The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-05-22
An UnreCorded Story.
e.
Submitted in The Tribune's Short Story Contest
BY GEORGE e. HAAk.

Gwen eyed him incredulously for
moment Jim, since when ----' and
seeing the merry twinkle in his eye.
said, "for that, two packs at fifteen
cents"
"All right" assented Jim. good
naturedly. but don't ye tell the ole
woman or there'll be"
Nov sure. jim" interposed Mrs.
Grogan. who dropped in jest to see
what's noo." Don't be goin' Nit.
What's thot we hear about Mr.. FAR
ley. who cum home early this marning
frum Philadelphia and who was hild
up and relaived of two hundred ana
eighty dollars in goold?'
"Twasn't tha mooch,' asserted MIS-.
Durkin. sagefly; 'me Moike seq too
hundred and sivinty-foive.' FIVE DOL
lars making a mountain of difference.
"Twas So reaffirmed Mrs. Grogan,
"me husband was on the
"Sphot. mostly likely" sarcastically
interposed Mrs. Durkin.
NO. Not on the sphot. the devil
take We. but on the noight shift, and
he cum home with Mr.. Farley.
Hold on 1t were this way" broke
in Jim at n nod from Gwen. who saw
the coming storm. "Alr. Farley was
comm up from the station. and whin
close to the river somethin' jumped up.
big and terrible loike, so he says,
dressed i'm a. white shroud like or cape.
an cries:
"'Give me your money, quick
"Takc thot, them" seZ Mr.. Farley.
but afore he drew his pistol he re-
cetived a beat on the head from stick
which daZed him. and the somethin'
set on him and beat him down. took
| his money and jumped in the river and
disappeared
"Thc saints presarve u.s." CALCULATED
Mrs. Grogan.
And was no trace found of him."
Inquired Gwen. Are you sure he
| jumped in the river?
although search was made, nothing
could be found of him. No trace. The
water leaves no trace. BegOrra! I'd
loike a crack at the spalpeen meself.
So l would
THAT night rust-eatem bolts and
bars were applied that for months had
not been touched, but in spite of all
these precautions the uncanny marau-
der still paid his respects. Bold high
way robberies We're committed shortly
| after dark. Campbell's store was loot
ed, and Boniface Morgan, of the Oak
! house. had q well-filed till rifed short
| ly before closing: in fact, the people
were terrorized. Now here, now there:
| no descriptions corresponding, except
| that he was tall, very muscular and
| dressed invariably in white or black
cape which reached to the knees. OF
| one thing they were certain. Some of
| the old disbanded slopes and air-holes
| of the White Oak were this creatures s
| means of egress and ingreSs, and es-
| pecially those near the river.
On noon. Friday. April 90. the
| miners were paid for their month s
| labor in gold, and as was customary,
| the evening witnessed free fights of
an unlimited variety. However, eight
or ten of the toughest element pro-
ceeded to get riOtouSly drunk at the
upper town at a tavern kept by one
| Michael SpoOney. and by night were
| in Il hilarious mood. Late that night
| "A fearful thunder storm arose. 1t
| swept down the valley in sullen rage.
| wrestling with huge trees and accom-
| panied by their mournful notes as they
| bent beneath its crushing weight. The
| driving wind seemed To increase the
| force of the watery globes as they
| struck the board roofs as if to drive
| them through. All violent electrical
storms affected Mrs. Davis. and as the
storm increased her strength gave way,
| and she collapsed completely and lay
gasping on Il couch in a little room in
| the rear of the store.
Mother" whispered Gwen, standing
over her. Mother. drink this and
while with one hand she held her
| mother. with the other she held IL
goblet to her mothers lips containing
! brandy. Don't worry, mother: we
are safe. Now I'll hurry over and tell
| Doc. Evans TO come in"
The storm. the storm, my child,
| 1t will carry you away"
| Not me, mother; so rest easy" and
with Il hurried kiss. and an 'I'll he
back soon,' she wrapped herself in an
old shawl and started off,
| Once outside. she found it had ceased
| raining. but the wind and vivid light
ming and deep reverberations of the
| thunder sent IL chill through her body
| She struggled bravely on, and was
| reaching the more thickly popula ed
| portion of the town, when her atten-
ton was diverted to some one coming
| down the street.
wonder who it is" was her menta
exclamation. Must be some of the
men going to work" discerning more
| than one. "Well. they know me, SC
| whose afraid" But hark. They were
quarrelling. and on the gale was borne
to her the sounds of oaths and harsh
| words.
"'rhat's Sam Morgans voice. as a
| Volley of curses fell on her ear. Now