The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-08-11

grovelled In the most abject terror, terror
OF nothing, too. I was accustomed, when
my school-mates refused to Join some mad
cap scheme Of mine, TO taunt them: 20, you
are afraid you'll get scartr' had been
afraid should be frightened, mortifying as
the thought was.
When looked around. concluded that
had wandered quite over the crest OF the
mountain and was far down the eastern
slope. Ny wisest course seemed to be to go
down to the clearing and ascertain my loca-
tion. few minutes walk brought me In
sight Of the road with several houses; the
river and low land seemed hidden behind
little ridge was familiar with the aspect
of the eastern slope, but looked in vain for
single familiar object. I recalled each
farm in regular succession, but none OF them
corresponded with what saw before me.
Somewhat surprised, decided to 20 to
the nearest house and seek information.
'Tm not obliged to ask them who lives
there, but can ask the nearest way to Mr..
Plumley's."
With this thought started toward little
brown house whose chimney, crowned with
| a curling smoke, announced that the occu-
pants were up. Presently saw man with
u basket; he went to one corner OF the gar
den and began to throw something into
little sty there. Apparently he was feeding
some baby pigs. was within four or five
yards of him when, with great start,
recognized him as Mr.. Howard, our neigh
bor rubbed my eyes vigorously, for the
scales were dropping from them by the
dozen.
was at the very door of the house which
knew better than any other except my
own home. Within twenty-five rods was
the school-house, the playground the cairn
rock the balm of Gilcad tree. So firm had
been in my belief that l was on tho cast
side that had looked for half hour on
landscape which was as familiar as the feat
ures of my mothers face, and had not
known it.
Fortunately, my footsteps on the sward
were quite noiseless and had u little time
to recover myself before was seen. When
Mr.. Howard turned he called, cheerily:
'Good morning. Jane; you are out carly"
A sob came with my reply.
"Why, what's the matterl Any your folks
sickl" I did not answer Then, noticing
my trail through the dewy grass he asked:
"Where'd you come fromp
"Of'n the mountain" (sob). "Been there
all night" (sob). "I'm most froze."
"My senses! Poor child, no wonder. Here,
come into the house, hung back little,
for his kindly words had increased my sobs
to a genuine boo-hoo.
"Come, there's good fire. Why in the
world didn't John Plumley raise the neigh
bors and hunt you UP"
"He thought was at Mr.. Story's." Then
explained why was not missed
"Here, wife wife!" he called, as he
opened the door, ''heres Jane Plumley; she
lay on Skitchawaug last night, and I'll be
hanged if don't b'lieve she was afraid she
should get scarf fur once. Want you,
Janew
Eyes" said, still crying, softly.
"She's almost froze, wife. Le' me start
up the fire and do you whack up cup Of
coffee for her."
s'Poor childl" said Mrs. Howard, almost
crying herself. "Of course she shall have
coffee and biscuits, too. if you don't burn
them to charcoal. Don't you put in another
stick, Seth Howard. I'll kill the fatted calf
if you say so, but you sha'n't burn the house
down ="
She brought warm water and bathed my
face which was bruised and blood-stained
from my frequent contact with the trees the
night before Then shared their generous
breakfast, while Mrs. Howard piled my
plate with every good thing which her
pantry or cellar afforded.
"Poor thing, to think Of you being ont on
that mountain amongst the bears and rat
tlesnakes all night! shouldn't "a slept a
wink if had known it,"
"Pshaw, Sally! I'll warrant they didn't
trouble Jane; and you didn't see old Muck
leroy either, did you, Jane."
mo, SIR" I replied, emphatically. Old
Muckleroy was prominent ghost seventy
years before, and tradition had preserved his
fame. You see, knew positively that did
not see him, though l did think of him at
one time.
| That is the end of my story. After break
fast went homo. OF course no one had
even missed me, but equally of course the
| truth had to come out. / suffered no harm
from my neutrality-suspicious. it did me good.
At least the girls thought so, for was not
so apt after that to taunt them for their
senseless fear of nothing. I had had my
| own experience Whitney, IN Youth's
| Companion.