Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-06-25

the working spook may be there to admit
u.s." laughed Arthur.
With guns over shoulders, the boys ap-
preached the kitchen door and bravely
knocked three times But, receiving no
response, they tried it. 1t opened
without effort. They stepped into a large
room with fireplace in one end. And
strangest thing of ALA pile OF freshly
cut wood lay beside the fireplace. The
moon shed light through the open door
and enabled the boys to examine their sur
roundings Someone living here, sure"
they both said. Then an idea came to
Bert Suppose we hide away some place
out in the bushes beside the garden-and
watch. Whoever comes must enter by
this kitchen door. And there's no one at
home now; at least no one comes to re-
ceive us with true southern hospitality"
Soon the boys had closed the door be-
hind them and were hidden in the bushes
near to the garden. They found plenty OF
dry grass and leaves on which to sit and
decided to eat their corn pone and roasted
spareribs while waiting.
Strange hants one finds" smiled
Bert. He spoke in q whisper.
1--WE must keep as still as MICE" warned
Arthur, also in a whisper.
Then they ate in silence. their ears
strained to catch any sound Of approaching
hants."
Presently, about o'clock, to the best
of the boys idea of time, a sound Of
rustling dead grass and scattering leaves
was heard coming from the timber line
back of the stables! The boys crouched
low and became part of the shadows OF
the trees and bushes, Presently there
came into view a tall man, gun over his
shoulder and strings of squirrels and birds
in HIS hands. He walked assurtngly, as
though fearing nothing, and approached
the house. He entered the kitchen and left
the door open behind him. After lighting
a candle he closed the door, but Bert ana
Arthur could see him passing to and fro
across the window. Doesn't look very
spooky," whispered Bert
quite human" replied Arthur Shall
we creep up and peep in through the win
dow?" But before his cousin could reply
the door opened and the old fellow came
out, walking toward the very spot where
they crouched. For a moment both boys
felt that they were discovered and were
a wee bit shaky over the outcome. But
the man strobe past them, entered his
garden, squatted down and began pulling
pea pods from the vines He placed them
in his battered old felt hat.
After having gathered as many peas as
he wanted, the old "spook pulled up
some onions and gathered other vegetables.
Then he returned TO the house. After
half an hour the boys decided TO come
out and take a peep. He lives by night
and sleeps by day" whispered Arthur.
They stole 10 the window and looked
within. There was now a blazing fire in
the fireplace, and before It, roasting on
piece OF smoked plank, we're two squirrels
and two birds, and over the fire boiled a
pot. The man was mixing some coarse
cornmeal with water and salt and soon
ne had 1t patted into cakes and placed
beside the roasting meat on the board in
front OF the fire.
Hes the sort of spook that likes to
eat" whispered Bert.
Then the boys, having determined TO find
out whether the creature they beheld were
really human or ghost. made bold 10 step
right up to the door and without knock
ing entered. At first the old man was 30
astonished at their appearance that he
could not rise or speak. but sat staring at
them.
Were hunters from Blank county, in
formed Bert. advancing towards the old
man, "and we've got lost in these woods
Seeing your house. We have made bold TO
enter and ask for nights lodging"
Are you telling me the TRUTH asked
the old man. now recovering himself II