Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1895-02-20

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"Up with you then," said Logan, but
Sam sbrunk back.
Il wouldn't do it for $50" said Sam
"Old John Kendrick hanged himself from
the middle beam fourteen years ago, and
folks says he stands up there with a rope
around his neck every moonlight night
"Siuff and nonsensei " cried the captain
in accents of contempt. "You cowardly
loot, stay where you are, then, and I'll &c
myself
He sprang lightly up the rounds of the
ladder and disappeared through the trap
door.
"Where is ?" he called.
"The ghost ?"
"Blockhead l mean the string OF
bells"
Look for 'em YOURSELF said Sam sui
kily. 81 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 groped about in the
dim light.
Don't hurry yourself, cap'n,'' rejoin-
ed Sam, in jeering tone.
As the captain plunged into dark
corner there was jingle, and the string
of bells, suspended from a nail, hit him
directly on the neck, so like the grasp of
death cold fingers that he could not but
start.
ooh w said the captain nervously.-
Here they are Catch 'em Sam, Hell
10 ! where's the trap door p
And it 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 window and
threw it up, only to see Sam speeding up
the hill
'Hal.lo-o ?. yelled Captain Logan.
"Come back, you scoundrel-you iIl-con-
dition lout you imp of evil !"
you'll fiud the ladder on the barn
floor, cap'n," hooted the young rebel" an
don't be afraid of the ghost; its very
harmless if you let it alone"
"But, Sam, Sam, come back I'm TO
be at Mr. Browns at 7;3O o'clock"
Don't worry" bawled Sam. "NIiss
Carrie won't wait long before Mr.. Fred'l
be on hand"
The captain danced up and down on
the floor in an ecstacy 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.
"What is to be done? he 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 cut.
ter and a great chestnut horse The cap
tain was wild with the thought; surely
he was vanquished.
Il won't wait another moment for him,
said Carrie Brown, coloring up,wilh tears
in her blue eyes. "Go on girls shall
spend the evening at home"
There's plenty of room for you in ouI
sleigh, Carrie" coaxed her brother
Bessie Andrews will be glad to have you
along"
mo, she won't either" pouted Carrie
GAS if | would spoil all her fun No; j
l can't have an escort of my own III stay
at home and mend stockings, and never
will speak to Captain Logan again"
Charlie Brown was on the point Of ar
guing the matter with his sister when thc
door opened and in walked Fred Jones
"Not gone yet, Carrie? Where is the
captain ?"
a don't know" said Carrie tartly
'aud l don't care. Am Capt. Logan
keeper ?"
"Will you go with me?'
"Yes, l will" said Carrie, her eye
lighting and shy smiles dimpliug her face
"Of course" said Fred. 81 can't ex
pect to make myself as agreeable as th'
city captain, but"
"The captain! The captain cried Car
rie a little irritably, "Fm sick Of th'
sound of his name. | never want to SCI
him again. What a nice new cutter tha
is, and how easy the wolf robes are
Carrie, whispered Fred as be touch
ed up the horse and felt her nesting clost
to him, SIS it for always p
eyes, always" she answered.
mJernsolem :" said Farmer Kendrick