The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1889-05-09

WHICH cou4o no" see IN the gunner OF the
startling.
Every thing looked peaceful and calm
There was not a breath of air, and the leaves
hung motionless upon the trees. neared
the bridge; moment more would set my
foot upon it; when a sound fell upon my
ear, coming up apparently from the earth
beneath my feet 1t sounded like the ring
of hammers striking upon metal, but in
measure deadened by the sound through the
Garth. paused for moment, listening
eagerly, and glancing about me on every
side. The sound of the several hammers
kept up their ring beneath my feet, but all
was quiet about me. Every living thing
seemed to be sleeping. Nothing spoke of
life, save that strange sound that came up
from the solid earth on which stood.
Il moved forward and set my foot upon
the bridge somewhat heavily, and then l
paused and listened again. All was as
silent as the grave. The rat-tat of the ham,
mers had ceased, and although l waited
several moments it was not renewed, and I
began to think that had been mistaken in
the direction from whence the sound had
come; that it might be a woodpecker at
work on dead tree that stood near by,
though why it should be at work at night
when it ought to be on its roost could not
determine.
II moved slowly across the bridge, and
paused again by the further edge. The fear
I had felt ten minutes before, as 1 neared
the bridge, was nearly departed, and am
afraid was pluming myself on my cour-
age. when, glancing towards the other end
of the bridge, beheld sight that caused
the hair on my head to rise 80 violently as
to almost throw of my hat, while l felt cold
shlvers running over me strangely.
ION the opposite end of the bridge, in the
very spot where had stood but moment
before, now lowered tall figure, wrapped
in a sheet that touched its feet. One hand
was held aloft, in which was graspcd what
appeared to be bloody dagger. The eyes
seemed burning with blue flame, and
similar light shone from its mouth and
nostrils. A more hideous sight it would be
hard to conceive; and when it uttered a
fearful groan, as if in mortal agony, it was
more than could stand, and taking to my
heels left the bridge behind me at pac,
not to be despised by those who value
light pair of heels.
II reached home without further adven-
ture, and went to bed; but never closed
my eyes to sleep that night l thought of
what had seen and heard, and 1 made up
my mind to sift the matter to the bottom.
If the ghosts Of the departed, wrapped in
sheets, walked the earth, wanted it fairly
understood that such was the case; and if it
We're trick wanted to expose the author.
At any rate, would pay the bridge visit
by daylight, and see what discoveries 1
could make that would throw light upon
the subject.
"When l made my appearance at the
table the next morning was questioned as
to what had SEEM and told them all, and
also of my determination to go to the bridge
that forenoon. AS the visit was to be made
in daylight, father offered to accompany me;
and we went, accordingly.
''For one hour we wandered over and
under the bridge; and then discovered the
clue-a very slight one. indeed-one that
might lead to nothing, but still worth the
trial of following up, and we went home to
make our arrangements.
''Nine o'clock that night saw haIf-score
Of men secreted about the BRIDGE Sheriff
Clark among the number, and quarter of
an hour later came whistling down the
road as unconcerned as though the bridge
were not haunted by so fearful an object
every night. Icrossed the bridge and went
out through the woods, and made call on
Susan. 1 saw and heard nothing while CON-
ing, and an hour later l set out on my re-
turn. had told Susan during the day of
my plan, and that was why she had been
sitting up for me.
"On my retNrn through the woods was
not troubled with the fear of meeting the
ghost, for I knew there were enough in
number waiting by the bridge to lay any
decent one that should prove to be of our
earthly mould. So went bravely on, and
when came in sight of the bridge fell to
whistling. and walked slower, 50 as to give
| no To
before l crossed over; but it did not; so l
passed along and crossing over. paused in
the very spot where had the night before
A groan sounding behind me caused me to
turn quickly, and there l beheld the figure
standing where had seen it the night be-
fore, and in spite OF the extra courage had
put on l was half tempted to fly, and leave
my comrades to fight the battle alone
1.-THE thought was only for moment; the
next all fear was gone, and gave the signal
we had agreed upon. In moment it was
echoed from the other side of the bridge
and my comrades sprang into the road be-
hind the object, which now seemed inclined
to fee. Its retreat was cut off, so there was
nothing for it to do but advance, and it
came bounding across the bridge towards
me at swift pace, no doubt thinking that
one man was easier to brighten than half a
dozen.
lit came on, and was about to pass me
without paying me the least attention,
when put out my foot, and it fell headlong
upon the timber with a substantial sound
that was very unghostlike, and before it
could recover itself was upon it and strip
ping it Of its sheet and a sort of mask it
wore There lay revealed the half insensi-
| BILE form of Joe Hanson, a fellow who bore
an evil repute in the neighborhood, and
many wondered by what process he OBJ
tanned livelihood.
"Joe was taken into custody by the sheriff,
but he was so stunned by the fall that moth
ing could be obtained from him then. Moth
ing further could be found about the
bridge that night, but the next day Joe
confessed all. A gang of counterfeiters had
q sort of cave in the bank beneath
the bridge, and to brighten people
away while at work he had acted
the part of ghost. There were two en-
frances to the cave-one that would not
have been suspected in the bank beneath the
bridge, and which puzzled US greatly to dis
Germ after being assured by Joe that it was
tEere-and the other some half-dozen rods
away in the woods. The cave, when visited
the next morning, was found to be well
fitted up with tools, and there was also a
| large amOunt VI DOSuS COINS lOun0 therein.
The hammers were lying ON the benches
where the gang had left them and made
their escape when they heard the scuffle on
the bridge, and knew they had produced
the sounds that had at first attracted my
attention. and which, with the finding of q
bogus coin in the bed Of the stream, led to
the discovery we had made. A part Of the
gang made good their escape and these that
remained were arrested on the evidence o.
Joe, and convicted. The ghost, that so long
had troubled Parson Brown and his flock,
was laid, sInd had no further cause for fear
Whe1 uavipR susan the remainder at the