Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-05-07


the mothers of these two benefactors
missed, unaccountably, sundry sheets, and
also it is added that dim light was seen
for several nights in the smithy after
working hours. 1t is not known what
was going on but no doubt existed. in the
minds of the best informed, that the agen-
cies were sufficiently mundane to under
stand the use of thread and needle.
The village druggist dropped remark
at this time 1t was regarded as a careless
remark; 1T seems to me that they use a
great quantity of phosphorus in the
chemistry class at the seminary. Victor
Page says that they are heavy on expert
1 ments this term"
Whether these causalities have any
thing to do with the effects of this brief
history II is not known but tits known
that on a cold, gray Friday afternoon in
November the very day lothian Stubbs
nominated to meet Philander IIurd. two
waywsrd travellers emerged from that
smthy, each carrying carefully wrapped
W
Victor Page on their way to Hurds barn
They crossed the bridge that connects
Bucksport and Verona. slowly, and then
F, ploddcd over the frozen road until they
came to the field in which the barn was sit
uated. They paused in clump of bushes
at the edge Of the field and were hidden
from the eyes of inquisitive observers. 1t
was already approaching the twilight.
They had to cross wide stretch of open
land at the risk of being seen, A short
consultation was held between the two a.
to the best method of approach to The
barn
Remember, Vic. said Fred, I'VE are
4 ethereal substances, why not go actos,
( without crawling or cringng; Old Stubbs
is so near sighted that he couldn't see the
I Great Eastern If she were sailing through
/ his dooryard. and As for Hiram, he will see
more hy-and-by than he viii now Let's
60 on"
An right, answered Victor but you
have forgotten the domestic queen"
Who" interrupted Fred, Mrs. Stubbs:
Bless you, she has to wear two pair of
specs 10 see lothian"
With tAi, abrupt and uncomplimentary
Dialogue the twain hauled themselves over
the fence and staked boldly across the
field for the barn They easily gained an
entrance. Now all ghosts have 10 mate
rialze 50 did Fred and Victor. This they
did by arranging themselves in their noe
turnal handiwork. They were faul,les> IN
their make up. The most internal habi-
tant Of Spookdom, would have viewed
them with thrill of pride and envy
Ghastly. ghostly. hdeous aud deathlikc,
they stood in their incorporcal toilet.
Tis now the very witching time of
night" quoted Victor as they climbed, each
with a pitchfork. up the ladder, on to the
NOW. They had agreed 10 take opposite
back corners. Here they burrowed into
the hay, sinking themsclvc, below the sur
face and covering themselves fully with
the disturbed hay. Fred, with suppressed
laughter called softly to Victor. w hat
DO you suppose Hiram viii think when be
sees you In your little corner and id
miner"
"Thiuk," said Victor. why he'll think
there sits on either side formidabic
~hape."
stop quoting Milton. Let's quote the
Bard Of Avon. muttered Fred.
"iil riyht" replied Victor .,lIIic, tho
brinded cat hath mew'd.
Thrice and once the hedge-pig whn'd,
responded Fred.
HARPER cries, lis time, tbs time,
shouted Victor.
Hush Hush" whispered Fred
by the prichins of my thumbs.
open. lo.k,
Whoever knocks"
Double, double, toll and trouble" said
Victor, soto voce, as they both sLuggled
under the hay.
Inc door opened softly and man stole
into the barn deftly as shadow 1t was
Hiram Stubbs. He gained the middle Of
the floor, where he shook out his sheeted
garb preparative to taking shape as
/ ghost. 1t took but few minutes to con
vert the attenuated anatomy of Hiram INTO
a frightful apparition With chuckle.
which was given a. an emphasis Of salts
faction, he contemplated his finished task
and mounted the ladder for the NOV. He
carefully felt his way to the middle of the
1 NOW, where he concealed himself in the
/ hay. Hiram was not a Shakespesrisn
| scholar. in fact. he was no kind of a schol.
ar He had no apt quotations stored away
1 for use. He was dullard. lust waiting
! to scare Pbjlauder Hurd. His mind was
mental dadd,-long-legs. A chuckle was
the sweetest tone Of his voice. A he
sonatted under the hav he tbopgbt ar ,ba
! FRIGHT in store for noor Hurd and Hiram
doubled up with chuckles and lanybter
Fred and Victor were interested auditors
of Hiram's sonata Of hilaritv Victor a.
he felt his cramped position and imna.
| tient to interrupt Hiram's good cheer
whispered softly to himself: II wonld
the friends we miss were safe arrived
| Presently was heard heavy tramnino
over the frozen ground and the voices of
two men in earnest conversation. They
were approaching the barn. light flick.
cred through the cracks; then followed