The Opelousas courier., 1895-04-20
HE WAS POLITE,
7us Flaw kins Met a Ghost That Wss Very
Anectinnate.

Gus Hawkins was q refOrmer.
Gus wanted to reform our methods Of
treating ghosts.
why, I don't see," I said to him one
day. don't see but we treat ghosts
properly enough"
'P'raps You'd like to be treated like
a ghost yourself? Wheri a MAN gets in
sight of We hev him take to his 1aigs
an run, hey? When a m sees We
hev her scream an faint away jest ez
if she had seen a mouse? Ev'ry human
bei1 'skeddadlin' the minute he comes
in sight OF We, an if he's to scat to
skeddadle plumpin' down ON his knees
and face an prayin' the Lord to deliver
him? How'd We like -"
We'll, Gus. it would Be rather hard"
Il wish 1 could see a ghost once, an
I'd show him that there is 4 little
politeness left in human natur', after
all. Nobody's cvcr been killed by a
ghost; nobcdv's cver been cheated by
a ghost; nobody's ever been insulted
by a ghost, an every ghost l eve
hecrd Of has behaved like a perfect
gentleman. Ed like to meet one I'd
show him that | could be as much of a
gentleman as he"
Well, last May Gus did meet one
after all. While he was passing
through the Spruce Hollow graveyard
he siw n ghost sitting with his legs
crossed on Squire Perkins tombstone.
'IIullo!' said Gus.
"HullOi' said the Ghost.
"kindcr damp an cold out here,
my house over the hill an get some
supper an a hot cup CIR tea, an then
we'll have a little talk together"
"Well, if you'd jest ez soon, we'll go
into this tomb here" said the Ghost.
Il shall be kinder bashful in a house, |
hain't been into one for SO long. I'm
more used to tombs." -
"All right, go ahead!' said Gus, and
they entered the tomb.
Let's sit down on this coffin to-
gethcr," said the Ghost, '::an' have q
nice little talk
"Jest what would suit me-" said
Gus.
''Sit up a little Closer" said the Ghost.
I'm cold
Glad to 'commodate ye,' said Gus.
as he nudged up as close as he could
get.
Let me put my arms round We an
see if can't git thoroughly warmed
up for once" sSid the Ghost, throwing
his arms around Gus as he spoke.
"Do you know" said the Ghost,
you're the only fellow that has cver
understood me since I've been dead. l
like you. You're a trump. But you'll
me jest a minute. Do you
know / feel that there is something
the matter with my body in the fifth
grave down there. You excuse me a
minute while l go and see. Sit right
where yol arc and I'll be back in a
jitfy an we'll have a nice talk togeth.
er."
Gus sat sun and the Ghost vanished.
He sat for five minutes; still the
did not return.
At the end of ten minutes he got up
and walked out in search of the Ghost.
He looked at the fifth grave but it
was undisturbed and the grass was
growing above it luxuriantly.
We'll, can't wait here all night"
said Gus. Lets see, what time is it?"
But Gus had no means of telling
what time it was-his watch wa gone.
He discovered that by feeling in his
Ieft-hand vest pocket. Also a roll of
bills was gone. He discovered this by
in his right-hand vest pocket.
well, l thought tibet ghost was aw-
frl a%ffcctionit when he put his arms
cum me-" said Gus. "IIullo! whut's
Just here Gus stopped down and lift
I'll up a sheet.
Guess the ghost has been undressin'
1tsself," said Gus.
When Bill Stives was carried to jail
,'wo months later for stealing a horse,
fuss watch was found on his person.
N. Y. World.