Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1894-01-04
The child protested again az

- "" uare 10 tell ma
said tho woman, lifting her va. ny
scream, that you don't know
has become o. the pocket.boots
was safe last night; there's boaa
human being in these rooms hui
and /. I'm going to shut You m y
GO away" r ~
Georgey wept on convulsiyeiv N =
woman dragged him out OF he'd -
him into a closet and shut Tho !
upon him. There he ~re,na;nad y"
hi ht, crying bitterly, with sbo,,
terra!s when he was too much W.
ed to make any sound. The won'
slept as little as he; she sat nm 4
whole night, keeping as still as possa
however, for she wished Georvss
believe he WAS deserted and III.
Pity was the last sentiment sha Y
likely to feel for him. She said RI
self that when he had been minis
enough, he would confess. She wond1M IS
ed whether he had spent any Of n
money-perhaps he would shas &
with other boys; she would eire wa,
ing ut the fruit shops early the N
day.
In the morning, as Georgey was i
obstinate, he was neither allowed Il
leave his chamber nor have !
breakfast. His stepmother tied
by his hands to the knob OF the co1
door, and assured him he wouii +
kept there, and starved to death. T.
less he confessed what he had dol
with the pocket-boUk. Her loss
made public; but the excitement
would naturally have created
~measurably counteracted by anofhI
yet more eXciting-particularly as ld
Manson had likewise made knownA
conviction that her stepson was
thief, so that her neighbors saw nod
ing they could do to assist her.
The more exciting story of the ID
and very ridiculous it was, as evq1
body said, and then went on repsl
ing twas that a couple of YOU
men, coming into the village late 4
night but one before, when cross
the river bridge, had seen q ehOI
Ghost stories have been popular IN
ages, and among all nations.
ghost was first discovered gidl
down the path towards theriver, al
point n short distance below
bridge, where the village boys were o
the habit of goingin to swim. 1t VI
long, white garments in the approd
style OF ghostiness-it slowly dis
peared among the trees on the ba
OF the river.
Thus poor Mrs. Manson had
grief and Indignation pretty much
herself. Three days and nights pasJ
and Georgey had eaten nothing exr
a little bread, and had lain only
the bare floor. Finding that den
only brought him punishment,
ceased to say anything; then he
called sullen. and beatenfor s~ullenn
as he had been for lying. At last,
cheeks flushed with fever, and he
delirious. Then he was put i'll
where he lay, moaning and helpi
through several days and nights,
finally, the pitiless woman comics
to herself there was cause Tor ALA
She went TO a doctor, and obta1
a sedative for Georsey, which she
mlnistered, and seeing that he fell
leep almost Immediately, shut
door between the two chambers,
went to bed to enjoy the first so
rest since the excitement she had
~perienced,
That night, Georgey Manson'sfai
was returning home. Hehad rece
q despatch from his wife the day
the money was lost, and had trI
led over athousand miles to his III
reaching the last station very lat
the evening, whence he had proceH
on foot.
OF course, this gentleman had b
nothing of theghost which had io1
the staple gossip OF the neighbour
a few days before; yet almost in
exact spot where the others had
it, the ghost appeared to him.
like the original gnost-seers, who
run away as fast as their legs q
carry them, Mr.. Manson crept OF
end OF the bridge, and made his
silently to the path by which
woman IN white was approaaA
Nearer it came, and he saw-with
surprise than most men might
the ghost was his own wife, walki 3
her sleep! Once before, he had kn
her to do the same thing, and
had told him it was a habit d
childhood.
She passed without seeing hin
followed. to watch and prevent
doing herself an injury. The wd |,
went straight to a hollow tree, n
ed in and took ont tho identical !
etbook, the cause of so much v !,
and misery. Her husband foOd 4,
ner back to the house, woke her r
at ones related what he had seen
The remorse of the wretched wo IA
when ghe knew that Georgey va p
innocent a. he had declared hni
need not be described. Let usd
a veil over the fathers feelings
looked upon his hapless boy. D.
tender nursing the child recos y
but the mother had learned ac )
the effect of which on her char \
will never he effac.d. She has
been a mother, indeed to her
stepson, not quite a martyr. q