The Washington times., 1901-09-29

Then he added miSchievOuSiy. Slyiy Wink
ing at John: Tim, If l am killed before
l return l VIII let you know it through
the spirit. / will rap on the headboard
of year bed at night Spirits are always
around at night. and 1 shall rap very
softly at tirst, then louder than a bass
drum. so that you will know that 1t is l.
George Cowee, and no matter what hour
il Is you must hasten here to Johns house
and tell him. l am sure that If he be-
lieves = he will at cnce be converted to
your views"
Just then an old clock upon the kitchen
shelf struck 10, and the young man added: :
'Ah, John, that you may also know
that 1 have passed away. 1 will ring that
clock. 1 will ring it for an hour, and
wake you and your wife up and keen you
awake the whole time" George Cowee
was only jesting. and he smiled as he
went West
Weeks and months went by, and moth
ing was heard from him.
1t was now the beginning of May.
AS there was much horse shoeing to be
done in the springtime. Tim was kept
very busy. John Davis was also hard at
work One Tuesday, May 4. John had
plowed all day. and when night came he
was unusually tired, and went early to
bed
In the middle of the night he and his
wife were awakened by the striking of
the clock In the kitchen. They thought
it was IL o'clock. but the clock did not
stop when 1t had struck Il, but struck on
and on.
What in thunder aiIs that clock?" he
exclaimed and he got up and went into
the kitchen. He shook the old clock, but
1t would not stop ringing. He took 1t
down from the shelf and laid it on its
back upon the kitchen table. but he could
not stop 1t from striking. 1t rang fully
an hour. until John was tempted to throw
it out into the yard; then it ceased as
suddenly as it began, and was as quiet as
a mouse.
THE old clock is worn outr John said.
II must get another one" and he return
ed to his bed and slept.
Il was hardly daylight when he heard
a team driving into his yard. Going to
the door he beheld his old friend Tim
Tim was all excitement and his voice
trembled as he called out to John from
his buggy:
Did your clock ring in the night last
night?"
"Well-yes." John answered; but how
did you know that?''
Don't you remember George Cowee.
and what he told us about his spirit
mnnifesting itself to us? If you don't I
do. and 1 am sure George Cowee Is
deadl"
''Nonsenser' John cried. 1.-THE young
rascal is probably alive and kicking"
Nonsense or no nonsense" Tim said,
Il believe he is dead for all night could
not sleep About Il o'clock, when was
thinking about the spirits. there came a
rap upon the headboard of my bed, faint
ly at first. and then when asked IL II
was George Cowee's spirit, such thump-
ing and humping you never heard. 1t was
louder than a bass drum. AS soon as day.
light I made haste to come to YOU"
''Ha. ha, hal" laughed John; you had
the nightmare, sure enough:" he said
But Tim sadly shook his head. He knew
it was the Spirits"
Come down to my shop this afternoon
and we will talk about it." Tim said as
he drove away.
That afternoon John went down to the
shop.
mot because 1 want to talk about
ghosts" he said, but to have Tim put a
new shoe on my mare"
As Tim worked on the mares foot
they fell to talking. and naturally the
conversation drifted to the strange events
of the previous night.
Before they had finished talking about
the rappings on Tins headboard. Mr..
Maxon, the station agent, came into the
shop. and he held in his hand folded
paper.
Il saw your wagon out there. Mr. Da-
Wis" he said, "and thought II you were
going right home 1 could get you to de-
liver this message that has just come for
Deacon Cowee"
Certainly 1 will deliver it," John an
swered, and the agent handed him the
paper and departed.
As soon as he was out of the shop both
old men drew near each other and looked
at the telegram addressed to Deacon
Cowee. and this Is what 1t said:
Denver, Col. May s.
Your nephew, George Cowee was kill
ed in railroad accident here last night"
Both old men stared into the fire. silent,
sad. thoughtful-Waverly Magazine.