Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-07-16

and I'll go myself.
He sprang lightly up the rounds of the
ladder and disappeared through the
trapdoor.
Where Is it 2" he C;,G.r
"The ghost? Right under thu IA j lie
team by the windy was the pace
" where"
"Blockhead / mean the string c:
bells.
Look for 'em yourself" said Sam
sulkily. Idon't know where they be.
and, what's more, don't care. "
"Tll settle with you, my fine fellow,
when come down." said the captain
threateningly, as he groped about in the
dim light which came through a cob
web draped window at either end of the
Darn chamber.
Don't hurry yourself, cap'n. "rejoined
Sam, in jeering tone.
AS the captain plunged into dark cor
ner there was jingle and the string of
bells. suspended from nail, hit him
IN the neck, 80 like the grasp Of death
,old fingers that he could not but start.
"Oh!" said the captain nervously.
Here they are. Catch 'em, Sam!
Hal-lo! where's the trapdoor?"
And it took the worthy captain fully
50 seconds or more to realize that the
srapdoor was closed and fastened on the
, ,wer side. He rushed to the window
; nd threw it up, only to see Sam speeding
up the Hill
Hal-lo-o-a!" yelled Captain Logan
Come back, you scoundrel! you i'll con
iitioned lout! you imp of evil!"
Sam turned around and executed tia,
peculiar gyration of the fingers in con
necton with the nasal organ which s
supposed to execute the extremity Of
scorn.
You'll find the ladder on the barn
loor, cap'n," hooted the young rebel,
AN don't be afraid O. the ghost; its
very harmless if you let it alone. "
But, Sam-Sam, come back! I'm to
be at Mr. Browns at 1901"
Don't worry" bawled Sam. Miss
Carrie won't wait long afore Mr.. Fred'lI
be on hand"
The captain danced up down on the
floor in an ecstacy of rage as Sam dis
appeared over the crest of the hill. He
knew very well if he possessed the lungs
Of Boreas he could make no one hear
He sat shivering down on the hay,
starting nervously at the sound of horses
feet below, and thinking how disagree
ably bar of moonlight, which streamed
down from crack in the roof. resen-
hled tall. white figure standing under
the center beam. He could almost fancy
the rope round its neck Pshaw! And
the captain jumped up again, with start
ing dew on his temples, even in the freez-
ing atmosphere of the barn chamber.
What was to be done2 he asked him
self An echo,if echo had any common
sense, would have answered: Just moth
ing at ALL"
Sam had outwitted him. And pretty
Carrie, and Fred Jones, with his red cut
ter and great chestnut.colored horse. The
captain was wild at the thought; surely
he was vanquished.
II won't wait another minute for him, {"
said Carrie Brown, coloring up, with the
tears in her blue eyes. go on, girls. 1
shall spend the evening at home"
There's plenty of room for you in our
sleigh, Carrie" coaxed her brother
"Bessie Brown will be glad to have you
along.
"No, she won't, either" pouted Carrie
"As if would spoil all her fun! No; if
can't have an escort of my own I'll stay
at home and mend stockings; and 1
never, never will speak to Captain Logan
again"
Charlie Brown was on the point of ar
guing the matter with his sister when the
door opened and in walked Fred Jones.
"Not gone yet, Carrie? Where is the
captain?"
II don't know" said Carrie tartly.
land don't care. Am Captain Logan's
keeper?"
"Will you 60 with me?"
ayes, will," said Carrie, her eyes
lighting and shy smiles dimpling her lips
"Of course, said Fred, II can't expect
to make myself as agreeable as the city
captain, but"
"The captain, the captain" cried
Carrie, little irritably, "I'm sick of the
sound of his name. never want to see
him again. What nice new cutter
this is, and how easy the wolf robes are.
Carrie" whispered Fred, as he
touched up the horse and felt her nest
ling close to him, "is it for always?"
"Yes, always, she answered.
Jerusalem !" said Farmer Kendrick.
1t was past 10 o'clock at night, and the
old gentleman had come out, as usual.
before retiring to rest to see that the
dumb members of his family were all
safe and comfortable. II do believe
that's old John Hendricks ghost come to
life again, poundin' like all possessed Oh
the barn chamber floor!"
ats NEE! It's NEE !" bawled thq
captain. Unfasten the trapdoor and let
me out !"
Slowly the farmer lifted the ladder to
its place. With rheumatic awkwardness
he climbed the creaking rounds and un-
did the hook from its hasp.
How in all creation came you here ~
he demanded. "Why. I thought you
was out sleighridin' with the gals !"
1T was all the doing of that villain.
Sam!" gasped the infuriated captain,
his teeth chattering with mingled rage
aud cold. IL won't stand this sort of
thing. I'll leave the place tomorrow.
AS you please said the farmer, to
whom the prospect of losing his guest
WAS not unpleasant. "Tm dreadful sorry
this should have happened, though, and
I'll talk seriously to Sam.
so will |, "gnashed the captain. I'll
break every bone in his body
Bat Sam had taken part 'rular care +,
go nyer to his grandm"ther's, six mill,