Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-05-02
THE GREEN
THAT WALKED
By John L. CONSlDlNE

1Copyright. BY shOrtstory Pub. Coz
"Cautain," said the man on Post No
us, I'D like to be relieved. A couple
| OF weeks rest might put me right
again"
whats the matter: Sick?"
mot exactly that. captain. It's my
eyes; I've been seeing things"
The captain of the guard eyed the
man sharply
"been drinking?"
mo, sir. ITS not that-no pink rats
nor blue monkeys. nor anything oil
that sort. The fact is" and here be
lowered his voice to the level OF q
confidential whisper, although the
nearest man was the guard on Post
No. l2, threescors yards away. i've
been seeing the grass walk"
Whats that" snapped the captain.
ITS q fact, sir. ! didn't pay SO much
attention to It at first. but now that
It's happened three times. I'm begin
ming to think that my eyes are going
back on me. or else that I'm getting
Authorizations"
The captain looked at Guard No. Is
in dismay. Hitherto he had regarded
this man az one OF his sanest and
steadiest tjubordinates.
Tell me about it," he commanded.
There's nothing to it. much. ex.
cept that every afternoon patch Of
grass out there In the alfalfa field be-
gins to move slowly toward the south.
At first l thought 1t was the bay
breeze. rolling through the grass, but
then, recollected. it, wave was
toward the bay. Besides. It seemed to
me that this grass just picked itself
I'D in q patch and moved along. indie
pendent Of the grass around"
Does this movement always start
from the same pointf"
mo; each day 1t begins . little
further south"
Hum! A little closer to the south
q little close- to the bay. that Is. AT
any regular timer
why. l hadn't thought OF that. Yes;
let me see. Yes, believe 1t was at
the same time each afternooE. From
half.past two to three. say"
The captain glanced at his watch.
ITS 2:35 now he said. DO you
see anything?"
The guard peered long and care
fully to the southwark.
Yes, SIR" he responded. ITS on
me again-the grass moves"
"Where?" inquired tn captain.
The guard pointed to a spot near
where the alfalfa field met the fence
line. Sure enough, as 1t seemed to the
captain, a patch Of green. probably
ak feet in length and three In width.
was making speedy progress In the
direction of the fence.
Take AIM" shot from the captains
lips. Can you hit it,"
The guard raised his rifle. but with
shaking hands.
Let M have It," cried the other.
with a scornful gesture.
Steeling his nerves. the guard hred
The grass was still.
The captain ran down the stairs,
and toward 1t. Regardless Of possible
reprimand. the guard followed. Ar
rived at the spot. the ofiicer stopped to
lift, and examine. an ingenious con-
trivance. It consisted Of two layers OF
burlap sacking. the upper one bearded
With grass. The space between had
been filled with loan. and from this,
planted in wheat. the green blades
had forced their way through the
loosely-guarded interstices OF the up
per piece Of cloth.
While the captain surveyed with ad.
miration undisguised this novel garb
OF living green. the form Of Its de
signer. . man in stripes with shaver
bead. lay 8 BE fesf-
And bassAe the body. stricken With.
vain regret. knslt Guard No. IL.
"The arst ever killed he muttersd
6wmh,v NAV God forgive me-"