San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-05-16

| tho bag down on stump ana rest ms
shoulder. Ho heard n noise behind him
and turning round, saw standing on the
wall q figure he afterward said was thir-
teen feet high at least. He did not stop
to observe tho figure very carefully,
though, but ran rs hard as he knew how
down the road. Next night q party of
men saw the ghost and thoy also ran.
They said tho ghost made after them,
breathing fro and birthstone and acting
in peculiarly weird and unholy man.
ner. After that the house was avoided
at night, but several strong parties of
men, including tho selcctmen Of the
town, saw the ghost from n respectful
distance. 1t approached them in each
case and in each case they took to their
heels.
About dusk l stole down to tho de-
serted house and it was dark when got
there. slid along tho wall to tho out
house, crept cautiously in and shut the
door again. Hardly had shut tho door
when knew that there was some other
person in that outhousc. I felt sure
there was somebody close by my elbow.
l was trembling lilio leaf, but ! man
aged to pull u match from my pocket and
strike it. held it up. 1t showed mo n
big white muffled figure not two feet
away. Then tho match went out.
Was scared?
Well, now, should say so. There are
some people who laugh at the idea Of
mans hair standing on end. They say
it is physical impossibility, but I know
better. could feel my hair riso right
up and lift my hat and my flesh crept.
But had no timo TO think. l jumped.
l had to jump. shut my eyes and
grabbed for the ghost / was so fright
ened l seemed to lose consciousness for n
moment, but grabbed something and
held on. When the first shock passed
felt the ghost tugging and pulling TO get
away from me. 1t seemed rs badly
frightened as was and its hands were
soft and warm.
Don't hurt me-" it said in terrified
voice.
I had no voice to reply with. I was
choking, but pulled my captive out on
the lawn and looked at it in the moon
light. The sheet that had been muffled
about the figure fell to tho ground--a
pretty girl Of Is was disclosed. ! was in
cold perspiration and shaking as II re-
covering from shock of electricity, but
when i saw that 1 had caught real
genuine flesh and blood girl and no
ghostI began to feel better. and presently
was able to talk.
"Who are your" asked.
"Jennie Baylis."
"What? The daughter Of Joe BaylisT
ayes, sir"
"What are you doing this for?"
The girl began to cry. She said she
had not meant any harm She and her
sister had played ghost just to have
some fun. Her sister was usually with
her, but did not come this night, as she
was too busy. She had heard from her
father that detective was coming to
catch the ghost, but thought he was not
due FOR q day or two, and resolved to
mako one last appearance and then give
up the performance till things calmed
down.
"Who are your" she asked.
I'm the detective" said.
She looked me over in evident awe and
CONSERVATION, tinged with some surprise
on account of my age.
"What are you going to do with me?'
al shall have to expose you"
The girl cried again and begged to be
released and allowed to 60 home, but
that did not suit me at all. I said she
was my prisoner and as such / must de-
liver her up to tho authorities, and after
> good deal of waiting she suggested that
had better give her up to her own fa-
ther. Iagreed to that, and picking up
her sheet ! held her arm and took her
with me to hor fathers house, about
mile distant.
Don't you know that you might have
been killed by somo Of those people you
rrightenedT' / asked.
"No, SIR, mover thought of that.
Everybody who saw me ran away"
When we got to the farm house where
jennie lived it was half past 0 o'clock.
Everybody was in bed and tho lights
were all out, but boldly knocked at the
door. A window opened and a mans
voice said:
"Whose theref'
"Me."
| "Who's me"
"The detective"
You're rather late. Why did you not
wait until tomorrow? Better come
around and see me in the morning"
81 want to see you now. have the
ghost"
/ At this the window was closed with a
bang and l heard hurried steps on the
stairs. The door opened and old Baylis
stood In tho doorway. He.was draped
/ in a very long old fashioned white gown
and woro a tall stecple shaped night cap.
One hand held up tin candleStick and
the other shaded the light a circle OF
beard sweeping under his chin from ear
I 10 car made him look very coniical. He
looked a. me in astonishnent, and when
Ire saw his daughter and the sheet l
thought lie was going into convulsions-
You. Jcnniey' be asked at length.
Z fYes, father said Jennie very humbly.
I Old Baylisdghed and said, Come In. =
/ Hc cent for the neighbors Immediately.
I don't know what was 6aid ct their
meeting, for / was not admitted 30 IL,
but cid Baylis gave me letter 70 the
. captain and PICKED me OG On The mid
night train. Next morning j reached
the ofIioe early and found al the men
r1cseni. waiting FOR tho captain 20 detail
t.cul. The men gTinned AZ me and
Fassed ihetirne q day pleasantly enough
Ihey all knew where I had been and an
ticifzfod a wonderful taleof disaster and
dafoaf. which they tSero rusdy % laugh
q. alfh1uch I vrss a favorite with thern-
having do1e many a piece q extra Work
f-.r r.-erv mn firre-