The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-01
OUAKLEY SLOPE.
Submitted in The Tribune's Short Story Contest.

Harry had. of late. been away twice,
but was now at home and in every
way possible, was insisting on Agnes
to show reciprocal affection. 1t was
his desire to get married and move
away, so us to live down a memory.
But to moving and deserving the old
folks Agnes would not consent. She
hcsitated about getting married. too.
for she had no love for her suitor. and
felt as If she never could: she often
told him so in an indirect way, which
he failed to understand. or would not.
She had thoughts, she felt sometimes
were true, yet dared not profess
Finally, after consultation. persecu-
tion and advice of her mother, who
felt that her daughter was getting a
worthy man in Harry, Agnes con-
scented. with bowed head. unhappy
heart, and weeping eyes. to accept the
plea of her lover for her heart and
affection
She promised, but dreaded the con-
sequences: there was something con-
cealed she felt, that fate-unhappy
fate-had in store for her.
From the day Agnes promised to
be the wife of Harry Trescore little
was seen of her in the knots of young
people gathered together for soca-
bility and amusement.
An official of the company induced
Milton Trescore, Georges father. who
had moved into another district to
return and accept of an outside fore
manship.
Milton TreScOrc with sad recollec-
ton, entered upon his duty.
1aV ih
Trescore was made outside boss. n
man was seen in an awful hurry COM
ing out of the slope: it was near three
IN the afternoon. 1t was nothing re-
ilarkapie to see man go out at this
time, or any during working hours,
but 1t was his frightened appearance
ana distressed look that attracted at
tention.
Whats the matter with Brenncr?"
SAID one to another.
he saw the ghost" was the answer.
When hrenner got home he was
shaking like a leaf from fright and
half of the people of the long row"
We're soon standing around his place
trying to find out as nearly as possible
what he saw. He looked frightened
out OF his wits, and, judging from the
paroNysms of his mental frenzy, they
al came to the conclusion the man
mad suddenly became crazy, and
dropped the whole thing at that
rms seemed to be a sad state of ar
fairs, Nick Brenner. who laughed
ana chaffed at the idea of a ghost, TO
be at last so overcome by the delusion
What was the world coming to
brennen never returned to work
AFTER his recovery from the fright he
became so thoroughly disgusted with
himself for the way he acted that he
moved away.
NO reports of the ghost, for weeks.
were made after the Brenner incident
I'LL one morning a miner noticed curi-
Gus chalk marks in his place. He called
IN others, and together they held con-
sullation. The same curious marks
were found scrawled in other breasts
and in gangways.
The week following this new, phase
other peculiar incidents began unfold
ing.
by this time the bravest We're thor
oughly alarmed, and it looked as if
the mine was to be deserted in another
week, If something was not done
quickly.
lhe miners were acting so SLOWLY
that 1t seemed the worst would have
to come; but, before going out one
day, they met at the foot OF the slope.
and after long talk, considera BILE
wrangling and jungling, formed them
selves into committee of searchers,
with the determination of going
through the mine, new and old, "ghost
or no ghost"
The next day was the one set for the
marriage of Harry and Agnes, "to take
place at eight p. M"
Most of the young men and some of
the old We're invited, by card to be
present at the CEREMONY and to enjoy
a hospitable meal, to be prepared for
the occasion.
None of the young men wanted to be
absent, and SO manifested it at the
meeting. The conclusion reached by
the miners was: "On tomorrow we
search the entire mine"
The names We're al tf,,en down by
the - '"~'an. and a board of three ap-
pointe' see that no man" was alb
sent Thry were TO move in a body.
This step was important and could
not be postporpd nor helped ON account
Hf the wedding, though il might pre-