Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1891-02-12

gloom of dense woods, giving just that
touch of life needed TO break the solem-
nifty of forest and mountain,
The moon was up, nature awoke,
breeze swept by bearing the music of u
tumbling brook, the melody of murmur-
ing pines, the love notes of belated
bird singing to his mate.
How long | had slept | can not tell,
when suddenly was wide.awake with
the room brilliantly lit and presenting
an appearance totally different to what
it had done when | retired. On side
board were half-emptied bottles and de-
canters, and at table four men were
seated deeply engrossed over game at
cards. Great as was my establishment
to find my apartment thus invaded,
seemed to lose all personal considera-
tons in watching the fevcrish anxiety
of the players, and in wondering what
would happen next
Suddenly their voices were raised in
anger, one of the players accused an
other of cheating, and in a moment
there was general uproar. The two
men were struggling desperately to-
gethcr, glasses were upset chairs were
overturned and then caught the glitter
of knife and. the CLEAN of pistol
The two spectators made no attempt to
separate the combatants, although it
was evident that tragedy was immi-
nent. The taller of the two freed his
hand from the others grasp, the long
murderous looking knife was uplifted,
but as it descended the other raised his
pistol and fired; there was the dull thud
of heavy body falling and then, over
como with horror, | lost consciousness.
How | attracted their attention | do
not know, but suddenly became aware
| that the remaining three were standing
over me calmly discussing my proposed
death; my blood seemed to freeze in
my veins and into those terrible mo-
ments was compressed the agony of
years of torture.
"She is sound asleep" said one, "an'
anyhow | never did take kindly to
| KILN women"
"She has seen the deed DONE" said
the second significantly,
THAT dead men tell no tales is just
as true and truer of women" said the
third, $50 l had better make it safe"
laying as he spoke a murdcrous hand
on my throat.
With a desperate effort | broke
through the spell of horror that had
held me; / struck out wildly and en-
countered a soft resisting body, the
lights were extinguished as opened my
eyes, and nothing remained but the
sound as of some one hurriedly re-
treating.
/ never knew till that moment what
small woman possesses; mine was
sufficient in an incredibly short time to
bring to my room the doctor, the
satellite, Jane Sabina and half a
dozen guests, none of whom were re-
markable for the careful finish of their
dress.
With graphic power that has en-.
tirely deserted me, or / should make
my fortune as story writer, | related
what had occurred.
ut does not matter whether ! was
asleep or awake in regard to what
sac, although of course | was awake
but know l heard something hurry
away, and know that felt something
when ! struck" | said in conclusion
pausing only through sheer physical in
ability to utter another word.
Sabina Jane incoherently remarked
something to the effect that it was
"iust what she'd expected of then
nasty ghostesses" and then in company
with the majority of my visitors dis
appeared. The doctor looked puzzled
and remained silent, the satellite how
ever spoke; he was never voluble per
son, but on this occasion he confined
himself to one word.
"Rats!"
"Do you really think it-they-wa'
rats?' ! gasped, growing ungrammati
cal in my confusion.
Had not felt well assured that tbs
doctor was deeply impressed by my
ghostly visitation | should have sale
that he smiled, but that of course wa
impossible at such a moment. Some
people have noticed are afflicted will
muscular twitching and when glanced
at him again he was as solemn as ;
sphinx; even the satellite put his hant
before his mouth ard coughed in
modest, self-deprecatory way, as if hi
| fna1inpc yxat,a foo t,ouoh fO,. him
81 will bring Mrs Morris to remain
with you until you dress" said tn
doctor, "and then you had better talk
. a sedative and share her room; to-mor
row will have thorough investiga
ton made and if find that any one i
trying to perpetuate stupid story b.
playing q still more stupid practica
joke, I'll"
At this point the DOCTORS voice sam
and although his remarks appeared t
gain additional energy, am under tn
impression they were not intended TO
my ears or for publication.
The result of the investigation shove
that my nocturnal visitors were rats,
small colony of which had evidently er
joyed undisputed possession of sprin
mattress for considerable period. An
so the ghost of Bracing Hall was laiG
but the oldest part was the satellite
guessing it; for such q man it was quit
remarkable, and showed great natura
perspicacity; the moment he heard m
story, when every one else was quite a
sea, he looked at the doctor and sale
"Rats. MARY Hasbrouck, in Drake
Magazine.
2 Weight of the Earth.
= As matter of fact, the earth has n
, weight. Weight is the pull of gravit
toward center and when speaking c
the weight of the earth we must COZ