Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-03-14
echanisown Frederick County, Maryland Thursday March A. l889
'pinion, the very acme of absurdity.

if you will not disturb anything. I've
had several blankets stolen, and more
than one harness ruined
i didn't do it, interrupted the
tramp, with the nearest approach to
sprightliness that he had yet shown.
I don't know as you did; and as long
as I find everything right after your
departure. I'll let you bunk in there.
With this, Williams led the way to
the barn, the tramp walking behind
him. The door was fastened with Il
large paddock, which was unlocked.
The man went in, his form instantly
vanishing in the gloom, while the far.
mer closed the do)r and went to the
house.
All this was so natural and so much
by the way that it seems scarcely worth
the telling; but in relating the Incl
dents Of that night, WlIlla rs never
fails to give every particular as we have
done.
I don't know as he has ever done
anything amiss, muttered Williams as
he went back into the house; and I'm
glad | didn't turn him off, for 1t would
have been rather rough not to allow
hun a place to sleep
The farmer after locking up his
house, assembled to the second story
whittier his wife had preceded him, and
where she now was in sound slumber.
The location Of the room was such
that the barn was directl y opposite.
being on the other sid. of the road.
Williams had extinguished the light
down stairs, being so we'll acquainted
with the bearings Of all the different
apartments that he did not need its as
sIs,ance. and be now walked to the
front window and looked across at the
barn, which he had left but few min
ut's before.
The moon, It will be remembered was
very bright. the rays falling in such a
manner that the entire front Of tie
building WAS in the light, while that
part of the house which feel it was in
the shadow.
He stood at the window for several
minutes, idly, looking out, when at
once heard Il terrific rumhling, kicking
and laundering within the barn ac,
compaued by the terrified shouts Of
some one.
Good heavens, what can that mean
exclaimed Williams. He must have
lalIen under the feet Of the horses.
He WAS about to start out to the help
Of the poer fellow, when he suddenly
leaprl ont Of the win low Of the barn,
or large half door Of the second story.
Here was where the havmow WAS
placed and from which of course the
tramp sprang.
This is the strangest thing ever
saw. exclaimed the plzzIed spectator.
What is 1t that has frightened him so
ttrribly?'
lie looked and listened attentively
for some explanation, bat everything
remained as profoundly quietly as be-
fore
Minute after minute passed, and not
the slightest sound reached his ear
I wonder whether he hasn't had an
attack of the JIM ams?' muttere1 the
farmer, still specializing upon the oc
currence. He has fanced that there
was legion of devils after him, and 50
he busted. Still it may be something
else, and I'm bound to find it out
H. hid not rem ovel any Of his cloth
in, except his hat, and his wife was
still asleep; 80 he passed down stars
so quietly that she did not wa lie, and
made his way to the kitchen, where his
gun WAS supported lpon a couple OF
deer's antlers over the fireplace.
In his earlier days. Williams had
be IN noted as a hunter, and as the
weapon WAS a double barrel.d one, he
felt slf- ag inst any ordinary danger
as he hlug it over his shoulder and
started across the roAl in the direction
of the barn.
If the fellow got unier the horses
feet, he reflected, moving carefully
along, it was strange that he should
have jumped out Of the second story
window. He might have been so scared
that when he got free he ran up into
the NOV; but he must have known that
the horses couldn't follow him there,
and should think he would have stopped
when he got that far. At any rate, he
couldn't have been hurt very bad, for
he ran about as fast as an ordinary man
could run.
BY the time the farmer reached tn e
door he began to feel uncomfortable,
f,r the act Of approaching an unknown
peril in the dark is not the most pleas