Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-12-07
SELECTED MISCELLANY.
The lost will Or ray Un-
Cie's Ghost.

Gle = sAnOSts
The scenes I am about to describe oc-
Cured about the year 1860 to a respect
able family 10y the name Of CulvertOn,
IN Orange county, New York.
The CulveTtOn's lived IN the old fam
ilv mansion aud enjoyed the revenues
OF the old family estate for many years,
without the slightest dOubt that they
had a right to it, when suddenly there
started up from goodness knows where,
an individual who laid claim to the
property, and seemed likely to prove
the claim to all but the Culverton's
themselves.
It was certain, Jabez Hardy was the
nearest relative, aud certain that Mrs.
CulyertOn was only a grand niece of
Hiram Hardy, deceased {; but the Gull
vertOn's had lived with the old man
for years, ard he had promised
time and time again, to leave them
everything He had even declared that
his will vas made IN their favor; and
that such document was actually IN
existence. Mr.. CulvertOn could not
doubt; but diligent search had been
made IN vain; Jabez Hardy, whom
the old man never saw, was to take
place of people he loved so fondly, and
who had been his comfort in his last
hours.
ut was a shamer' said every one.
A ''cruel wicked thingm sobbed Mrs.
Cuiverton.
And MIR. CulveTtOn who had never
expected a reverse, was quite crushed
as the pending lawsuit progressed.
A Thousand times day be said:
How pTovedential It would be if
Uncle Hiram's viii wOuld turn up at
this moment.
4 wonder how he can rest poor man,
with such injustice going on"
But no matter what they said, or how
they managed, no will was found, and
Jabez rubbed his hands In triumph.
1t was strange that while matters
were in this condition, one so deeply
interested il the subject as Mrs. Cal
veltOn necessarily was, should dream
of any thing else; but dream she did,
night after night, of an entirely differ
ent subject.
Inevitably, for a week at least, she
had no sooner closed her eyes than she
found herself in an intelligence Office,
full of employees Of all ages and nations,
and face to face with girl of small
stature, with white Scotch features.
and singular blue eyes wide apart and
staring, who desired the situation of
cook.
At first she did not like the girl. but
In every dream she found her aversion
vanish.
After a few moments conversation,
and invariably, it had begun to melt
when the girl looked at her Ind said:
I'D like to hire with you, ma'am. y
1t vas always the same office always
the same giTl-alWays the same words
were uttered-until Mrs. Culverton
began to think there must be some
thing in the dream.
Though it can't come true" said
she, ''fOr while Johanna remains here
/ shall never hire another cook"
Aud Just as she sal { this there was q
scream in the kitchen, anu the little
errand girl ran in frightened out Of
her senses, TO tell how Johanna, lifting
the wash boiler, had fallen with 1t anG
scalded herself.
Mrs. CulvertOu followed the young
girl into the kitchen. and found JOhanns
IN q Wretched condition and the
Doctor being sent for, she was put NJ
70 bed and declared useless for her do
mestie capacity for at least month tC
come. A temporary substitute must bt
had, and Mrs. CulvertoG that very after
noon went to New York to find out al
the Intelligence Office.
Strange to say in the hustle she haG
duite forgotten her dream, until she
suddenly stood face to face with the
very girl she had seen in il. A small
young woman, with very singular blut
eyes IN white face, and whose feat
lures betrayed Scottish origin. She
had risen girl-from q seat IN thu
Office, and stood before her, twistins
her apron strings and cOurtesying.
I'D like to hire ont with you ma'am,
she said.
The very words of the dream, also
Mrs. Culverton started, and in her con
fusion could only say:
why"
The girl blushed.
81 don't know" she said, ''only Il
seems to me I'd like TO live with you.
1t seemed fatal thing to Mrs. Cul
vertoD, but she put the usual question
and received the most satisfactory an
swers, except as to references.
But l cant employ you without
reference, said Mrs. c., knowing tina
Fate hsd decreed that this girl shout,
take place IN her kitchen.
eff you can't, must out with 1t,
said the girl. "There's my lady's name
ma'am. She viii tell you am homes
and capable; but size turned me off 70
frightening the family"
''How?" asked Mrs. Culverton.
Seeing ghosts!" replied the girl
every day / saw a little girl In whit
playing about the house; and all sal,
there was no such child there. though
there had been one, but she was dead
Mistress said pretended to see it 70
tue sake OF impertinenee and she dis
charged 5me; but knew by her tremb
ing that she thought 1 had seen
ghost. Iwent to doctor, and he call
ed it optical delusion, and said il would
soon pas away; and sure enough,
hare not seen 1t since / left the house.
1t was a queer story but Mrs. Cul