Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-07-18
PROVING IT
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BY JULIA A. ROBINSON.


Jack was not timid man; there
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. I'D.
With squared shoulders and head
erect Jack would accept the compli-
ment. No, he was not afraid of any
thing. r.
"They say there are ghosts in ele
woods back of the camp" Peter Banks
said to him one day. .->u
Ghosts? There's no such thing as
ghosts!" retorted Jack.
"Just you try going up to ghost
and feeling of itT challenged the
other. -.,
"Give me. chance and I'll do IT,"
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 90
with me to prove that 1 am not
afraid" ~
me? 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 :norgue without 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 fur into the wood, a
little farther than he had intended to
go. It was quite durk.qlJ 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. He
could not make out the form-indeed,
ne 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
q thought Of courage, Jack turned aHd
ran frantically back to the road, not
once looking behind. 1t seemed pto
him that a host of demons was pur'
suing him.
'Hello! What's up?" called a voice
in his ear, and a mocking 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 or
his face. L..
"Saw 'em, did your" he asked. "D!d
YOU feel 'em?" 5-'-E -
Jack was trembling, not at all or
his dignity. - /
"D' you believe IN ghosts, nowT
sneered Peter. "Didn't run-oh, no
Where's all your boasted Drawer!
now? Feel of 'em, did your
"Don't joke" groaned Jack. "Dlc
you see 'em? Where we're you"
"See 'em? No. Didn't ! tell you
wouldn't 20 into those woods al
night? I aln't making no boast o.
bravery. I kept safe distance.
stood right here 10 see You run. L
was good fun, I tell you, to see thu
scare In your eyes," o.
"But-really-" began Jack, SAY,
did look like ghosts. / never saw
anything so much like 'em. Do yo'
believe In them, truly?"
"Sure do. and I know you woul'
come to 1t, Y only you had the tes
and could once see EN-"
Jack was PAINTING, trying to regain
calmness, not willing to give In.
They heard voices and listened.
"There's nothing like being In th'
woods at this time Of night. 1t Il
most wonderful. 1t takes my mine
from those dreadful hospital scene
that we have to endure. 1t gives m'
nerve and courage to go back to m,
work"
"Yes," replied another voice. "Thes'