Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1889-12-04

m. Dnkss alone for fear tho ghost
might como while TIM gone"
Lard bless you, NASSAU cried the
idArky, rolling up his eyes, de elders
nice - cher was. and Sambo wouldn't
have no disjectives against = drink Of il,
but this chile wouldn't 60 down into
that sullur 1t dis time Of night for all
the cider in the world!'
"Fiddlesticksi" said Dukes, Deacon,
we'll 60 down together. It needs two,
one to hold the light, and the other tina
mug"
So the two men cautiously descended
the stairs, and approached the apart.
ment under the chimney where the
cider was kept.
sHark," said Dukes, .what was that?"
II guess il was somebody come In up
STAIRS said the Deacon, ~neryously: Il
thought I heard o door shut. I'll go up
and see"
NO, no. replied dukes, @let's get
the cider first
They opened the door Of the cider
cellar and went inside. Instantly the
door changed to. and the key grated in
the lock.
A tall, white-robed figure, with the
ghostly face Of a dead man, confronted
the two trembling heroes.
Dukes fell on his knees behind .
cider barrel, and the Deacon jumped
into ~ ash box, and screamed Justify.
@Don't take mel" cried Dukes; ats
the Deacon you're after. He's been .
dreadful old reprobate. I'm honest,
belong to the church, and give $5 to
the minister, besides q couple Of pounds
of butter Thanksgiving time"
He's the very n you want!" cried
the Deacon; take him, dear, good
ghost! He cheated the Wilder Smith
in work and he sold sassingers made
out Of liver! Spare me! I'm an old,
gray-headed man, and cant last long,
deacon Pratt" cried the sapulchral
voice Of the ghost, ION one condition
you shall both go free! None other!
Promise, both OF ye, what I require, or
l will drag you down to everlasting
torment!"
Anything! Anything" cried the
Deacon.
Il PROMISE" said Mr.. Dukes.
Deacon Pratt, Thomas Calender
loves your daughter. In separating
them you sold your soul to the devil.
Consent to their marriage, and I leave
yon forever! Refuse, and I give Won
over to Satan! Consent, both OF YET
Il do! dor said the Deacon; "she
shall marry him whenever she likes"
II give her np!" said Dukes; "the
Widder Buggins will make the best
housekeeper, after ALL"
$50 them" said the ghost and flung
open the door.
Out rushed the Deacon aud Dukes
and mp the stairs, but Sambo had fas-
tened the cellar door, and Belinda was
pouring boiling water through all the
cracks.
Faith, and it's after seeing if he
can stand hot water, l ami" cried she.
"Divil a bit Of a ghost in me own coun-
try could live through thatl" ind she
let go q second kettleful, right onto the
heads Of the wretched "ghost-layers..
Jerusalem" reared the Deacon, and
springing over Dukes, he made for the
outside cellar door, where he was seized
by Tower, the big dog, and had the
wits nearly shaken out Of him, before
the animal discovered that he was deal
ing with his own master.
Dukes rushed out also. and the two
fled to the bedroom Of Mrs. Pratt and
got under the bed. with the bureau
against the door, where they laid till
morning, listning to the growing Of
Tower, and the snoring Of Mrs. Pratt.
The Deacon kept his word. He mar
ried Tom and Nellie, and set them up at
housekeeping. And Mr.. Dukes mar.
ried the Wilder Bnggins.
And the ghost was seen no more.
But mp in Tom calendars private
closet there hangs y long white garment,
and o mask like the face of a dead man,
which might suggest an idea or two to
. person who was sceptical in regard to
ghosts.