Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1909-05-06

| Then IN the moonlight tney saw the
white face OF the pickpocket peeping
over the sill. and while some stayed
In the yard. others ran into tho
house and helped the other man TO
break the door In. II was difficult 10
obtain an entrance even then. for II
was barred with heavy furniture. but
they got In at last, and the first thing
that met their eyes was the body OF
Jerry dangling from the top OF the
bed by his own handkerchief"
(Which bedroom was III" asked
two or three voices together.
The narrator shook his head.
"That1l do" said an uneasy voice.
81 wish you'd thought to ask your
father which bedroom II was"
What for?" inquired the old gen.
tleman.
"Well. ! should take care not to
sleep In II. that's all" said the voice,
shortly.
Pooh! nonsense!" said the old
gentleman. rising; ghosts can't hurt
you. For my own part. ! should
rather like to see one. Good night,
gentlemen"
"old humbug!" said Hirst. Il
should like to put him to the test.
Suppose dress up as Jerry Bundler
and 60 and give him chance OF dis
playing his courage?
Bravo" said Malcolm, huskily.
drowning one or two faint noes"
Just for the joke, gentlemen"
"No, no! Drop 1t. Hirst," said an
other man.
only for the joke" said Hirst. some
what eagerly. i've got some things
upstairs In which am going to play
In the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., buckles.
and all that sort OF thing. It's a rare
chance. II you'll wait a bit I'll give
you a full.dress rehearsal, entitled,
Jerry Bundler; or The Nocturnal
Stranger
I'll bet you a level SOW. you don't
brighten me, said the stout trav'
eler.
"Done." said Hirst. I'LL take the
bet to brighten you first and the
old gentleman afterwards. These gen.
tlemen shall be the judges"
He ran lightly upstairs to his room.
leaving the others, most OF whom had
been drinking somewhat freely, to
wrangle about his proceedings. II
ended in two OF them going to bed.
Hes crazy on acting" said
Somers. lighting his pipe. Thinks
he's the equal of anybody almost. 1t
doesn't matter with us, but I won't
let him go to the old man. And he
won't mind so long as he gets an op'
portunity of acing to u.s."
"E's comm, gentlemen" he said.
breathlessly.
why, you're frightened. George"
said the stout commercial, with a
chuckle.
1T was the suddenness of it." said
George. sheepishly; land besides.
didn't look for seem i'm In the bar.
There's only a glimmer Of light there.
and e was sitting on the floor behind
the bar. nearly trod on i'm"
Oh you'll never make a man,
George" said Malcolm.
You don't know what it's like, sir"
said George, catching him by the
sleeve. 1T amt fit 10 look at by |
yourself, II amt, indeed. It's got the
What's that?"
They all started ut the sound of q
smothered cry from the staircase and
the sound of somebody running hur-
riedly along the passage. Before
anybody could speak, the door few
open and a figure, bursting into the
room, flung itself gasping and SILVER
ing upon them.
What is It? What's the matter?"
demanded MALCOLM. why. it's Mr..
Hirst." He shGok him roughly and then
held some spirit to his lips. Hirst
drank 1t grsedily, and with a sharp
intake Of his breath gripped him by
the arm.
Light the gas, George" said NAL
colin.
The waiter obeyed, hastily. Hirst,
q ludicrous but pitiable figure in
knee.breeches and coat, large wig
all awry and his face mess of grease
paint, chung to him trembling.