Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-02

the other, aud so crossed drys bod.
There was no moon, but the stars wer
shining brightly as went down the road Oh
my way TO see Susan. Ny delight at tn
prospect of seeing her again filed my mind
but as neared the outskirts of the wood
that lined the Branch, l could not he'll
thinking of the stories I had heard that day
and as / went along | must confess that
cast many a glance among the trees, as
expected TO see something that would
cause the hair to rise upon nv head
Whistling, I'm afraid to keep up my cour
age passed along and over the bridge
without seeing or hearing any thing coul(
| not account for.
"Susan was at home, and so glad to Sc,
me that the hours passed unheeded, and i
was past midnight when gave her a part
ing kiss on the doorstep, and set out fol
home, despite her repeated invitation to re
| tire there, and not brave the terrible mon
ster that had taken up his quarters at the
bridge; for she like the rest, firmly believed
in the story Of the ghost. think she wa:
secretly proud of my courage, and on thai
account was glad did not accept her ipvi
tation, for woman always likes pluck in
the man she has chosen for husband. Her
last words, when she found was going, were
caution to be careful, and then she closed
the door, and was alone, with the lonely
walk and the ghost before me.
at must be confessed that when l drew
near to the edge of the forest that led to the
bridge, had less courage than when / set
out from home that evening. As l have
said it was past midnight-the very time
| when ghosts may be expected to be wander
| ing about, according to old but good author
ity; and if such thing did haunt the bridge,
/ was in a fair wav to be favored with a
view of it. However, summoned all the
courage l could muster, and went boldly
| forward, and in few minutes was so close
upon the bridge that could hear the water
as it rippled over the stones beneath.
Although told myself that there was no
occasion for any feelings of dread or alarm,
l did not feel quite at ease as neared the
spot where the ghost was said to be seen.
Every one l had met since had got home
told the same story, Susan among the num-
Der, and her, at least, Iregarded as person
of sense; and such evidence will go far to
convince a fellow, even against his own
better judgment. If there really was a
ghost, was just in the right time to see it
and making up my mind to face whatever
was before me, 1 approached the bridge,
startling.
Every thing looked peaceful and calm
There was not breath of air, and the leaves
hung motionless upon the trees neared
the bridge; moment more l would set my
foot upon it; when 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 a
measure deadened by the sound through the
earth. l 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 l 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 l
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 l could not
determine.
II moved slowly across the bridge, and
paused again by the further edge. The fear
l had felt ten minutes before, as l neared
the bridge was nearly departed, and l am
afraid | was pluming myself on my cour-
age, when, glancing towards the other end
of the bridge, beheId q sight that caused
the hair on my head to rise so violently as
to almost throw of my hat, while | felt cold
shivers 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 sheet that touched its feet. One hand
was held aloft, in which was grasped what
appeared to be bloody dagger. The eyes
seemed burning with blue fame, and a
similar light shone from its mouth and
nostrils A more hideous sight it would be
hard to conceive; and when it uttered
fearful groan, as if in mortal agony it was
more than / could stand, and taking to my
heels left the bridge behind me at pace
not to be despsed by those who value a
light pair of heels.
81 reached home without further adyen-
ture, and went to bed; but l never closed
my eyes to sleep that night / thought of
what / had seen and heard, and made up
my mind to sift the matter to the bottom
If the ghosts Of the departed, wrapped in
sheets, walked the earth l wanted it fairly
understood that such was the case; and if it
were trick wanted 10 expose the author.
At any rate, would pay the bridge visit
by daylight, and see what discoveries l
could make that would throw light upon
the subject
when / made my appearance at the |
table the next morning l was questioned as
TO what had seen, and told them all, and |
also of my determination to go to the bridge |
hat forenoon. As the visit was to be made |
n daylight father offered to accompany me;
Ind we went, accordingly.
For one hour we wandered over and |
lnder the bridge; and then discovered the |
,lue-a very slight one. indeed-one that |
night lead to nothing, but still worth the |
rial of following up, and we went home to |
maize our arrangements.
'tNine o'clock that night saw half-score
If men secreted about the bridge, Sheriff |
Clark among the number. and quarter of |
In hour later l came whistling down the |
'oad as unconcerned as though the bridge |
we're not haunted by so fearful an object |
every night crossed the bridge and went |
tut through the woods, and made call on |
Snsan. saw and heard nothing while COM
ng, and an hour later l set out on my re-
urn. l had told Susan during the day of |
ny plan, and that was why she had been |
lifting up for me.
'On my return through the woods was
lot troubled with the fear of meeting the |
,host, for l knew there were enough in
lumber waiting by the bridge to lay any |
lecent one that should prove to be of our
,arthly mould So went bravely on, and |
when came in sight of the bridge / fell to
and walked slower, so as to give
he ghost chance to make its appearance
before / crossed over; but it did not; SO l |
'assed along and crossing over paused in