Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-05-22
"And the phantom said to the m,cling sneer,


"And the phantom said to the m1c,ing sneer,
came from the south
Put thy hand ON my hand--thy hcnrt on my heart
Thy mouth on my mouth :"
"What do you see z"
"lie comeS-he apprenticeship pursues
me he is streaching out his arnis-he
will have me! Help! help! Save me ="
"hre you afraid 'now?'" asked the mer-
chant in mockng voice.
A piercing cry, and then a stihed groan,
were the only answer Of the terrible ques-
| ton: .., ........ .........
"Help that rash youth - said the mer-
chant bitterly. 81 have, ] think, won the
wager; but il is sufficient for me TO have
given him a lesson. Let him keep his
money for the iuture.''
He walked rapidly away. We opened
the door of the Summpr-housp. and found
the student in convulSions. a paper signed
with the name "Francis Villiers," was found
on the table. .. ....
As soon as the Students senses were re-
stored, he asked vehementIy where was the
vile sorcerer who had subjected him TO such
a horrible ordeal-hr would kill him He
sought himthroughout the inn in vain then,
with the speed of a madman, he dashed
( across the fields in pursuit OF him-and we
never saw either of them again. That,
children, is my Ghost Story
"And how is it Uncle, that after fhat,'
vou don't believe in ghosts :" said /, the
| first time heard it.
"Becausp, my hov," replied my Uncle,
"neither the student nor the merchant ever
returned; and the torty-Gve guineas, be-
/ longing to me and the other traveller, con-
| tinurd equally invisible. Those two swim
ders carried them of, after having acted
farce, which we, like ninnies, believed to
be real"
QUEER MODE OF GETTING 4 WIFE
One little act OF politeness will some
times pave the way to fortune and prefer
ment. The following sketch illustrates
the fact
a sailor, roughly garbed, was saunterng
through the streets of New ORLEANS, then
IN a rather damp condition, from recent
rain and the rise of the tide. Turning the
corner Of a much lrequented and narrow
alley, he observed Young lady standing
in perpleXity, apparently measuring the
depth OF the muddy water between her aud
the opposite sidewalk, with no very salts
! fled CountenanCe.
The sailor paused-for he was great
admirer Of beauIy--(and certainly the face
/ that peeped out from under the little chip
hat, and the auburn curls hanging glossy
and unconfined, over her muslin dress,
might tempt curious or an admiring
gIance.) PerpeXed, the lady put forth one
! little foot, when the gallant sailor, with
characteristic impulsiveness, exclaimed -
"That little foot, lady, should not be soiled
with the filth of this lane Wait for mo-
ment, and ] will make YOU path"
So, sprinCing past her into a carpenters
shop opposite, he bargained for a plank
which stood in the doorway, and, coming
back TO the smiling girl, who was Just CO.
| quettiSh enough TO accept the services of
the handsome sailor, he bridged the narrow
stream, and she tripped across with merry
"Thank you," and a roguSh smile, making
her eyes as dazzling as they could be-.
Alas our young sailor was perfectly
charmed. What else could make him
catch up and shoulder the p'ank, and fol-
low the little witch to her home, she twice
performing the ceremony of "walking the
plank" and each time thanking him with
one Of her eloquent smiles Presently, our
hero saw the young lady trip up the mar
bic steps OF palace of house, and dsap-
pear within IFS rosewood entrance for
full minute he stood looking at the door,
and then, with a wonderful big sigh, turn
ed away, disposed of his drawbridge, and
wended his path back TO the ship.
The next day he was astonished with an
order OF promotion from the captain. Poor
Jack was speechless with amazement. He
had not dreamed OF being exalted to the
dignity Of a second mates Office on board
one OF the most splendid vessels that sailed
out of the port of New Orleans He knew
he was competent, for instead of spending
his money in visiting theatres and bowling
alleys, he had purchased books and become
quite a student; but he expected years to
Intervene before his ambitious hopes could
be realized
His superior officers seemed to look upon
him with considerable leniency, aud gave
him many fair opportunity to gather
maritime knowledge and in a year the
handsome, gentlemanly young mate, ac.
quired unusual favor in the eyes of the
Portly commander, Captain Hume, who
had first taken the smalt little black eyed
fellow, with his tarpauin and tidy bundle
as his cabin boy.
One night the young man, with all the
other officers, were invited to an entertain.
ment at the captains house. He went
and to his astonishment mounted the identi
cal steps that two years before the brightes
vision he had ever seen pass over-a vision
he had never forgotten. Thump, thump
went his brave heart, as he was usherec
into the great paror, and like sledge-ham.
mer it beat again, when Captain Hume
brought forward his blue eyed daughter
) and with pleasant smile, said '.
"The young lady once Indebted to your
politeness for safe and dry walk home.'
1t was onl year from that time thai
the second mate trod the quarter deck, par
owner with the captain, not only OF his yes
sci, but in the adectionlof his daughter
gentle Grace Hume, who had cherished
5 respect, to say nothing of love, for the
) bright eyed sailor. .-,....rr.g r