Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1894-05-24

NAMED. For some time I had heard
nothing Of the ghost and was beginning
to think that Latimer had gotten over
his absurd fancy. when one morning
the school was startled by hearing that
the ghost had again appeared to Lati-
mer, and that six watches, four gold
rings and SO in cash had disappeared
from cadets rooms during the night.
Ordinarily, Latimer's statement that
he hasl seen the ghost would have X
cited much amused comment, but spec
ulations and inquiries about the rob
berry now engrossed the attention Of all.
l was on duty that night, and as I
made my inspections of the rooms at
half-past nine l was surprised to find
Latimer fast asleep in bed and tightly
clutching a huge squirt gun in his small
brown hands. The squirt gun was evil
IDENTITY full of water, for a few drops
chung about its nozzle. / gently en-
dcavored to eXtricate it from his grasp.
but the sleeping boy held it tightly, and
mOaned so uneasily that l desisted.
My inspection over. l went out of
doors for a little walk before retiring,
and crossing the river that flowed along
the border of the school domain,
strolled along the bank. 1t was a COM
~paratively dark night, still the white
buildings of the academy shone family
through the gloom, and in the absence
of anything else to look at, l turned my
gaze upon the familiar walls.
Suddenly a CLEAN of light shone out
for a homer against the sides of the
barracks halfway between the ground
and the second story, then disappeared
AUnin If flashed fnr, IN instant an1 this
time l discovered the dark figure Of a
man between me and the light. He was
climbing the south fire escape, which
led directly into Latimer's room in the
third story.
The ghost with its mysterious light,
and the rObberieS were explained. ,
l opened my mouth to shout, but
checked myself in time, for the robber,
as well as the school, would then be-
alarmed, and he would then effect his
escape.
l started for the bridge, then stopped,
for before l could reach the barracks by
that roundabout way the robber would
doubtless have accomplished his pur-
pose and retired.
/ determined to swim the river, icy
with November cold. The light shone
again, and this time it illuminated Lati-
mer's room, and showed the robber
with raised arm peering in the window
from the fire escape. OFF went my coat
and vest and / was rushing down the
bank when l heard a smothered cry,
saw the rObber tOpple backward, and
then lantern and man fell to the
ground together.
Before l reached the opposite bank I
heard the roll of drums and the alarm
of bugles, and when / arrived at the
building l found a crowd of half-dress-
ed cadets and teachers surrounding q
burly negro, who lay on the ground
grooming with a broken leg.
Little Latimer was examining the
robbers dark lantern with great in
terest. $50 this was the ghost light"
said he, with a queer look in his face.
Il don't deserve the free tuition,
though" he remarked later, when the
burglar had been disposed Of; Il just
thought I'd try to put that old ghost
light out, and when l squirted it sur
prised the ghost so that he lost his bal
ance and fell off. l didn't go to do it.
l don't deserve the reward"
But you shall have it, just the
same" said the principal, and so, de-
spite the hard times among the cattle
men Of "the Nation" little Latimer re-
NAMED at the school.