The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1921-05-26
PROVING IT
-
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON.

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 tie habit Of saying.
With squared shoulders and head
erect Jack would accept the compli-
ment No, he was not afrabl Of any
thing.
"They say there are ghosts In the
woods back of the camp" Peter Banks
said to linn one day.
Ghosts? There's no such thing as
ghosts !" retortcd Jack.
Just you try going up to ghost
aud feeling Of it," challenged the
other.
Give me a chance and I'll do it,"
invited Jack.
81 dare you to go into those woods
tonight at midnight u cried Peter.
II accept your challenge" calmly
replied Jack, 81 only ask that you go
with me TO prove that am not
afraid"
"Mef Not on your lifel
About midnight Jack could stand II
no longer. Gle left the camp and
started out toward the wood. He
passed the norgue without thought.
Tie had often passed 1t at night. He
walked along boldly, head erect. and
wished the fellows could see him now
and note how brave he was.
lie wandered far into the wood,
little farther than he had intended to
20. II was quite dark. Even the
stars were obscured from sight. All
was still.
Suddenly, without word. white
figure appeared not many yards away,
how near, Jack never could tell. lie
could not make out the form--lDdeed,
he did not try. II seemed a swaying
mass In white. Then another arose
/ out Of the darkness and they appeared
to float toward him.
For about three seconds Jack stood
stlll. Every nerve quIyered He could
not think. All sense seemed to have
left him and all power Of thought.
Then, forgetting bravery, with net
thought of courage, Jack turned and
ran frantically hack Ia the road, not
once looking behind. II seemed to
him that host Of demons was pur-
suing him.
"Hello! What's up7" called voice
IN his ear, and hooking laugh
sounded.
Jack pulled up quick and stared
lie quivered, hut his senses were com
ing back 80 him. There stood Peter
In the middle OF the road. grin on
his face.
"saw 'em, did your" he asked. "Dld
you feel emp
Jack was trembling not at all on
his dignity.
~ you believe In ghosts. now7"
snccrcd Peter "Didn't run--oh no
Where's all your bOasted bravery
now Feel OF 'em did youT"
Don't joke" croaned JACK. did
you see 'em? Where were your"
"See EN-? No. Didn't I tell You I
wouldn't go into those woods at
night? amt making no boast of
bravery I kept n safe distance.
| stood right here 10 see you run. II
was good fun. | tell you, TO see the
scare In your eyes"
"But-roally-" began Jack. SAY, II
did look like ghosts. never saw
anything SO much Ike 'em. DO Won
believe In them truH?"
"Sure do, and know you would
come 10 II, II only you had the test
| and could once see EN-"
Jack was painting, trying To regain
caImness, not willing Ia. give In.
They heard voices and listened.
There's nothing like being In the
woods at this time OF night. II 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
piml, Just across the way. They
were dressed in white, flowing gar
ments.
The two men standing there looked
into each others faces aud laughed.
give upT' asked Jack. do You
say there are ghosts nowT'
Eyes, | give up" answered Peter.
"Say was this put.up Job, Peter
Did you know about those nurses and
their nightly walksi'
"'rOn my word. not |, not word -
affirmed Peter, Il honestly thought
there were ghosts, and thought you'd
find II out. That's why | came Oui
here ia see YOU scared, but | wouldn't
have gone into those woods on your
life. DO you give up and confess you
were afraid for once?'
Eyes, give In to the accusation