The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-04-18

VAlhh3 WHCu XII opportunity Ol TCntlnB IL,
if in better state, induced him to have
it fixed up. Abernathy had moved into
the country; but, being Jack of all
trades" DR.. Crenshaw got him to take
the job of glazing it, the windows being
nearly. guiitlcss of glass, there being
scarcely pane to the sash.
Alternately came to town and went to
work quite readily, for in daytime he
did not mind being in the haunted
house. One evening, having been dri nix.
ing good deal duling the day, he laid
down before the fire ho usually kept up
in one Of the fireplaces when he was at
work, and fell asleep. He did not
awaken until next morning, and then
was proud beyond measure at the &C
cidcnt, boasting that he had stayed all
night, alone, in the haunted house
Alternately, in his elation, began to
banter me for bet that he would spend
a night alone in the haunted house. l,
Of course, caring nothing about the
matter, declined. For day or two.
| would again propose and insist on it,
At length, becoming annoyed by his per
tinacity, | determined on some fun at
his expense, and agreed to make the bet
with him on Ger ain conditions. He
was 80 eager for the wager, he sub
scribed to anything to get it up. The
stake, by his own choice, was fine hat,
and a condition Of the bet was that after
he once laid down that night he was
not to rise. If he did 30 on any account
ho lost.
After supper, armed with his tools
and bottle OF whiskcy, he went into
the haunted house" He worked until
late, taking frequent pulls at his bottle
to fortfy his courage. He locked and
barred the doors. and over each lower
them from being hoistcd At length,
tired and sleepy, he laid down on his
pallet before the fire.
Outside. watching our chance, were
| beside myself, William McCaw, Ran.
dolph Erwin, and one or two others We
were tired OF waiting, for Alternately
had worked later than we had anticipa
ted. AS soon as we saw through the
windows that he had laid down. we be-
gan operations. His head could hardly
have touched the pillow till no slept,
and 30 sound was his slumber, no was
not easily disturbed. We were provided
with ono Of old Mrs. McCalls cats, a
bladder containing shot to tic to its
tail, and William McCaw had q syringe
which held nearly quart, filled with
water ready for use.
Abcrnathy had fastened the window
so securely, it was great deal Of trouble
to get one open. With tho help Of a
crowbar, we at length succeeded in
doing so. We threw in tho cat as we
raised the sash, for she was getting OBJ
strcperous, and using hor claws vigor-
ously, and then let the sash fall OF it's
own weight. This noise aroused Aber-
nhthy for tho first time. Around the
room went the cat, drag ging tho bladder
OF shot after her on the floor. "Ill
shoot somo Of you" roard Abcrnathy !;
know you boys are trying to scarce
me- Rattle, Iattle. "I'll shoot some of
you, say" again he cried, afraid to
condition OF the bet being that he was to
lose If he arose. The cat found dark
corner, and the fire was nearly burned
out. and rested moment On her
terrified circuit. A confederate, under
the house, gave a sepulchral groan, and
in ghostly voice pronounced the awful
words, "Thls night shall thy soul be re-
quircd Of thee" The cat again began
to run around the room as furiously as
before. Rattle, rattle, went the bladder
on the floor, and groans Issued from
different corners Of the building. "Pll
shoot you! I'll shoot you - hallocd
hollow groan. On went the cat in its
frantic course, fairly mad itself with
terror. "Grcat heaven! I can't stand
this" said our hero. Groans bui st from
every side in response ~ must get
up" he continued. He arose and dashed
to The door OF the room in which he was
lying. He had this 90 securely fastened
that 1t took him somo little time to un
do it, and in the meantime we wcrc en-
abled to meet around tho corner The
front door opens near tho corner. At
last he got the door unlocked, and
reached the front entrance. whore he
paused a moment on the step. William
McCaw, from our station around the
corner, discharged the whole contcnts
OF tho syringe full in his face. The
terrified man looked up at tho sky-it
was beautiful starlight and exclaimed
" Morciful goodness raining and not a
cloud in the heavens |" With that he
started at full speed down the street
Ia his fright and haste leaving tho door
open. Guessing that he had gone to get
some oneto hslp him iathom the matter,
we ran in and liberated the cat, In order
That no evidence Of human hendcraft