Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-04-29
PLAYING GHOST.
A Practical Joke and It's Serious
Consequences.

Little Onarile blru wa Iclt oH oI Piidl
in the village of Silva at very tender
age Plying the poor boys homeless
friendless condition, bluff, childless Mr..
Hall took him home and cared for him
in his kind. though somewhat rough,
way, until he had reached his fifteenth
year.
Unlike most Of the Silva boys, Charlie
was gentle, timid and trusting, and
implicitly believed almost everything
he was told. Naturally superstitious,
his sensitive nature was often imposed
upon By thoughtless people, who de
lighted to tell him blood-curdiing ghost
stories until he trembled to be left by
himself, even in the daytime. As for
going out alone in the evening, to him
it was like facing certain and horrible
death.
Rough Mr.. Hail, although kind TO
Charlie in his way, had no patience
with such foolishness, as he called 1t.
So it sometimes happened that he sent
him to the neighbors' on errands after
night had fallen, little thinking of the
tsrrors that the timid child conjured up
on these evening missions.
Bright and early one morning Mr..
Hall, being in want of household sup
plies and thinking he could purchase to
better advantage somewhere besides at
the little corner grocery, harnessed his
horse and set out for hillside, large
town some twenty miles away He ar
rived there safely, bought the needed
articles, and then set out on his return.
But the way was long, the load heavy
and the horse slow; and it was quite
dark before he got through the Seven
Mile woods which lay between the
two villages When nearly through
| them, a sudden snap and lurching OF
the wagon told him that spring had
broken; and quite number OF pack
ages were thrown off into the ditch by
the side Of the road.
Mr.. Hall alighted, and after hunting
for some time succeeded in finding a
stout stake; this he laid across the AK
les under the wagon-body To support it.
Then he loaded up the scattered bundles
again and once more set out for home,
where he arrived in due season without
further mishap.
After caring for his horse and eating
his supper, Mr.. Hale proceeded to bring
in his purchases, with Charles assist
ance A large bundle Of calico was
found to be missing
IL must have. lost 1t where I broke
down." said Mr.. Hall. go look after
il, Charlie. am too tired and 1t may
not be there in the morning. think
you will find it in the ditch by the big
rock in the edge Of the woods"
Charlie began to make some excuse,
but Mr.. Hall interrupted him somewhat
impatiently:
$50 along at once. 1t Is time this
foolishness and fright were done with.
The moon is up and shining brightly
now, SO you can easily find 1t. OF
with your
Thus commanded, Charlie set of on
his mission, but the timid lads heart
was beating like a triphammer. He
had not got out of the village when he
heard voice behind calling him:
Hello, Charliei Where are you going
this fine EVENING""
Looking around he saw Ches Flint,
boy about his own age and one who
had always taken great delight in
frightening him, coming along the
street short distance away:
up to the big rock in the woods
after bundle which Mr. Hall lost" re-
piled Charlie, as he stopped and waited
for him to come up. go with me,
won't your"
"Ill go part way, but / don't dare
pass the old graveyard on the cliff"
L. tc ND n1
ing mysteriously around him.
"The cliff was steep, rugged preci-
pice that overhung the sea ut high wa
ter and narrow strip of bowlder-
strewn beach when the tide was low.
The hillside road ran along at dis
tance from its edge. and the old grave
yard was just opposite. The seven
mile woods began a quarter OF mile
further on.
"Why not?" asked Charlie, quickly.
"Ohl there was a murdered man
buried there a good many years ago,
and he can't rest easy in his grave be-
cause his murderer was never pun
ished. He often comes out nights,
dressed in long, white shroud, and
stands by the side Of the road and
groans. Lots of people have seen him,
but they don't like TO tell Of it for fear
OF being laughed at. wouldn't go by
that graveyard at night for all the
money in Silva"
Charlie was almost overcome by ter
ror at this ghostly tale, but, coax as he
would. Ches could not be persuaded to
20 the whole distance with him. At
last he agreed to go nearly to the old
cemetery and wait there until Charlie
got safely by it.
They soon came In sight of the white
and ghostly tombstoDes, and then he
stopped and would go no farther.
Charlie begged and prayed him to 60
on, for he dared not return to Mr.. Hall
without the bundle, but Ches was inn
movable.
Finally, mastering all his courage,
Charlie dartcd off toward the haunted
spot. Fear lent wings TO his feet and
he soon passed the graveyard In safety
and disappeared around bend In the
road.
As soon as he was out OF sight, Ches
turned and ran for home as fast as his
feet would carry him. Knowing his
parents would not approve OF the
scheme he had formed. he crspt softly
around the house into the backyard
where the weeks washing still hung.
Hastily snatching u .heet from the line
hc again darted off toward the cliff.
Arrived there. he quickly wrapped
himself up from head to foot. Then he
crouched down behind oncof the neur-
est tom mbstones and waited.
Soon he heard the sound of quick foot
steps approaching. and saw Charlie
coming on the run. When he got just
abreast Of the graveyard, tall, white,
shrouded form suddenly appeared be-
fore him Two long. phantom-like
arms were stretched )ut as IL to seize
hun, and deep, hollow groan re-
sounded on the night air.
For an instant Charlie stood rooted 70
the spot with horror. Then. finging
down his bundle, he leaped the fence
and was off toward the sea like the
wind, too terrified TO have thc.1east idea
OF where he was going.
Ches became frightened % his turn,
and hastily called out for him TO come
back, as II was only joke; but tho boy
never heard him and kept ON In his un-
reasoning, hcadlong flight Still cling
Ing unconsciously TO the sheet, Chcs
started In swift pursuit. but, goaded on
by his terror, Charlie kept his distance.
For heavens sake stop, or you'll be
over the cliff" screamed Chcs. Charlie