The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-05-10

more nearly corporation. we can't
go away from here without knowing
what's become of Jack"
Still followed by the trembling boys,
Hal had noiselessly made his way into
the porch and was listening at the
door, when loud bang broke open the
stiffness. A door inside was flung
open, admitting stream of light into
a room the windows of which opened
upon the porch. Through it dashed
Jack in hot haste, shrieking at the top
of his voice:
''Thieves! Robbers! Here, boysl
Help. quick"
All the courage of the waiting boys
revived at sound of such unghostly
cries. They waited no longer, but with
loud shouts made their way in.
Here! here!" called Jack. Follow
ing him into the room which he had en-
tered, they heard sounds of blows upon
door.
He's in that closet-the ghost isl
cried Jack. Help me to move these
heavy things against him there" When
it was done he threw himselfinto a seat
laughing until he was almost helpless
80, boys, if | could only get nv
breath to tell YOU 1 slipped off my
boots on the porch-and crept in and
first caught sight-of my man standing
before bureau drawer-sideways %
me-and-he lit up another of thos
blue lights and just-at that minute
| spied bit of his whiskers peepins
through that white mask-O! Or -
Jack flung himself back in skfll nsfv
severe paroxysm of laughter, resuming
his story as soon as he was able.
81 watched and watched and wondered
what I'd better do, for he wss rather too
big for fellow like me to 3ackle.r
"Why didn't you call US soper?"
asked Hal.
Wouldn't "a done anygood, you see.
lie might "a made off out of aly of
these windows. Well, watched, and
after he had mussed ovr the drawers
for awhile and got hold)f some breast
pins and things he seemed to think
he'd like to take lok at Mrs. Hor-
toms silver spoons, for le went into that
pantry and heard 'em jingling. And
then says |: 'Now's my time And L
had that door locked on him quicker n
wink. Hear him now
The imprisoned buraar, after having
tried kick and blows OF the door with
out avail, resorted to eltreaties to be let
out, declaring ,he hal as yet gotten
nothing and would at once go peaceably
away.
"That wouldn't do ct ALL" said Jack.
81 don't 'spose Squire Horton ever had
a ghost visiting in hishouse before and
he'll want to get bette acquainted with
you"
what a pity such smart trick should
go for nothing-all for Iou, jack" said
Hal.
But Jack was soon do1e testing as the
boys realized the gravit, of the situa-
ton and consulted together as to what
should be done. 1t was soon agre ed that
two of their number should hasten into
the village to obtain help in securing
the burglar while the rest of the party
stayed to keep watch over him.
lie was promptly lodged in Jail until
Squire Horizons return. When that
gentleman came to the inquiry as to
who had saved the valuableS in his
house, the party of boys generously
gave Jack the full credit for his bravar3.
But he insisted that without their help
the robber could not have been secured
until further assistance came, and the
Squire's liberal reward did not stop at
Jack.
A week or two later the boys again
passed Squire Horizons house in the
evening.
That's good, warm, honest light
shining from those windows tonight"
said Archie, who had recovered from his
slight injury.
Not bit like that sickly blue light"
said another boy, as they drew near the
pond.
NO" said Jack, II shan't be a cow
ard tonight"
"Coward!' said Hal, don't ever talk
to me about towards again. l tell you,
Jack, you might have led me up to
lannon's mouth that night and WE'LL
perhaps l should have shown myself a
hero, but as for going into that house
as you did, all alone, horses couldn't a
drawn me-"
Nor me-" "Nor me, Nor me-" came
in hearty agreement.
80! you're all great gooses," said
Jack, laughing. 'lf had known just
what it was in there, perhaps I'd have
held back about going in. That fellow
might have given me a rap over the
head that would have settled me, bit
what harm could a thin-air ghost do?'-
Sydney Dayre, in Chicago Standard.