Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-06-07
HOW TOM CAUGHT A GHOST.
->S>S&>s.S>s>a>x>&><S&S

SN ELLNllLE was haunted. 1t had
J0 a ghost of its own. Almost ev-
cry one in the town, from Squire
Thompson to Silly White, had seen it,
so that it WIS useless to dispute it.
The excitement regarding the ghost
was at its hei hit when something more
startling than ghosts was at first whis-
pered, and then boldly talked over, and
that was robbery.
Those who were not burdened with
an abundance of this worlds goods
were frightened, and those who had
plenty were in panic, and between
its ghost and its losses, quiet Bellvilla
was in state of alarming excitement.
Joe Benton had bid Annie Watson
good night, and gone whistling toward
home, when suddenly a tall, white fig
ure rose out of the ground" he said
and JOe's valor went into his heels, and
the way he ran must have astonshed
the ghost.
Joe was rallied mercilessly, but not
long, for the ghost appeared to his tor
mentors, and their laughter turned to
seeing which could run the fastest,
they or the ghost.
The boys took to staying at home
nights, greatly to the delight of anx-
ious mothers. They were not afraid of
million ghosts not they, but they
didn't feel very well, with a groan, and
were going to bed.
Tom Wadleigh was passing his vaca-
ton at Bellville and, as he was 10
years old, he laughed scornfully when
his 1O-year-old consin told him of the
ghost why. Harry" said he, there
isn't any such thing as a ghost. Moth
err says so, and she knows"
mo, she don't" retorted Harry, "for
l beard DR.. Smith tell cousin Carrie it
frightened his horse so he ran away
and smashed his buggy all to pieces"
"Why didn't he find out what it
was?"
HE was going to when it scared his
horse" ....
81 should like to see it." said Tom.
boldly. has it ever been seen here?"
mo, indeed" gasped Harry; Eyes,
there it is now, right by the window"
at is the moon shining on the cur
tain" springing out of bed and going
to the window. How beautifully the
moon shines"
His heart almost ceased to beat as
he leaned from the window. for right
below him walked the ghost. Sparks of
fire issued from its mouth, and it
doomed up ten feet at least. Some said
fifteen or twenty and some that it was
taller than the tallest trees, but 1 sus-
pect that they measured it by their
fears The ghost moved slowly away,
and Tom saw pair of legs. He was a
shrewd boy, and he lay awake until
morning thinking.
Squire Thompson was robbed last
night" exclaimed Carrie, as he entered
the breakfast room next morning.
"Why don't they catch the ghost?"
he asked absently.
The ghost" laughed Carrie. 81
should say the thief"
II should say it would be more TO
the purpose" said his uncle
After breakfast Tom wandered down
by the river; climbing tree he was
soon lost in thought. Presently hear
ing cracking of twigs he looked from,
his leafy screen and saw MAJ. rapidly
approaching After looking cautiously
around, he placed package in a tree,
took line and hook from his pocket
and strolled down to the river.
Toms curiosity was aroused. and as
the man disappeared he slid down from
his seat and went to the tree. What
was his disappointment in not finding
any aperture. Being determined not
to give up, he looked more closely, ran
his hand over the bark and cut here
and there with his knife, and at length,
to his great joy, found it Putting in
his hand he drew forth some dried
leaves. then a miscellaneous collection
of pocketbooks, packages, watches and
1ewelry. He looked at the articles in
MANAGEMENT
\ After celebrating a long time he con-