Cinder Path Tales

106 CINDER-PATH TALES at the spook like a flash, and of all the " mix-ups " I ever saw, that which followed was the worst. You have seen a Punch and Judy show, and remember the wonderful struggle between Punch and the devil? Well, that between Paddy and the "ghostly hurdler" was just such another. First Paddy's black coat was uppermost, and then the spook'swhite robe, and which would have stayed there Icannot tell, for I pulled them apart before either had won out. When they got on their feet,and I had a good look at them, I gave a shout, for they were effigies sure enough. On one side was Paddy, a ragged piece of white cloth in his right hand, his left clenched and held in front of him, in case there should be a renewal of hostilities. His coat was split open in the back, also one knee of his trousers, andhis cheek was scratched as if a giant tomcat had clawed him. On the other side ofme, and facingPaddy, with a look of injury onhis pale face, was, of all men, "Two Pieces" himself. His nose was bleeding freely,where Pat's big fist had got in a blow, and he was clad only in his night-shirt, most of which had been torn off in the struggle. After recriminations, explanations, and apologies, I found that " Two Pieces" had