Oxford Democrat., 1908-02-04

Miss Ellery and Miss Parks when
they took their places were eager to
hear of his adventures Of the night be
fore
"Was there anything doing in the
haunted room last night" Daisy ea-
gerly inquired. "And were you game,
Pete, or did you cut and run?"
"Och." exclaimed Mrs. Morningstar,
aghast, NOW you didn't sleep over
there, after all, did you? I didn't hear
you make any, and you was In your
room, till (when) we got up already this
morning"
"Yes," answered Pete, surreptitious
ly watching Eunlce's face opposite him
as he spoke. He observed that Abe,
at her side, was nearly dislocating his
eyeballs trying to look at her without
betrayng himself by turning his head.
Her habitual manner of utter with
drawal from her surroundings was un-
changed today, though he fancied he
detected a quivering Of her lashes as
he spoke.
"You really did have the, fine cour-
age to sleep in that roomy Georgiana
asked, leaning toward him across the
table, with her smile and tone of in
viting his confidence.
81 didn't do SO very much at Sleep
in" he answered.
"Did the spirits keep you awake"
she asked indulgently.
Mrs. Morningstar had dropped her
knife on her plate and was staring at
him apprehensively, while Mr.. Morn
ingstar suspended lis onslaught upon
his food as he awaited his story. Abe
and Ollie also fixed their eyes upon
him wonderingly Eunice was the on
ly one who did not look at him.
"Did you see it, Doc" Mrs. Morn
Ingstar asked breathlessly. evidently
forgetting in her anxious interest her
objections to Eunice's hearing any
thing of the story Of the room.
81 seen it. yes, ma'am," Peter an
swered.
"Oh, tell us about IT," cried Daisy.
"What did 1t do? And what did you
do?"
Il asst it was it the spook. and 1t
sayed it was. Then ast 1t would It
set, and it sot Then ast would it
have a drink, and 1t sayed It didn't
drink. a .i.:,el.e: | at. Didn't
smoke. it Eyed. Aint up to date, |
tole 1t. Ladies' where thiak3 anything
Of theirselfs these days smokes cig.l-
rettes, says"
"Oh, lady, was it," exclaimed
Daisy. Did you have u sympathetic
time with her? Go on; tell US
Want some more" he Inquired
smiably. We'll. then. I ~: her N.or:i
she play solitaire with me. Didn't
gamble. neither. she says"
"Oh, look here. Peter-skiddoo!" cried
Daisy. Now. stop jollying us ana tell
us what you did really see-please."
she begged. Were you up against
anything? You're SO foxy never
know wnen you are jollying u.s."
mo use my tellin' you If you don't
blee' me-" Peter returned. ostentatious-
ly holding u huge slice Of bread on his
palm and spreading butter all over 1t.
81 shall sleep there tonight" Daisy
declared. "Fm game! And I'll fix that
ghost only wish 1t were man.. she
sighed.
mo, you don't, neitherw exclaimed
Mrs. Morningstar. "I'll venture down
that there hall myself and make the
door locked before I'll leave no more
boarders Sleep In there! I'm al wor-
ried up with thinkin' Doc was IL there
last night l get 1t in my nerves So
ugly If I'm worried UP" she said
plaintively.
Peter felt a bit worried up" himself
at the thought of his prospective visit
with Eunice that night being intcrlered
with either by the locking of the door
or, worse still. by the irrrp:es@ ible
Daisy Parks coming In on them.
"What's the matter. pop?" lie asked.
thinking to divert attention from the
discussion of the room to the grotesque
appearance Of the head OF the family.
whose neck wa; swatheI IN rel nanhIl
and who was mixing himself dose of
whisky and water.
81 amt so good" Mr.. Morningstar
answered hoarsely. IL took the cold
goin' to town yesterday in the rain TO
git the money Off the bank with them
checks you gev me. Pete he said rue
fully. Don't you be payin' me agin
In no such checksv he growled.
Gimme straight. plain cash. offered
that there dude check OF yourn to the
bank like what you sayed fur me TO
do and tolc the fel!er nj the little win
der to pay up. He says. You must In
dorse It, and give It back. 'How's that
done? ! asst him. I amt on TO these
here dude ways" | says. 'lndorse II
on the back he says. So wrote.
III indorse this here check heartily
and gev II 90 him agin. No. that
wouldn't do. neither; must write OF
my name. he says. Now, writln' don't
come SO wonderful handy to me. and
II was gittin' mad by that time! But
he sayed he couldn't pay me till | got
II right done. So | done II fur him.
But | don't want TO have no more such
bother gIttin' my money! | don't be-
lieve In banks and I never deal at
'em. And here I had 10 ketch this
here cold yet. got II so bad can't
make very loud no more. But nom
she clapt such n tar plaster on Inc and
tied flannen on. so now kin make
little louder yet. concelte1 little
whisky would help-fur all ! Amt no
drinker. though oncet | did have 1t so
bad In my insides It went two months
till got better agin. And" he related
with evident pride In the facts. Il had
to take whole gallon Of whisky! \
whole gallon In two months! Indeed,
YES. You'll think I'm drunkard yet.
Amt? But" he boosted. when man
Is a man he kin temperance hisself. He
don't have to leave 1t be altogether!
Abe" he added. turning to his son. II
don't feel fur workin' this after.
You'll have to git along without me-.
I'm goin' to lay. Eunice she can so
along to the field over and help you.'
81 need her here, pop" Mrs. Morn
ingstar quickly objected, a. jealous