The Forrest City times., 1892-03-04
SAM'S 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 SO 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 paues at the retreating figure of Miss Brown Fred Jones looked quickly up at him. as fl 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.
 and it's 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 his purple hands at the merry red blaze, looked glum.
 No they ain't said Sam. grossly. Well, whats the reasonr' "'Cause 1 ain't '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 had the firin' of him out" said the boy gloomily. "lt's Sam do this, and Sam. do that and Sam. where's the warm water? and Sam. what the deuce do you mean by lettin' my fire go outr and not red cent has he guv me yet-no nor so much as pleasant word. wonder if he means to stay here always" The next night came-a perfect night tor sleighing expeditions and rustic love-making. the roads hard and we'll packed and glorious moon shining down whitely. as if rain of silver were deluging the whole world Couldn't be better weather said the captain. sam. where are the sleigh -bells?"
 Dunno said Sam. There's them old jinglers in the garret 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 SCOUT up with ashes" .Pshaw" said the Captain. Do you take me for Rip Van Winkle?
 There's pretty little string some
 where for l saw them when Mrs
 Kendrick went out day before yester- day"
 T hain't seen nothin' on lem. said Sam stolidly.
 Come come Sam, don't make yourself out any stupider than you be by nature sad 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 go with him. captain if you expect to find 'em- our Sam's 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. We don't need any lam
 tern in this moonlight that is one comfort
 Where are the stairsr demanded the captain as they entered the barn.
 ..Ain't none" said Sam. fits lad der"
 Up with you, then 2" said Logan, but Sam shrunk back.
 Il wouldn't not for $50" said Sam
 'Old John Kendrick hanged himself from the middle beam fourteen years ago. and folks say he stands up there
 with a 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 it?" he called.
 The ghost? Right under the mid de beam by the windy, was the place
 where"
 ..Blockhead! I mean the string of
 bella"
 Look for 'em yourself, said Sam.
 sulkily. Il don't know where they
 be, and what's more. don't care"
 ..rll settle with you, my fine fellow. when 1 come down." said the captain. threateningly. as he groped 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 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
 .Oh" said the captain nervously Here they are. Catch 'em Sam! Hallo! Where's the trap door?" And it 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 it up only to see Sam speeding up the hill. .Hal-lo-o-ai" yelled Capt Logan. Come back, you scoundrel!-you H. conditioned louti-you imp of evil? Sam turned around and executed that peculiar gyration of the fingers in connection with the nasal organ. which is supposed to express the ex. tremity of scorn-