Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-06-06
HOW TOM CAUGHT A GHOST.
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50 ELLVILLE was haunted. 1t had
Jo) ghost Of Its own. Almost ev-
cry one In the town, from Squire
Thompson to Billy White, had seen it,
SO that 1t was useless to dispute 1t.
The excitement regarding the ghost
was at its height when something more
startling than ghosts was at first wbls-
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 We're In panic, and between
Its ghost and Its losses, quiet Bellville
was in a state of alarming excitement.
Joe Benton had bid Annie Watson
goodnight, and gone whistling toward
home. when suddenly 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 astonished
the ghost.
Joe was rallied mercilessly, but moi
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 groan, and
were going to bed
Tom Wadleigh was pussing his vaca-
ton at Bellville and, as he was 1G
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 n ghost. Moth
err says so, and she Knows"
.sNo, she DON'T" retorted Harry, "for
beard DR.. Smith tell cousin Carrie ii
frightened his horse SO he ran away
and smashed his buggy all to pieces.
"Why didn't he find out what II
VAST"
"He was going to when 1t scared his
horse"
81 should like to see It," said Tom
boldly, "has it ever been seen here2"
mo, indeed gasped Harry; Eyes
there 1t is now, right by the window
ct 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 II
looped up ten feet at least. Some said
fifteen or twenty and some that it was
taller than the tallest trees, but sus
pect that they measured 1t by their
fears. The ghost moved slowly away
and Tom saw pair of legs. He was q
shrewd boy, and he lay awake unit
morning thinking;
Squire Thompson was robbed las
night" exclaimed Carrie, as he entered
the breakfast room next morning.
'.sWhy don't they catch the ghost p
he asked absently.
.'The ghost" laughed Carrie. q
should say the thief"
snOuld say IL would be more II
the purpose" said his uncle.
After breakfast Tom wandered dow
by the river; climbing a tree he wal
soon lost in thought. Presently hear
Ing cracking of twlgs he looked from
his leafy screen and saw man rapid,
approaching. After looking cautiousl,
around, he placed package in tree
took line and hook from his poke
and strolled down to the river.
TOMS curiosity was aroused, and n
the man disappeared he. slid down iron
his seat and went to the tree. VIVA
was his disappointment in not findin,
any aperture. Being determined no
to give up, he looked more closely, raj
his hand over the bark and cut her
Z and there with his knife, and at length
to his great joy, found 1t. Putting Ii
his hand he drew forth some drie,
leaves, then miscellaneous collection
of ,pocketbooks. packages. watches an,
1ewelry, He looked at the artlclea II
amusement
Asses collaborating . long time he eoa