Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-12-30
MISCELLANY.
The story Heard In the SmOking-Roem.
IFrom London Society,"

The Story Heard In the SmOking-Roem-
IFrom London Society,"
We were staying a party at Thornton
Court, at the beginning OF the pleas
ant-shooting season. when / heard an
account of an optical delnsioE, which IS
of such u novel character that can hard
" suppose 1t will not be Interesting TO
many people. The ladies had gone, or
at least were supposed to have gone, to
bed: for have often; on my way back
from the smoking room, az an hour
when all but few confirmed lovers of
the weed are believed to be asleep in a
country house, heard through the doors,
which communicate between some OF
the young ladies' rooms and the cOrrl-
dor, sounds of voices and OF laughter,
which hardly can imagine proceeded
from sleeping occupants, and which
have led me to believe that the vague
stories we hear OF little chats by MEM
bers of the fairer sex over their bedroom
fires are not altogether unfounded.
At any rate every one had lett the
drawing-rooms one by one, smokes IN
every variety aud every color of smo-
king-iaeket and of dressing gown, had
dropped into the before
sanctuary of tobacco, where, under
sporting pictures and one or two foxes
brushes, and shut off from the rest of
the house by double baiZe doors, we
formed party of about half dozen
round the cheerful fire which the chilly
days of early October rendered quite
acceptable. After all the members of
the social community were supplied
with cigars and large glasses, which
contained, various compounds of effer-
vescing wat rs, aud had settled into
their chairs, we chartered over the
pheasants. the prospects of hunting,
the merits of some well-knOwn race
horses, and such other subjects as form
the staple of conversation on similar
occasions. Somehow all other CONVEX
sation turned upon ghosts and spirit
uaIism. All discussed the subject except
the usually conversational Col. HCugL-
ton, who silently pulled away at a large
cigar and gazed steadfasily into the fire.
''Come, Houghton." at last said
Random, our host, ''what is your Opin-
ion ON the subject ?"
81 certainly have not the least belief
in ghosts, but a most curious case once
occurred to myself, for which l have
never been-able TO account, was the
"Oh. let us hear it by all means"
cried several, charmed with the idea of
getting Houghton, who was rather
skeptical in most matters, to tell ghost
story.
Il have never told it, but think
that now can do SO, as, by giving
other than the real names of the men L
fancied saw after their deaths, no one
will be able to tell who they were, " was
the reply. tf
Several new cigars were lighted, some
glasses were replenished, and we dis
posed ourselves to listen, when Colonel
HOGgh on, looking very grave, and
with an expression have never before
seen on ms face, began his tale:
ST must tell you that my adventure
occurred In a country, which / think Is
the last place on earth where one would
have .ezeeeted TO encounter anything
MYSTERIOUS or unnatural; for IL was In
China, the country of ideal dizziness
and practically, that L witnessed the
phenomenon I have hitherto been
unable to account for satisfactorily.
In order To understand the whole case,
/ must begin at a mnch earlier period
OF my life than that at which the
circumstances L am about to relate
occurred.
''When was about sixteen years old,
and at school at Eton, was seized
with a most ardent desire to enter the
army and in frequent letters implOred
my father to let me leave Elton and go
to private tutors, where i might
undergo a special preparation for the
military profession. Ny father for a
long time opposed the idea, as he
wished me to go to the bar; and as L
was not an Over-diligent boy, imagined
that IN the army j should do anything
except smoke and run into debt. At
last my opportunities led him to consent
TO a compromise, and / was removed
IRON Elton, but not to military tutors;
] was sent to clergyman in the west of
England. who received a very limited
number of pupils, and who was to teach
me thoroughly such subjects as would
Mt me for the army, in case remained
ste. fast TO my wishes, or which might
otherTiEe be useful ina civil career.
When / arrived at DIR. Warnborough's
found there only two pupils, one
named Charles Granger. and the other
left soon after I joined; Granger and1
IN short time became warm friends;
We rode together, boated together, and
Tor eighteen months we're almost inser-
. arabic. DIR. Marlborough and his wife
were most kind good hearted couple
: and made rs most comfortable in every
way, and attention, ] am afraid, we did
hotIalways reciprocate. for we were
rather wild and foolish, although /
must do Charles the justice to say that
u all scrapes 1 was the leader and the