The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1921-07-22
PROVING IT
BY JULIA a. ROBINSON.
Q BY Mcclure Newspaper sxnd,c.tel

JACK was not timid man: there
was nothing cowardly about him. In
deed, ne 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 a.
ghosts !" retorted Jack.
Just you try going up to a ghost
and feeling Of It'll" challenged the
other.
Give me chance and I'll do L."
invited Jack.
II dare you to 60 into those woods
tonight at midnight! !" cried Peter.
II accept your challenge" calmly
replied Jack, II only ask that you go
with me to prove that am not
afraid."
Mel Not on your life!
About midnight Jack could stand II
no longer. He left the camp and
started out toward the wood. He
passed the morgue without q thought.
He had often passed it 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, Q
little farther than he had intended to
go. 1t 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 forln-indeed.
he did not try. 1t 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
still. Every nerve quivered. He could
not think. All sense seemed to have
left him and all 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. It seemed to
him that a host of demons was pur-
suing him.
"Helloi What's up?" called voice
in his ear, end 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 ne as,kad. "Did
you feel 'em?"
Jack was trembling, not at all on
his dignity.
ID you believe in ghosts. nowr'
sneered Peter. .Ddn't run-ch, not
Where's all your boosted bravery
nows Feel of 'em. did your
"Don't Joke" groaned Jack. ibid
you see 'em? Where were your
"See EN-? No. Didn't tell you I
wouldn't so into those woods at
night? amt making no boast Of
bravery. kept safe distance. I
stood right here to see you run. II
was good fun, tell you. to see the
scare in your eyes"
"But-really-" began Jack. ''say, II
did look like ghosts. never saw
anything SO much like 'em. Do you
believe in them, truly7"
"Sure do. and I know you would
come to It. II only you had the test
and could once see EN-"
Jack was painting. trying to regain
calmness. not willing to give ill.
They heard voices and listened.
THERE'S nothing like being in the
woods at this time Of night. 1t is
most wonderful. 1t takes my mind
from those dreadful hospital scenes
that we have to endure. 1t gives me
nerve and courage to 60 back to my
work."
eyes," replied another voice. .sThese
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
pitnl, 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 upf" asked. Jack. do you
cay there are ghosts now?"
Eyes, give up" answered Peter.
"say, was this put-up job. Petei
Did you know about those nurses and
their nightly walks?''
Pom my word. not l, not a word Y"
affirmed Peter. 81 honestly thought
there were ghosts. and thought you'd
and It out. That's why came oft
here to see you scared. but l wouldn't
have gone into those woods on your
life Do you give up and confess you
were afraid for once9"
Eyes. give IN to the accusation"
nobly acknowledged Jack. II confess
my knees did shake and I didn't know
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