Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-05-04
PROVING 1T
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON.
l9 b. Mcclure Newspaper syndieats.l

was nothing cOwardly about him. In
deed, he was considered brave by his
associates. though they sometimes
thought he liked to boast of his cOur-
age.
Nothing can scare Jack" they were
in the habit OF saying.
With squared shoulders and head
erect Jack would accept the compli-
ment. No. he was not afraid OF any
thing.
They say there are ghosts in the
woods back Of the camp" Peter Banks
said to him one day.
Ghosts? There's no such thing as
ghOstsT retorted Jack.
"Just you try going up TO a ghost
and feeling of itr challenged the
other
"Give me a chance and I'll do it,
invited Jack.
II dare you to go into those woods
tonight at midnight" cried Peter.
Il accept your challenge" calmly
replied Jack, Il only ask that you go
with me to prove that 1 am not
afraid"
NE? Not on your lifei
About midnight Jack could stand IL
no longer. He left the camp and
started out toward the wood. BE
passed the morgue without a thought
He had often passed IL at night. He
walked along boldly, head erect. and
wished the fellows could see him now
and note how brave he was.
He wandered far into the wood. a
little farther than he had intended TO
90. II was quite dark. Even the
stars were obscured from sight. All
was STILL
Suddenly, without a word, a white
figure appeared. not many yards away,
how near, Jack never could tell. He
could not make out the fOrm-indeed.
he did not try. IL seemed a swayirg
mass I'm white. Then another arose
out Of the darkness and they appeared
TO float toward him.
Fer about three seconds Jack stood
still. Every nerve quivered- BE could
not think. All sense seemed TO have
left him and ell power OF thought.
Then. forgetting bravery. with not
a thought OF courage. Jack turned and
ran frantically back to the road, not
once looking behind. II seemed TO
him that a host of demons was pur-
suing him.
"Henol What's up?" called a voice
in his ear, and a hooking laugh
sounded.
Jack pulled up quick and stared
He quivered. but his senses were com
ing back TO him. There stood Peter
in the middle Of the road. a grin on
his face.
"Saw 'em. did your" he asked "Did
you feel 'emT
Jack was trembling. not at all on
his dignity.
'D' you believe in ghosts, nOw7'
sneered Peter. didn't run-Oh, mol
where's all your boosted bravery
now? Feel Of 'em, did your"
Don't Joke" groaned Jack. 'Did
YOU see 'em? Where were your
"See EN-? No. Didn't I tell you 1
wouldn't 60 into those woods at
night? amt Making no boast or
bravery. l kept a safe distance. L
stood right here to see you run IL
was good fun. tell you, 10 see the
scare in your eyes"
'But-really-" began Jack. SAY, IL
did look like ghosts. neser saw
anything so much Ike 'em. Do you
believe in them, truly7'
"Sure / do. and know yOu would
come to II, II only you had the test
and could once see EN-"
Jack was painting. trying 10 regain
calmness, not willing to give in
They heard voices and listened.
There's nothing like being In the
WoOds at this time OF night. IL is
most wonderful II takes my mind
from those dreadful hospital scenes
that we have to endure. II gives me
nerve and courage TO go back TO my
work"
"Yes," replied another voice. These
nightly walks In the free woods give
me courage and strength. There's
nothing like contact with nature TO
make one brave TO meet the hard
duties of life"
Two night nurses passed them and
entered the front door OF the hos
pital, just across the way. They
were dressed In white. flowing gar
ments.
The two men standing there looked
into each others faces and laughed.
'Give upT' asked Jack. do you
say there are ghosts nOwF'
'Yes. l give up" answered Peter.
"Say. was this a put-up job. Peter
Did you know about those nurses and
their nightly walks"
"'POn my wOrd. not !. not a word 7"
affirmed Peter. II honestly thought
there were ghosts. and thought you'd
find II out That's why l came out
here 10 see you scared. but | wouldn't
have gone into those woods on your
life. Do you give up and confess YOU
were afraid for onceF"
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