Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-09-10
led BY nv slde was sentlent and

Jed by my side I was sentient and
content.
1t was not noise that attracted
my attention. 1t must have been the
sensation of being stared at. turned
my head toward the wall to the north.
In line with the bench on which we
sat, and just topping the wall, was
the head of the Spanish sailor.
He and / looked at each other for
what seemed to be at least a moment.
His earrings glittered. His gaze was
steady and both inquiring and pur-
poseful. Even in inquiry 1t seemed
malignant, with the malice which
comes from a sense Of injury.
1 felt a decidedly unpleasant shock
with the creeps which come from a
good ghost story. If he had appeared
suddenly at full length somewhere in
the garden, walking about, it would
have been different. But just his
head appearing above the wall. and
he perfectly unexpected, unexplained,
motionless and lnquiring-it gave you
the shivers of child frightened at
night in the nursery.
"You're poor company" said Jed,
''but I am. too, and have to go to
Mr.. Sidney"
seemed not to hear him. 1t was
not intended to rebuff him; was held
by tie Spaniard's eyes. Jed went in
to a huff and said: "Oh, go to the
devil"
Then he also turned and saw the
l'head above the wall.
He arose and stood looking at the
Spaniar | as intently as the Spanlard
was looking at him. This situation
lasted a full minute, without q move
ment or word from one of us. Then
the Spaniards face, craven in lines
/ of malevolent purpose. softened into a
smile which expressed satisfaction
with prospects. And then the head
disappeared suddenly. 1 was in doubt
whether the mans feet had gone out
1 from under him, or whether he had
jumped.
In disappearing he left the place
where he had been, charged with the
mystery which his presence had in
dlcated. His disappearance intensi
1 fed thickened, the atmosphere which
his presence had created. While his
head was above the wall, the sensa.
ton was one of nervous astonishment
When his head disappeared, the sug
gestion of terror was added. SO long
I as we saw him, it was something un.
explained but embodied; when he
J dropped out of sight, it was as If 9
person going down a hall in his house
by candleligllt at night were to come
upon a startling sight, and-at the
moment when his perceptions and rea.
son were struggling to explain the OBJ
ject and its presence and to sustain
his courage-the candleIight should
go out IN a gust of wind and leave
him blind. facing a thing he had moi
explained and now could no longer
see. Then. with cause, may the hair:
crowning even O head with a thinkins
brain arise in sheer fright. The per
sons plight is that of black igno
rance, in which superstition and child
ish fears ascend and dominate.
Jed took a step forward as If IL
pursuit, but stopped with that on,
movement. 1t broke the situation
down and made it possible for me II
return TO animation. Seemingly m.
powers of movement and speech haC
been suspended. looked at Jed, VIII,
was as pitifully frightened as a chile
in the dark. He made every demon
stration of fright except wailing. Thel
he braced himself. recovered his cour
age and without saying anything wen
into the house to join Mr.. Sidney.