The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-01-24

keeping Just such n distance IN the rear; out
the courage which had momentarily fOrSiken
him soon returned-his curiosity was excited.
IL il was indeed the ghost Of his dead parent,
why run from il? II the object OF his noe
turnal visitor was to terriiy him, he could
have done il with far less trouble to himself,
and no possible chance of exposure at any
rate. he would confront his unwelcOmc cOur
panion, whether friend or foe; and with this
determination he reIned in his horse, wheeled
suddenly around, and with a bold lace and
rcsolutc bearing demanded who he was ana
why he sought himy
The spectre seemed taken by surprise at
this unexpected movement.
II am Geryase Elton, your father, ne re-
Piled, in the same hollow tones, as nc niaue
a halt, and stationed himself ashort distance
from Harry. beneath the spreading branches
OF a majestic oak, where the pale hSnt ~
the moon eould not fall upon h's lace. 'on,
Harry my son Harry my Youngest oOri
the spirit Of your father isgrie'ed ana 'Iouo
led il cannot rrst in the grave 30 io'S "S
there Is strife and contention about ,nS PCoi
insignificant heaps of gold he mas lei' UelinI
him. Gold, gold, il IS the root OF ail S'h
II divides the hearts OF fathers ana ino'ners'
brothers and sisters; IL drass down the Dody
IA the grave, and sinks the soul IN perditlon.
oh. Harry! the soul OF your father cannot
rrst quiet till peace and harmony are restored
10 his family. Let my will be executed as
II is written; let all quarrelings and bicker.
inrs cease, otherwise my angry spirit shall
harass and torment all who refuse to obey
my commands.
With these words, an imperative shake OF
the head, and defiant gesture, the spectre
touched the reius of his horse, and was soon
lost from view in the shadows OF night.
Harry sat as IL petri6ed, gazing into the
midnight darkness long after the vision had
disappeared. Ills dress, his silyery locks,
every look and gesture were 50 exactly like
his fathers! He remembered the concluding
clause of the will. Could it be that it was
indeed genuine and legal, and that the dis
tressed spirit OF his father was indeed wan
deriny Ia haunt and harlss, us 1t had threat
ened, ali who refused to obey the mandates
of his will?
Ii was a late hour that night when Harry
arrived within sight Of the old homestead,
his paternal mansion. a full bright light
glarcd from the sitting-rOOm. What did it
mean? Had any thing unusual occurred?
The family OF Eltons were notorious for keep
ing early hours. 10 20 to bed with the
chickens had been tho old miser's motto
Since his death, however, the hour for retir-
ing had been changed but even now ten was
the latest hour lamp was allowed To burn.
Anxious and curious to ascertain the cause
OF ~ uncommon deviation from the estab-
lished custom, Harry slightly shook the rcins
of his horse, and cantered briskly up the
yard. Hastily dismounting, he attempted to
open the door, but it was locked. Lis then
knocked and called loudly Tor admission, but
all was still and silent Us IL the whole house
hold were wrapped in profound slumber. At
last window was opened cautiously aud
noiselessly over his head, and the pale, terri
fled face OF Mrs. Elton appeared.
oh, larry she fsltered out, in low,
trcmulous tones, rs her eyes fell upon her
son, Il am 50 rejoiced To see you! We have
been so frightened tonight; do believe the
house is haunted. We have heard nppings,
whispering, the stamping and trampinS oil
feet
Did YOU SEQ any oneT interrupted Harry.
yes replied his mother, in a somewhat
calmer tone. Il was sitting by the window,
when suddenly heard tramping and rap |
Ming overhead, and voice called, Look out
OF the window, Maryland Harry, as sure
as Im living woman, there stood the figure
of your father, dressed in his common gray |
coat, with his broad .brimmed hat on, and
his white hair dangling down beneath It
and he looked pale, and sad, and mourniul,
and leaned heavily ON his brIss-headed cane
Tor support. Ii was no phantom OF the inn
asinatiOn, Harry. II my eyes are old, they
do not deceive me in that way
What did no ayy inquired Harry, ca |
gcrly-lOr the thought had crossed his mind
that his mothers ghOstly visitor and his own
travelling companion OF the evening were one
and the same.
MARY said he. in low, solemn tones, my
soul is disturbed; my property is sowing the
seeds of discOrl and discussion in my family,
and have assumed once more bodily shape
to visit my earthly habitatlOn, and entrcat
my sons to execute my will in the manner It
is written. speak from the spirit world.
If peace and good will prevail, shall 80
hack TO my last restinS-pl and remain un'
disturbed till the day Ot the resurrection (;
otherwise will torment and harlss them Us
long as the breath of life remains.
There - exclaimed Harry, as his mother
concluded, this il the first clue have been
able TO obtain to the mystery connected with
that will. am convinced by this circum-
stance that number Of villains are deeply
intriguing against US but Ill silt the mat,
ter TO Its very foundations. Ill ferret out
the scanps who have had recourse toghOstly
rappings and rubbish to accomplish their
ends. and they shall not 50 UNPUBLISHED Of
Justice
Where are You going? asked his mother,
Us Harry tOOS the lamp and was leaving the
room with hasty strides.
up stairs, replied Harry : 'up TO the old
oak chest to see ii the clothes are gone.
1t was as Harry had surmised; the chest
had been opened and nnsicked; every arti-
Gle Of wearing apparel belonging to his faith
or was gone coat, hat, shoes, cane, all had
been taken and the chest was entirely empty.
That night sleep refused TO visit tho eyelids
Of Harry Elton they remained as wide open
al IL they had been fastened. Ills mind was
filed with all sorts Of surmises and conjec-
lures. The events ofthe evening, 50 far from
intimidating him into submission TO the loss |
of his lawful rights, made him the more de- |
termined 10 yindicate them, and to carry the
will into court. lie remembered perfectly
we'll that in his last interview with Dixon,
before going to York, he had threatened him
strongly. and saw ut u glance that the willy
LAWYER was exceedingly ayerse to having a
legal Investigation made OF the matter.
"a -. H., hatfar aid nixnn in