Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-01-26
An Apparidon. ans
BY SOPHIA MANSFIELD.


Mr.. F., a gentleman OF veracAy' uo
ing tired Of the town, resolved to take
respite from his law-books, and indulge IN
"a few weeks Of hunting in the wild West
Agreeable to this resolution, he bade fare
well to bity life for season. II 1
Many and various were the adventures
with which he met but being brave, cool
and good marksman, he always came on
trium phantly always, did l say we'll
with tut one exception, which was as sin
gular as It was true. s6a ss8i7. saamaaG I
One day, not being as fortunate as usu-
aNin Fl, ,ding game, Mr.. F., with his
dos.s P.onto"--his sole companion wan.
deredmneh farther into the fores: than he
had yet gone, and, to add to his perplexi-
ties, he perceived that he had lost his way;
nothing d.aented, he trudged on feeling
some incon velience from hunger, as he bad
not eaten amt hing since his midday
lunch. As he walked on, however, he
became cos1scions OF an an unac-
countable depression Of spirits, the
atmosphere grew close aud murky,
and he was un usually faisued. Suddenly
Ponto came to a point. Instantly his
masters gun was ready fer aim, when, ON
looking in the ,li recrion If the g point in
stead of bird or beast, he beleld the tall
and majestic figure OF a woman, clad en-
tirely in white, and one hand extended
toward Mr.. F., as if in invitation for
him to take her hand. Astonished and
bewildered, he called, /" who's there pr
She did not answer, but remained in the
same attitude, her eyes rivitted upon him
Spite of'his efforts. he became alarmed
rapid thoughts flined d through bis brain
memory portrayed various instances he
had heard Of warnings and spiritual vista
tons he was spellbound and felt irresist-
IDLY drawn toward her. Shaking off his
fear, he loaded bis rife, and taking aim
said, if you are human, speak, or
fire y At that moment a lurid flame sho
from the earth, illumir ating all around
and he heard the clanking of chains, the
murmuring of voices, and saw black imps
fighting Amazed, he 10 gered his cum
and instantly the fame ar imps vanished
leaving him with the strange immoyabls
figure standing as before Am Tin
Is this the coinage Of a fessred brain
Death claims me, let me at least meet hin
as man should Spirit or devil, whai
would you!" he asked. Receiving no
answer, he again loaded his gun, and aim
ed at the apparition. AS t,efsre, the cart b
opened and emitted fla me-again the
wranging and angry voices and ciankipg
ofchans. :" 1t is the mouth of hell r he
exclaimed, dropping bis weapon. A ain
the fame and imps disappe ared, leaving
him alone with the unrelenting sspi rit.-
Trembling with terror, he picked up his
gun, and, notwithstanding the three pre-
vions charges, reloaded it, and sunlmoning
all his remaining, took steady aim at the
stern figure in his pathway. Once more
the flame burst forth, once more the. hor-
rid noise and black fiends wranglng with
each other. Mr.. p, however, had
determined TO discharge his gun, aud did
not change his position. The fame in
creased, and, Frightening all around, re-
vealed to his astonished gaze. The inside Of
a large blacksmith shop, and the ghost who
came to take him to the r.fernal regions
was an old tree which had been biigh,ed
with tightening. e s1nn
1t was very fortunate for Mr.. F.,
that, in bis excitement, he did not fire off
his gun, as the explosion of the four
charges would have endan gered his life, if
the apparition did not M
The PRESIDENTS FA1rH.-presiden
johnson recently received delegation of
Mi-sissippians, and said to them in con-
versation !: lgni
- If know my own heart. my highes,
and only ambition is to be an instrument
in the hands Of a higher power ia restor-
ing the government to its rigbtful condi.
tion by the speediest method consistent
with safety. / am not a ca ndidate. and
can afford to do right. OF course, in a
work of such magnitude, difficult and un-
looked for problems may arise, but we
shall find that by doing one thing at a
time, most of these knotty questions viii
solve and adjust thernse Often nv
plans disappoint me, but i have learned
to do in any politics as do in my religion
when my facts fad, rely OF my faith.
and my faith is still strc ng that all will be
we'll" i- fta
-" When are you going TO commence
the pork business p asked person of
another who had sy on his eye. isf
!" Explain yourself, sir" said the af.
fiiced gentlems,n.
Why. see that you have your s,y
quite ready" ofrtI4soA