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A FOWiLSrPfIALING "GHOST."
A Ballarat message states: - A
"thieving ghost" has been -.prowling
through the Snake Valley district for
some nights, and residents of the lo
cality, although aware that their fowl
houses are being rdbbed, are afraid to I
venture abroasl, lest they should en
otounter the phantom, 'which is attired
in female garments. The "ghost scare"
hes greatly assisted the thief in his
nefarious operations, b-ut on Sunday
night Mr. John Ryan determined that
he would endeavour to deal with the
"spdrit." On hearing the loud quack
ing of his ducks, he sallied fortharnmed
with a stout blackthorn cudgel. Is
the centre of the farmyard he met
the ghost with a choice rooster under
his arm. "Throw up your hands,
whoever you are," cried Mr. Ryan.
This would have been a good thing
for the rooster, but instead of com
plying with the request the supposed
unearthly visitor turned tail and bol
ted. The first obstacle he encountered
was a Gft. fence, but over this he
clanmhered with a cat-like agility, fo!
lowed by Mir. Ryan. The rooster liut
tered hard to free itself from the grasp
of the hurrying "ghost," but without
avail. When the thief found that
he was being closely pressed by Mr.
Ryan, lhe stopped suddenly, and, pre
ducing a revolver, threatened to shoot
his pursuer If he proceeded any fur
ther. Seeing that the robber was
serious In his intention, AIr. .Ryesr
allowed him to escape. The matter
has been reported to the pollee, ane
Mounted Constaible Stephens Is scour
ing. the bush in search. of the thief.
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