was jingle, and the string of bells
suspended from a nail hit him directly on
the neck, SO like the grasp of death cold
fingers that he could not but start.
"Ohl' said the Captain, nervoualy. "Here
they are. Catch 'em, JobP Hellol where's
the trap dour,
And it took the militia-man fully sixty
seconds or more to realize that the trap door
was closed and fastened on the lower side.
He rushed TO the window and threw it up
only to see Job speeding up the hill.
"Hal-lo-oa" yelled Captain Meredith.
Come back,you scoundrell you ill condition
ed loutl you imp of evil"
Job turned around and executed that Pc
culiar gyration of the fingers in connection
with the nasal protuberance which is sup
posed to express the extremity of scorn.
"You'll find the ladder on the barn floor,
Cap'n," hooted this young rebel. "And
don't be afeard of the ghost. It's very harm
les if you let it alone"
But Job-Job come back-Pm to be at
Mr.. Harrington's at half past seven."
DON'T worryl" hoarsey bawled Job.
Miss Sibyl won't wait very long afore Mr..
Max'll be on hand"
The Captain danced up and down the
barn Hoor in au eastacy OF rage rs Job dis
appeared over the crest of the hill. There
was no use calling for help. He knew very
well that if he had possessed the lungs of
Bofeas he could not have made any one hear
He sat shrering down On the hay, starting
nervously at the sound of kicking Bllly's
feet among his snug bed of straw and think
ing bow disagreeabIy "a bar of moonlight
which streamed down from crack in the
roof, resembled tall, white figure standing
under the centre beam. He could almost
fancy the rope around its neck--psbaw
Aud the Captain jumped up again, with
starting dew on his temples, even in the
freezing atmosphere of the barn chamber.
What was to be doneP he asked himself
Aud echo, if echo had had common sense
would have answered "Just nothing al
all ~ Job had out witted him. He might,
and probably would, ''sette" with job for
the future. but for the present Job had
manfestly the advantage of him. And pret
ty Sibyl and Max Crossley, with his red cut.
ter and great chestnut coored horse The
Captain executed an impromptu series of
gymnastics in the hay as he reflected on
these thugs
II won't wait another minute for him, /"
said sibyl Harrington, coloring up with tears
in her blue eyes. go on, girls--I shall
spend the evening at home"
There's plenty of room for you in our
sleigh, Sibyl," coaxed her brother great
good-humored athelete, with red whiskers
and dmples like her own. "Bessie Brown
will be glad to have you along"
"No, she will not either" pouted Sibyl,
''as if were going to spoi all her fun. No
if can't have an escort of my own, I'll
stay at home and mend stockings. And l
never will speak to Captain Meredith againp'
Hosea Harrington was just opening his
mouth to argue the matter with his sister
once more when the door opened and in
walked Max Crossley.
Sibyl jumped up radiantly she had never
been so glad to see honest Max in her life
before.
''Not gone yet, Sibylp Where is the Cap
tain ?'
~ don't KNOWS sibyl tartly, "and !
don't care. Am / Captain Meredith'f
| keeper"
"Will you go with mel"
eyes, will" said sibyl, the purple light
coming into her eyes and the shy smiles
dimpling her lips.
'of course, said Max, ''I can't expect tc
make myself as agreeable as the city Cap.
tain, butt
"The Captain the Captain - cried Sibyl
little irritably. sim sick of the sound OF
his name never want to see him again
What nice new cutter this is, and how
cosy the wolf robes are -
''Slbyl," whispered Max, as he touched ur
the horse and felt her Nesting close to him,
''is it for always?"
Yes always" she answered.
|
"Je-rusalem |" said Farmer Westerbrook,
1t was past 10 O'Clock at night and the
old gentleman had come out, as he always
did the last thing before retiring to rest, to
see that job had not set the barn on fire, and
that the dumb members of his family were
safe and comfortable. II do believe that is
old Mike Westel brooks ghost come to life
again, poundn' like all possessed on the
barn chamber 1nor y
'It's me-e-e it's ne-e-e!" bawled the
Captain, forgetting all the nicer distinction,
of gra nm If IN his delight at the prospects
of release "unfasten the trap-door let m,