Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-08-07
THE GOAT
AND THE
GHOSTS
BY HOMER cRoY

uulI-Cdni ueIlly uttuciieu Dlt VI
meat to the fish-hook, and
dropped the line into a pail of
water. She leaned forward, peering
down into the water In GREATNESS sus-
pense as II she expected each moment
to land the prize catch Of the season.
her Jeweled hand held the pole with
suppressed excitement. 1t was pref
ty, athletic but still girlish figure. Over
her face was heavy veil.
A crowd quickly congregated
around the girl and the bucket. The
citizens Of the sleepy little college
town Of Manchester became eager with
excitement, and packed in around the
fisherwoman. 1t lacked five minutes
Of midday; the spring sun glowed
down kindly. 1t was just the sort Of
day to set one thinking Of baited lines,
shady pools, and Of leaping fish. But
the river was three miles away, and
the nearest lake was at least ten. The
water In the pail was so clear that
the bottom could be seen quite plainly.
The bait was the only thing in the
water.
The girl jerked the bamboo pole
with the quick snap of an accom-
plished f1sherwoman. The line came
up empty. Her actions plainly showed
that 1t was keen disappointment that
the imaginary fish had escaped. She
looked critically at the bait, then
dropped the line again.
The crowd gathered In closer, but
still the fair fishergirl was apparently
as utterly by herself as If she were
in the wilds Of Canada instead of on
the main street Of Manchester, Iowa
A look Of wondering curiosity flashed
from one to another of those gath
cred, but no one had an explanation.
A fieshy man whispered over his Shout
der to a companion, do you suppose
she is-Y' He finished by tapping his
forehead.
His friend shook his head vigorously
The girl occasionally glanced at the
clock on the courthouse steeple half
a block away. When the noon hour
began peaing forth she wound up her
line, unJolnted her pole and turned
away.
An understanding smile burst over
the face of the crowd, as the people
began to take their separate ways
"A sorority initiation" said one
Don't you seer 1t is one Of their
stunts"
AS the girl started off down the
street, pleasant-faced young man
from the edge Of the crowd hurried
up and raised his hat. Il beg your
pardon" said he, "but l wish to COM
pliment you on how well you did 1t.
II was the best ever saw, and my en-
thusiasm has moved me to speak to
you"
The girl turned to him In wonder
ment, and removed her veil.
you see," the well-bullt young man
hastened on to explain, II saw your
pledge button. My sweetheart Is
member of that sorority, too. al
ready halfway feel as If knew you.
am stranger here. l have brought
a show to this town which Will open
tomorrow have trained animals,
trick ponies and the like. am col
lege fraternity man myself, but this
year am out with my little show try
ing to make enough % put me through
school next year. | have gone through
those initiation ceremonies myself, so
| can sympathlze with you"
Miss Verna Avery had merely been
carrying out one Of the Initiation de-
crees Of the college Greek letter So
ciety into which she was about to be
fully initiated. For a week now she
had been doing all kinds Of ridiculous
things, such whimsical oddities as only
college girls can think Of. The day
before she had taken her knitting and
gone to the presidents house, sat Sc
renely down in the parlor, taken the
ball OF yarn out Of the basket, and
methOdlcally set to work. The presl-
dents wife had been little Mortified
at first, but soon saw that 1t was
sorority stunt and had laughed
heartily at the joke.
The two fell into step. well, this
is rather unceremOnious," laughed Miss
Avery, but when one Is neOphyte
one does things a little bit out Of the
ordinary. But the worst Of 1t Is yet
to come. didn't mind that little ex-
hlbtlon up on the corner as much as
dread what Is to take place tonight.
have to ride the goat, as we say,
tonight for proper. / have begged the
girls to tell me something about 1t, but
they maintain that sphinx silence that
makes ones blood grow cold. Every
time | speak Of what is to take place
tonight, they SILVER and look sorry for
me. just know they will do some
thing awful to me-
"You mustn't let them frighten you
that way" solaced the young man. at
is never as bad as you expect. l re-
member that the night before | was
taken in didn't sleep a wink"
But you don't know our girls" said
Verna Avery, gaining confidence. II am
so noisy and rompety around the house
and play so many tricks on the other
girls that they are going to make up
for 1t good and strong goat night. Last
night after | had played tennis all
evening, and was as hungry as myth
illogical bear, and just as | was sitting
down to dinner they wanted me to
go dOwntown-clear down to the post
0nice-after n twO-cent stamp.
didn't g0--l was too hungry. ! am so
afraid OF what they vii do to me to.
night"