The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-04-13
The Woman in Grey.
A CRINIEAN EPISODE.
BY LASCELL LES RAXALL.

The barren plateau, on which the allied
armies were encamped before Sevastopol
was naturally suggestive of many supersti-
tious fancies among the troops. The out
lying sentinel, with his eye at the uttermost
ing spy, eventually saw imaginary forms
around him, and the darkness became peo-
pied with the denizens of another world.
Many stories of ghostly manifestations
were current, very few of them possessing
any. other foundation than the imaginary
fancy of the creduous soldier; but there
are one or two authenticated stories of ghosts,
one of which l will tell here, as l heard it
from the lips of an officer of an Irish regi-
ment who was cOnversalt with all the de,
tails.
A soldier, on being relieved from guard
one winters night, swore stoutly that he had
been haunted during the whole period Of
duty, by woman in grey, who made sig
mails to him. which he, good Catholic as he
was, declined to follow. He was laughed
at but when the sentry on duty the next
night told the same story, the most incredu-
lous began to believe. When a week had
passed away, aud each night the same oc>
currence happened, the argument was so in
fected with alarm, that the captain of the
day thought it high time to interfere. For
this purpose he summoned to his counsels
one Patrick Leary, Color Sergeant, who
was popularity supposed to fear neither man
nor devil. The Captain lent the non-com.
missioned revolver, bidding him fire if he
found it absolutely necessary, but to do his
best to capture the woman alive. Mr.. Pat
took hearty drain of rum and went on
sentry-go much to the relief of the mer
warned for that nights duty.
1t was a dark misty night when Pat com
menced his duty round, and it was enough
to make any man feel uncomfortable. The
gallant Pat, however, so long as the effect
of the rum lasted, whistled the "Night or
which Larry was stretched" soto voce
stamped his feet to restore the chilled circu.
lation. Somehow or another though, ht
began to grow very lonely, and almost
wished that the ghost would come, if only
to bear him company. His wishes were
soon fulfilled. for hearing slight sound, anl
raising bis rifle to his shoulder, he saw 6
dusky form gibbering at him in the distance
Pat began rooping and moving in reply
and the woman, apparently encouraged by
this, drew nearer. Pat laid his frelock or
the ground, as if to encourage the other, bu
placed his hand carefully on his revolver
There was nothing like being prepared, but
if it were a woman-the thought fairly
turned the honest Sergeant's mind. Err
long, the figure approached so near that Pa
was enabled to challenge
"Who goes there 2"
"a friend the stranger replied, in {
musical, though foreign voice.
"Advance, friend, and give the counter
sign," the Sergeant mechanically said.
Just as the figure approached Pat, th,
moon broke out from behind a cloud, ant
enabled him to see the woman's features
The most astonishing thing was the immens,
grey beard the figure wore. Pat, as 6
traveller, was accustomed to strange sights
but this surpassed all. In second, though
the truth flashed upon him, and he mad,
ready for action.
"Come here my darlint," Pat said, artful