The Van Buren press., 1895-03-09
die beam by the windy was the place


where"
"Blockhead, I mean the string Of
BELLS"
"Look Tor 'em yourself" said Sam,
sulkily. ~ don't know where they be,
and what's more, don't care"
"1'll settle with you, my fine fellow,
when come down." said the captain,
threateningly, as he CROPPED about In the
dim light, which came through cob
web-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 q dark
corner there was q Jingle, and string
of bells, suspended from nail, hit him
directly on the neck, SO like the grasp
OF death-cold fingers that he could but
start.
"0h!" said the captain, nervously.
"Here they are. Catch 'em, Saml Hell.
lol Where's the trap door?"
And 1t took the worthy captain fully
sixty seconds more to realize that the
trap door was closed and fastened on
the lower side. He rushed to the win
dow and threw it up, only to see Sam
speeding up the hill.
"Hal-lo-oa!" yelled Capt. Logan.
"Come back, you scoundrel-you ill-con-
ditioned loutl-you imp OF evilP'
you'll find the ladder on the barn
floor, cap'n," hooted the young rebel,
IAN don't be afraid of the ghost; it,
very harmless If you let it alone."
'But Sam, Sam, come backl I'm tc
be at Mr.. Browns at 1880 o'clock"
Don't worry" bawled Sam. 'Miss
Carrie won't wait long before Mr..
Fred III be on hand"
The captain danced up and down on
the floor In an ecstasy of rage as Sam
disappeared over the crest OF the hill.
He knew very well If he possessed the
lungs of Boreas he could make no one
hear.
He sat shivering down on the hay,
starting nervously at the sound OF
horses feet below and thinking how
disagreeable bar Of moonlight which
streamed down crack in the roof re-
sembled tall white figure standing
under the center beam. lie could al
most fancy the rope around his neck.
Pshaw! And the captain jumped up
again, with starting dew on his tenn
pies, even in the freezing atmosphere
Of the barn chamber.
"What is to be done?" ho asked him
self. An echo, If echo has any common
sense, would have answered:
Just nothing at all!"
Sam had outwitted him. And pretty
Carrie and Fred Jones, with his red
cutter and great chestnut horsel The
captain was wild at the thought; sure
ly he was vanquished.
II won't wait another moment for
him." said Carrie Brown, coloring up,
with tears in her blue eyes. "Go on,
girls, shall spend the evening at
home." .
There's plenty OF room for you in
our sleigh, Carrie" coaxed her brother.
BESSIE Andrews will be glad to have
you 60 along"
mo, she won't either" pouted Car
rie. "As If would spoil all her fun
No; II can't have an escort of my own
I'll stay at home and mend stockings,
and never will speak to Capt. Logan
again"
Charlie Brown was on the point Of
arguing the matter with his sister
when the door opened and In walked
Fred Jones.
"Not gone yet. Carrier Where is the
captain?"
II don't know" said Carrie, tartly,
land don't care. Am Capt. Logan's
keeper2"
"Will you go with me?" FE
"Yes, will," said Carrie, her eyet
lighting and shy smiles dimpling her
face.
"Of course" said Fred, II can't ex
pect to make myself as agreeable as
the city captain, but"
"The captainl The captainl" cried
Carrie, little irritably. "Tm sick oi
the sound Of his name. never want
to see him again. What nice new
cutter this is, and how easy the vol
robes arel"
'Carrie," whispered Fred, as he
touched up the horse and felt her nest
ling close to him, ''is it for always?'
Eyes, always" she answered.
"Jerusaleml'' said Farmer Kendrick.
It was past ten o'clock at night, and
the old gentleman had come out as
usual before retiring to rest to see that
the dumb members of his family were
all straight and comfortable. II dc
believe that's old John Hendricks
ghost come to life again, poundin' like
all possessed on the barn chamber
foorl"
Its m-eel It's m-eel" bawled the
captain. "Unfasten the trapdoor and
let me out!"
Slowly the farmer lifted the ladder
to Its place. With rheumatic awkward
ness he climbed the cyeaking rounds
and undid the hook from It's clasp.
"How In all creation came you
here?" he demanded. "Why, thought
you were out a-sleigh-riding with the
gals"
at was all the doing OF that villain
Sam," gasped the infuriated captain
his teeth chattering with mingled
rage and cold. II won't stand this
sort Of thing. I'll leave the place to
morrow"
"As you please" said the farmer, tt
whom the prospect Of losing his guest
was not unpleaSaut sI'm dreadful