The Dickinson press., 1895-02-09

"Was it? am sure had forgotten
it,"
Fred was silent. Captain Logan's
. smooth, soft-toned voice broke the ST.
lence.
II exact no promises" he said gal
lantly, "but if an. not punctual to the
hour and the spot Miss Brown may
draw her own conclusions"
And Carrie went home.
She was very pretty, the bright-eyed
New England damsel. Fred Jones mad
loved her ever since they were children
together, and Captain Logan, who had
come down to spend the holidays with
his cousins. the Hendricks. had become
so fond of those bright blue eyes and
golden hair that he had prolonged his
visit into January.
"'Pon my word she's a regular beau
ty," said the captain, staring through
the tiny window panes at the retreat
ing figure Of Miss Brown.
Fred Jones looked quickly up at him
as If he would have liked to knock
him over into the fireplace, but he re-
Trained from any such demonstration.
"A beauty" went on the captain,
''and it's Il thousand pities she should
be wasted on any Of the country bump
kins who vesetate among these Wild
crnesses. Sam. you Young villain. are
those boots of mine BACKED yety
mo they amt" said Sam Grossly.
"Well, what's the reasOn?'
Cause amt hda time"
"See You find time then. quickly,
too," said the captain. And Sam
glowered after him him as he went
gayly up the stairs.
"Just wish had the firm of him
out" said the boy gloomily. Its Sam
do this, and Sam do that and Sam,
where's the warm water? and Sam,
what the deuce do you mean by letting
my fire go out?' and not a cent has
he guv me yet-no. nor so much as q
pleasant word. l wonder If lie means
to stay here always?"
"You and I are about equal in our
love for him, SAM" said Fred Jones,
laughing.
II heered him talkin' with Miss Car
night said Sam, shrewedly. 'I'd jes'
like to put Kicking Tom in the shafts.
I would If 1t weren't for Miss Carrie.
He don't know nothin' about horses.
that there MALTA cap'n DON'T" And
Sam chuckled.
II say. Mr.. Jones, why don't you get
beforehand with him? Miss Carrie
don't really care for him, she's only
dazzled like"
Fred Jones frowned slightly; honest
Sam was not exactly the kind Of
Ganymede he cared to have meddle
with his love affairs.
"Miss Brown must chose for her.
so1f S0n1 ~ ho q III n Co noo o1y
to his work, secretly wondering how
a young lady gifted with ordinary
sense, could hesitate for moment be-
tween the captain and Fred Jones.
The night came, Il perfect night for
slcighing expeditions and rustic love-
making, the roads hard and we'll pack
ed, and glorious moon shining down
whitley as If a rain of silver were de.
luging the whole world
Couldn't be better weather." said
the captain. "Sam, where are the
slefghbells:"
"Du~no." id Sam. ''rhere's them
old jinglers / the garret that used to
belong to Deacon John Kendrick, that
was il. the Revolutionary war, and
there is the two cowbells that Mary
Jane might scour up with ashes--'
"pshaw!" said the captain. "Do you
take me for Rip Van Wrinkle? There's
q pretty little string somewhere, for l
saw them when Mrs. Kendrick went
out day before yesterday"
Il hain't seen nothin' on 'em," said
SAINT stolidly.
Come, come, Sam, don't make your
self 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 synpathized with the
much abused Sam.
II guess they're out in. the barn
You had better go with him, captain
If you expect to find 'em; our Sam
is dreadful thick headed when he
chooses to be-"
"Come along, my fine fellow" said
the captain. collaring Sam and march
ing him off in the direction of the old
red barn. "We don't need any lantern
in this moonlight, that's one comfort
"Where are the stairs?" demanded
the captain, as they entered the barn
''Ain'I none," said Sam. Its a lad.
der"
up with you, then," said Logan
but Sam shrunk back.
II wouldn't. not for $50" said Sam
"Old John Kendrick hanged himself
from the middle beam fourteen years
lgn. and folks say he stands I'D there
with rope around his neck ever,
moonlight night"
STUFF and nonsensew cried the CAP
tain in accents of contempt. "Yol
cowardly lout, stay where you are
then, and II go myself"
He sprang lightly up the rounds Q
the ladder and disappeared througl
the trap-door.
Where is it?" he called.
1.-The ghost? Right under the middl
beam by the windy was the plac
where"
"Blockhead! mean the string o
. bells"
Look for 'em yourself" said Sam
. sulkily. Il don't know where they be
I ant what's more. don't care"
!. I'll settle With you, my fine fellow
: when l come down." said the captain
ohreateningly, as he groped about II
the dim light, which came through
cobweb-draped window at either en-,
Of the barn chamber.
: Don't hurry yourself, cap'n," rejoir
ed Sam, in jeering tone.
AS the captain plunged into q dar
corner where there was Jingle, and
: string of bells, suspended from q mai
. hit him directly on the neck, SO lik
the grasp Of death-cold fingers that b
could but start.
"Oh" said the captain nervousl,
Here they are. Catch 'em, San
Hello! Where's the trap door?"
And it took the worthy captain full