Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1901-09-11

| ioiN ~ was likely there WOulu DE any
callers at the farm. The following
morning l arose very early, having
passed restless night, and finding 1t
impossible TO take morning nap |
dressed and went downstairs seating
myself ON the porch. | had entirely for
gotten the fact that Captain was loose,
and as sat inhaling the fresh air from
the pines | was startled to behold the
dog standing by my side, gazing fixedly
on my face. For moment l was un-
| decided how to act. Retreat was i'm
possible-to show fear might induce
the brute TO fix his fangs in my throat
in an instant. | was afraid to speak,
lest strange voice might alter his pur-
pose If 1t was pacific. therefore look ed
| kindly at him and smiled. Majestically
striding up to me, he laid his broad
head upon my knee and | cautiously
began to caress him. During the oper-
alton Mr.. Shelly fortunately appeared
| upon the scene. He gave quick
glance toward me, and calling the dog
| took him to his kennel and chained him.
| Then it was l explained to him the cir
cumstance of my early rising, and the
unexpected meeting of Captain on the
porch.
81 don't quite comprehend your good
luck with the dog" he remarked, "but
| would advise you in future to keep
within doors until you have seen me
about"
IF you have no objection" l replied,
Il would very much like to feed the
dog once-only once. | will be very
careful, but l really will consider 1t
favor if you will consent to my re-
quest"
"All right" he returned. you know
what | have said about his terrible ma
ture; therefore be on your guard"
That day l carried Captain his din
ner, and he devoured 1t while l stood
by his side. From thenceforth l had
not misgiving as to his good disposi-
tion toward me.
| was detained at the farm for six
days before the lameness of my horse
allowed me to resume my journey. Dur
ing this period l became much attached
to Mr.. Shelly and his wife. Captain and
myself had grown to be such good
friends that we had taken several
strolls together over the land.
Notwithstanding my host and hostess
appeared to be affectionately attached
to each other, there was certainly
something wrong at the farm, and 1t
could not escape an ohservant eye.
Once or twice | had come upon Mr..
Shelly and his wife unexpectedly, and
| thought | detected traces Of tears In
her eyes, while her manner evidently
betrayed fear. Still her husband was so
kind all the while that l could not
avoid pondering on the matter. never
intruded my presence upon them If
could avoid 1t, but it sometimes would
occur in spite Of me.
: One afternoon came into the room
abruptly, and found Mr.. Shelly tanning
his wife, and caught remark he ut
tered with strong emphasis.
1--WE must sell this place." he said,
'for 1t appears impossible for you to
have days happiness here, and l
would sooner sacrifice 1t than see you
die slowly before my eyes. o, it's too
hardr' and he kissed her brow.
Turning about, he saw me, and knew
had heard his expression.
Il think l will lie down." said Mrs.
Shelly; and as she passed me | noticed
that her face was as pale as the dead.
When she had gone upstairs Mr..
Shelly turned to me and said:
81 suppose you perceive there is
something amiss here. You see no
hands about the place, and general
state of idleness re!gns supreme. OF
course there Is reason for 1t, and |
am going to tell you what 1t means.
you may consider me a madman or a
fool but | swear to you what l am
about to relate Is as true as holy writ.
l am an honest man, sir, and truthful
one, consequently | do not lie when |
say we have an-apparltion-in short,
a ghost here. | pray you do not hastily
imagine that | am weak and super
stltious man; you shall be convinced,
for you may see the whole matter with
your own eyes, and then judge for
yourself. My wife's health has been
failing ever since this thing came
about. and it breaks my heart to wit
ness her suffering. | can't find ready
purchaser for the place, and old Reu-
ben is the only person who will remain
with me; but, you see, he hides as much
as possible indoors. Look" he contin-
ued, pointing across the road to a piece
of woodland. "Do you observe yonder
fallen treeY
gazed in the direction indicated,
and saw the trunk of a large tree lying
prone on the ground. 1t was, in fact,
a huge log, from which the bark had
long been peeled. "Well," he continued,
'at irregular intervals the apparition
appears on that fallen tree, arrayed In
the traditional white drapery, and 1t
walks up and down, swaying to and
fro and all tha time waving IFS arms