Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-10-21

of the man who was to frightened out of
his money by goblins appeared at the
aperture in the trunk of the tree. See
ing the coast clear, Raggarty drew him
self up and leaped nimbly to the ground.
Saints in hivenr exclaimed he, 'here's
the care of riches Tn not one of the
gintry two hours before I'm beset by
thaves and blageards, and am the names
of two of my fellow-craters running their
heads into haters if I'd let 'em Thrust
me, though, I'll be quits wid them two
raseals, who think to frighten me out my
fortin' with an old shate
AS he neared the village, he called on
the ironmonger and made purchase
That night he lodged all his money with
his wife, who was staying with a friend,
(they had lots of friends now } and the
greater part of the following day was
busy in shed adjoining his cabin.
The night set in dark and stormy
Violent gusts Of wind wrenched at the
straw thatch, and came grumbling down
the chimney because they could not car
ry it off. The latch ratified, the rain
pattered in the fire till it Kissed again,
live embers scampered about the brick
floor, and the boards forming the old pig
sty in the rear creaked and squeaked as
though the spirits of every pig ever pos
sessed by Michael were this night hold
ing revel there. Yet Mr.. Raggarty sat
in the corner, placid and serene, smoking
his pipe and enjoying it.
About half-past eleven o'clock he turn
ed into bed, taking care to see that the
door was unbolted. Just as the church
/ clock chimed midnight he had the salts
e faction to hear first the outer door and
then the door that parted the living from
4 the sleeping room gently open. So he
shifted his position and lay with his bach
? to the ghos. whom he heard solemnly
] stalking across the room.
AT last it came TO the bedside, and lay.
ing one cold hand on the face of tht
t sleeper, pronounced his name.
Michael started up in the bed at once
u and there stood the appalling sight =
u There was Tim Shaw, with his wife
81 nightcap tied over his face with two lit
tie holes torn in the crown to admit o
+ his seeing, and an old white quilt role,
e around him!
At sight of the shocking bad ghost
Raggarty was glad TO dive beneath tn
) bedclothes, and stuff the blanket into hi
mouth, to save him hom laughing out
right and spelling the joke. Statistic
with the effect his appearance had pro
=, duced, the ghost proceeded.
! 'Misther Raggarty,' it said, I'm IN
= me sister Margaret's brother, come fror
! me cold grave to demand me rights ?
+ 'Sphare me, misther sperret, plaz
% do" roared Michael, from under tn
II bed-clothes, take what ye will, but Law
,r me in peace for the love of marcy
.. where's the two hunthred pound
l. me sister wrangfully left ye ? inquire
n the ghost in an awful voice.
N In the clubhouse at the back replie
: Raggarty, in nearly inarticuIate voic,
down at the left hand corner, and undo
, a little heap Of bricks ?
i, The ghost waited to hear no more, br
:. at once hastened TO the spot Indicated
Raggarty sat up in the bed momen
and listened. He heard sharp clio
~ and then a sharp cry, and then he la
down again and slept till day light.
if His first job in the morning was
We visit the clubhouse, where be found Il
p crestfallen and penitent Shaw, with h
by leg in a man trap. After giving him
to lecture, and shilling to get his childr,
~ some breakfast, Shaw was allowed to d
= part, taking with him this advice:
W. 'Whin next you brew a plot benea
ou tree, me boy, jis tap the thrunk, to
eft sure that it is not hoIlowp