The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-03-19
SANS STRATEGY.

eyed New England damseL Fred
Jones had loved her ever since they
were children together. and Captain
Logan. who had come down to spend
few weeks with his cousins, the
Kendricks had become 30 fond OF those
bright blue eyes and golden hair that
he prolonged his visit
''Pon my word. she's regular
beauty" said the captain. staring
through the tiny window panes at the
retroating figure OF Miss Brown.
Fred Jones looked quickly up at
him. as IL he would have liked to
knock him over In the fireplace. but
he refrained from any such demonstra-
tion.
"A beauty" went on the captain,
land it's II thousand pities she should
be wasted on any OF the country
pumpkins who vegetate among these
wildernesses. Sam. you young villain
are those boots OF mine blacked yetp"
Farmer Hendricks hired boy. who
had just come In to warm bis purple
hands at the merry red blaze. looked
glum.
mo. they amt said Sam. GROSSLY.
"Well. what's the reasonp"
..'Cause l amt 'ad time"
See you find time, then, and that
quick, too" said the captain. And
Sam glowered after him as he went
gaily up the stairs.
Just wish l had the firm of him
out,p said the boy. gloomily. '.Its
Sam. do this and Sam. do that and
Sam. where's the warm waterp and
Sam. what the deuce do you mean by
lettin' my fire go outr and not a red
cent has he guy me yet-no. nor SO
much as pleasant word. l wonder
II he means to stay here always"
The next night came-a perfect
night tor sleighing expeditions and
rustic love-making. the roads hard
and well packed and glorious moon
shining down Whitley, as II rain OF
silver were deluging the whole world.
Couldn't be better weather. I" said
the captain. Sam. where are the
sleigh -bellsp"
Dunno said Sam. There's them
old jinglers in the garnet that used to
belong to Deacon Joe Kendrick that
was in the Revolutionary war; and
there's the two cow-bells that Mary
Jane might scour up with ashes"
',Pshaw!" said the Captain. do
you take me for Rip Van Winklep
There's pretty little string some
where for l saw them when Mrs.
Kendrick went out day before yester-
day."
Il hain't seen nothin' on 'em. =" said
Sam, stolidly.
Come. come. Sam. don't make
yourself out any stupider than you be
by nature" said the farmer. laughing
nevertheless, for the captains airs
were fast wearing out his welcome.
and he secretly sympathized with the
much abused Sam.
Il guess they're out in the barn
chamber. You better 20 with him.
captain. II you expect to find EN-
our Sans dreadful thick headed when
he chooses to be-"
Come along. my fine fellow" said
the captain, collaring Sam. and march
ing him of in the direction OF the old
red barn. I'VE don't need any Ian
tern in this moonlight that is, one
comfort"
Where are the stairsP" demanded
the captain as they entered the barn.
Amt none" said Sam. tits lad
der"
up with you, then" said Logan,
but Sam shrunk back.
II wouldn't not for $780," said Sam.
odd John Kendrick hanged himself
from the middle beam fourteen years
ago and folks say he stands up there
with rope round his neck every
moonlight night"
Stuff and nonsense!" cried the
captain In accents Of contempt You
cowardly lout stay where you are,
then. and I'll go myself"
He sprang lightly up the rounds Of
the ladder and disappeared through
the trap door.
Where is itp'' he called.
The ghostp Right under the mid
die beam by the windy was the place
where"
"Blockhead! mean the string Of
bells"
Look for 'em yourself" said Sam.
6ulklly. II uOn kuOW WnoTo tn6y
be, and what's more, l don't care"
"Tll settle with you, my fine fellow,
when come down." said the captain.
Overwhelmingly. as he CROPPED about in
the dim light which came through a
cobweb-draped window at either end
OF the barn chamber.
Don't hurry yourself cap'n," re-
Joined Sam. in a jeering tone.
AS the captain plunged into dark
corner there was jingle and the
string OF bells suspended from a nail,
hit him directly on the neck, SO like
the grasp OF death-cold fingers that he
could not but start
"Ohi" said the captain nervously,
Here they are. Catcn 'em Sam!
Hallol Where's the trap doorP"
And 1t took the worthy captain
fully sixty seconds or more to realize
that the trap door was closed and
fastened on the lower side. He
rushed to the window and threw 1t up
only to see Sam speeding up the hill.
"Hal-lo-o-al' yelled Capt Logan.
Come back, you scoundrel!--you IL
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