The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-03-13
SAM 0UTVITTED HIM,

throwing tnem uOWn on the stone neaftn
with a noise like Il small earthquake,
when Carrie Brown started up.
Five O'clock! Oh! 1 had no idea it
was so late. l must be going home
'\llow me TO accompany YOU, Miss
Brown"
You'll let me see you home, Carrie?"
Capt. Logan and Fred Jones both
spoke at once, but Carrie shook her head.
II prefer to walk home alone" she
said gayly.
About the sleighing party tomorrow
njght?' asked Fred, anxiously.
~ have promised Capt. Logan.
said the village beauty. Il rosy tint suf-
fusing her cheek.
But. Carrie, thought it was settled
between you and me two weeks ago.
exclaimed Fred with trown.
WAS it? l am sure l had forgotten
it,"
Fred was silent Capt. Logan's
smooth, soft toned voice broke the 81
lence.
II exact no promises" he said gallant
ly, 'but if l am not punctual to the
hour and the spot, Miss Brown may
draw her own conclusions.
And Carrie went home.
She was very pretty, this bright-eyed
New England damsel. Fred Jones had
loved her ever since they were children
together. and Capt. Logan. who had
come down to spend the Christmas holi
days with his cousins. the Hendricks.
had become so fond of those bright blue
eyes and golden hair that he had pro-
longed his visit into January.
"..'Pon my, word. she's regular BEAU
ty.' said the captain. staring through
the tiny window panes at the retreating
figure of Miss Brown.
Fred Jones looked quickly up at him,
as il he would have liked to knock him
over into the fireplace, but he refrain"'l
from any such demonstration.
"A beauty went on the captain, and
it's thousand pities she should be
wasted on any of the country pumpkins
who yegetate among these wildernesses.
Sam. you young villain, are those boots
of mine BACKED yet?'
No. they, ain't.'' said sam; GROSSLY.
"Well, what's the reason?
"'Cause l amt had time
''See you find time then, quickly, too
said the captain. And Sam glowered
after him as he went gayly up the stairs.
Just wish | had the firm of him out
said the boy gloomily. It's Sam. do
this and Sam. do that and Sam,
where is the warm water: and 'Sanl,
what in the deuce do you mean by let
ting my fire go out? and not IL cent has
he guy me yet-no. nor SO much as
ptciStHt NOIu. "OIIuV1 - he AAS"h'
to stay here always!'
You and | are about equal in our
love for him. Sam. said Fred Jones.
laughing.
II hccret him talkin' with Miss Carrie
about goin' sleighridin' tomorrow night"
said Sam. shrewfly. I'D jes' like to
put Kicking Tom in the shafts. I
would if it weren't for Miss Carrie. He
don't know nothin' about horses. that
RI \1f1 Sc,
chucklcd.
Il say. Mr.. Jones. why don't YOU get
beforehand with him? Miss Carrie don't
really care for him; she's only dazzlcd-
like"
Fred Jones frowned slightly: honest
Sam was not exactly the kind of Gany
mede he cared to have NEEDLE with his
love affairs.
Miss Brown must choose for herself
his work, secretly wondering how a
young lady. gifted with ordinary sense.
could hesitate for moment between
the captain and Fred Jones.
The night came-a perfect night for
sleighing expeditions and rustic love
making, the roads hard and we'll packed
and glorious moon shining down white
ly. as if a rain of silver were delugine
the whole world.
Couldn't be better weather." said the
captain. Sam, where are the Sleigh
bells?''
Dunno" said Sam. ''There's them
old jinglers in the garnet that used to be-
long to Deacon John Kendrick. that was
in the Revolutionary war, and there's the
cowbells that Mary Jane might scour up
with ashes
''Pshaw" said the captain: DO you
take me for Il Rip Van Wrinkle? There's
q nrQftv Sfrin 7
saw them when Mrs. Kendrick went out
day before yesterday
II hain't see nothin' on EN-" said
Sam. stolidly.
Come, come, Sam. Don't make your
self out any stupider than you be by ma
ture," said the farmer, laughing never
theless, for the captains airs were fast
wearing out his welcome, and he secret
ly sympathized with the much-abused
II guess they're out in the barn cham
her. You better 20 with him, captain,
if you expect to find 'em-our Sans
dreadful thick-headed when he chooses
to be-
"Come along, my fine fellow" said the
captain, collaring Sam and marching
him off in the direction of the old red
barn. eve don't need any lantern in
this moonlight; that is one comfort"
"Where are the stairs?' demanded the
captain, as they entered the barn.
"Ain't none," said Sam. Its a lad
der"
up with you, then" said Logan, but
Sam shrunk back.
81 wouldn't. not for $50" said Sam
"Old John Kendrick hanged himself
from the middle beam fourteen years
ago, and folks say he stands up there
with rope around his neck every NOON
light night
STUFF and nonsense!' cried the cap
tain in accents of contempt. "You cow
ardly lout, stay where you are, then, and
I'll go myself
He sprang lightly up the rounds of the
ladder and disappeared through the trap
door.
where is it?'' he called.
"The ghost? Right under the middle
beam by the windy was the place
"Blockhead! meant the string of
BELLS"
"Look for EN- yourself" said Sam,
sulkiIy. II don't know where they be,
and what's more don't care
"IL settle with you, my fine fellow,
when 1 come down." said the captain,
threateningy, as he CROPPED about in the
dim light, which came through cobweb-
draped window at either end of the barn
chamber.
Don't hurry yourself, cap'n,' rejoined
Sam, in q jeering tone.
AS the captain plunged into dark
corner there was jingle, and the 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
"Herc they are Catch 'em, Sam! Halo!
Where's tho trn rf1ontS '