Western Kansas world., 1886-05-15
A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE.

Ours was gay neighborhood IN tn
GUNNER, when the planters all move'
from the river and bayous to the pine,
woods to spend the sickly season ant
enjoy pure air and water. Riding par
ties by day and impromptu dances a
night were always in order. Squir,
Mason our nearest neighbor, was fd
sdler of no mean skill, and being very
fond of his own music was always ready
to "give us chune" for country dance
cotiIlion, or regular old Virginny breal
down. The son of the merry old gentle
man was the hero of the adventure am
going to relate. He was very handsome
in dark brigandish style, and quite
plausible enough to steal away any girls
heart; nevertheless, he bore very indif,
ferent reputation even in our easy going
community. He was my particular de-
testation because he presumed to court
my sister Nell, which I justly considered
a very great presumption, considering
the many ugly stories current about
him.
One evening there had been neigh
borhood gathering at Squire Mason's
and about midnight Nell and were re-
turning home, riding double and escort
ed by Will Mason. 1t was not much
more than mile. but about half way we
had to pass dilapidated and deserted
house, which always gave me the shivers
in broad daylight, and which fearless
imp as usually was, I would have for
feited my whole summers vacation rath-
er than pass alone at night.
The negroes indeed insisted that it
swas infested by ''sperrits" or 'hants."
Perhaps they really believed SO; perhaps
: they hoped thus to prevent ''white folks"
: from intruding on convenient harbor
tfor uuzraways or nocturnal rendezvous.
The briers clambering. about it, the
dark, sentinel pines around, and the fit
full moonlight. all combined to make it
look as lonely, desolate, and haunted as
the most devout believer in ghosts could
possibly desire.
The road wound round the fence, but
there was short cut through the pre-
misses which our escort chose to take, de-
spite of our timid preferencefor the long
or route. He laughed at our fears, and
led the way over the broken fence, so we
had to follow nolens rolens. The path
ran close te the house, and was so mar
row and weed-grown, we movedm single
file and very slowly.
"What was that?" cried Nell, sudden
iy, when we were Just opposite the
broken windows OF the end room.
ssWhat was what?" retorted our escort,
looking back.
"What noise. 1 certainly heard noise
in that room Just now."
'What kind of noise? What was it
ike?"
SIT sounded like somebody moving
about the room, talking and groaning to
themselves"
"Al fancy, Miss Nellie. Your imagi-
nation has been wrought up to expect
something ghostly about this old she
bang, and it has played trick on your
ears"
.sIt was not fancy at ALL" cried I, my
hears not being strong enough to subiue
my love of contradiction. 81 heard it
too, and it sounded to me just like some
body calling your name in moaning,
grooming sort of way. Oh, Will Mason,
what have you been about that even the
spirits of the dead can't rest in peace,
but must come back from their graves to
talk to you, and Tighten other folks to
deathr'
This, it must be acknowledged, was
distinctively aggravating.
"What the-what on earth do you
mean, you little torment?' cried Will,
hosly. Suppose there's legion OF
ghosts in that old tumble-down barrack.
what have I got to do with it?"
"Then, pray, why did they call you If
you've nothing to do with them, nor
they with your
ADon't be foolish, Ju." said Nellie.
2Tm sure nobody. called Will heard
nothing Of the SORT"
81 did" retorted firmly, not to say
obstinately. 81 heard 'em just as plain
as could be. will Ma-a-s on just
that way; sort of grooming, you know
and die away, just like q ghost"
"You seem to have an intimate &C
auaintance with the ways and manners
- --A~~a. Nj r,, :. hvxk ev,zk In show Won.