The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-08-19
THE GREEN
THAT WALKED
By John L. CONSIDlNE

Copyright, by ShOrtstory Pub. Coz
Captain" said the man on Post No.
-, I'D like to be relieved. A coupls
of weeks rest might put me right
again
What's the matter? Sick?"
"Not exactly that, captain. It's my
eyes; I've been seeing things
The captain OF the guard eyed the
man sharply
Been drinking?"
no, sir. Its not that-no pink rats
nor blue monkeys, nor anything OF
that sort. The fact is" and here he
lowered his voice to the level of a
confidential whisper, although the
nearest man was the guard on Post
No y, three-score yards away, we
been seeing the grass walk
What's that?' snapped the captain.
Its 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. l3
in dsmay. Hitherto he had regarded
this man as one of his sanest and
steadicst subordnates.
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 I thought it was the bay
breeze, rolling through the grass, but
then, reCOllected its wave was
toward the bay. Besides it seemed TO
me that this grass gust picked itself
up in a patch and moved along indie
pendent of the grass around
Does this movement always start
from the same point?'
NO; each day it begins a little
further south
Hum! \ little closer to the south
a little closer to the bay, that is. AT
any regular time?'
why, I hadn't thought of that. Yes;
let me see Yes, believe il was at
the same time each afternoon. From
haIf.past two to three say"
The captain glanced at his watch
Its 2:25 now he said. DO you
see auything?"
The guard peered long and care
fully TO the southwark.
Yes, Sir" he responded It's on
me agaiu-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 it seemed TO the
captain, a patch of green, probably
six feet in length and three in width
was making speedy progress In the
direction of the fence.
Take aim" shot from the captain
lips Can you hit it?"
The guard raised his rife, but with
shaking hands.
Let me have it," cried the other
with scornful gesture.
Steciug his nerves, the. guard fired
The grass was still.
me captain ran GOWN the SlalIS
and toward it. Regardless of possible
rcprimand, the guard followed. Ar
rived at the spot, the officer stopped tC
lift and examine, an ingenious con
lrivancc. 1t consisted of two layers OF
burlap sacking, the upper one bearded
with grass. The space between hac
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
mration undisguised this novel CARL
Of living green, the form of it's de
signcr, a man in stripes with shaver
head, lay at his feet
And beside the body, stricken Will
vain regret, knelt Guard No. IL.
"The first | ever killed he mutteret
| dumbly. May God forgive mel