Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-10-26


81 uccrs 10 Il, TO the iliininte amusement
OF people who raw only empty ait in the
same spot.
By aud by she invariably spoke Of her
gLos, AZ this old gentleman, and was 10
more affected by his presence than by tina,
Of living being. II II was an optical IL
lusion it vas the most singular on record.
But al this while--ghost or no ghost -
the figure never spoke, aud never did
any hin; to help thei Culveftons In their
dilemma, and the lawsuit was nearly ter
minated, without the shadow ola doubt, in
Jabex llsrdy's favor.
Ia three days all would be over and
the Cclvertons who had earned their prop.
orty, IL ever rnortals did. by kindness and
atteation to- theis aged relstive-whom
they truly lovsd 80 honoredr-wesSd Peob-
s6ay be hOs,elees, ~ 4@~
One morning, Mrs. Culveston sat over hss
break fast after the others had left the room,
thinking OF this, when Jessie came in.
1--WE something 10 tell you, ma'sm,' she
said. "rheYe's change in the old gentle
man
"wh.t do you meant asked Mrs. Gull
verton.
"rvs seen him twice a. ths foot Of nv
bed in the night" said the girl; "md
though he always, before me. has been kind
and pleasant-looking. nov he frowns and
looks angry. He beckons me to go some
where, and don't dare, in the night time"
You must" said Mrs.. Culverton. II
know he will cone again and Ill sit with
you oil night snd 60 where you 10. Itmay
be OF great use to % all, Jessie"
81 shan't be afraid. ma'sm. il l have
company" said Jessie, in the most matter
Of fact manner; and carried out The break
fast things
All day they never spoke on the subject;
but, on retiring, Jessie found her mistress
in her bed-ro wrapped in shawl.
"Im ready. you Sec" she said. And
Jessie merely loosensd some buttons aud
hooks end Icy down, dressed.
Ten clock passed eleven twelve. Mrs.
Culverton began 10 doubt, when suddenly
she saw Jessie's eyes dilats in . most Pc
euliar manner, end, in On instant more, the
giil said:
"Why here he 10, ma'am
There's no one there" said Mrs. Gull
verton.
.OA. yss. m.'sm4e - i ~ him." said .h'
k.si. :,
Hes In great excitement. ma'sm he!
taking out hw watch to look 81. and til
chain 10 made OF such bright yellow hair,
thou sht ct first it vas gold"
.sHis vifss hair," ssid Mrs. Osaysstoa
"ls was bueisd With him. You.ses dea1
old uncle Hiram. Does be look st mel"
"Yes, spa'am," said Jessie.
"Unclc," said Ass. o.. do yea kno~
, me after oil those years 7"
Gle nods," said the girl.
"llave you come to help us-deaf un
Gle p said the lady.
Uncle Hiram WAS described - noddinl
very kindly aad bcckoning.
"llswants usto follow him" oaid the
lady, and took up the light. The momsn
she opened the door Jessy saw the 6guf
pass through II
Mrs. Oulverton still sesid ~ soshiss,
Obedtsnt 70 tho girls uovsisents, Mrs.
G. descended the stairs and stood in Oh,
library.
The ghost paused before book case.
ole wants me open II, said jessie.
"Do So" said the lady.
ole signs to take down the books" Sal,
he giSl
And Mrs. Culvsrtons own hands wer
, to work. Book after book was taken dow
novels and romances, poems and plays
a pile Of volumes lay upon the librar
carpet aud still the ghost pointed to tn
rest til they were oil down.
, ale looks troubled. ma'am. lie seem
irving to tiunk,' said the girl. "Oh
, una am, he's gone TO the other case
Aud 80, to cut long story short, IN
four great book cases were emptied with
out sppslsnt result.
Suddenly Jessie screamed
Hes in the air. He's risen, ina'am, I
the top of the case lie wants me to elm
up" v grtE3
Get the steps, Jessie" said her mis-
tress-and Jessie obeysd.
On tue very top Of one Of the cases, Gov
cred bv cobwsbs, she found an OLD German
book, and bsoughtit down.
. "This was there" she said. Afs. Cul
vsrton took it in her hand. and from b
tween the leaves dropped folded paper
fastened wAhfed taps and sealed.
The lady picked it up aud req on I'll
outside these words
'rnK LAST WILL AND rEsfANsNr OF HlRAl
uAkpy."
For little while she could only weep an,
tremblc; soon she found wtrcs.
"Uncle," she said. Gin the name of IN.
husband, aud my dear children, thank yo
from my soul. Does he hear me, Jessie ?
Yes he mods and sn,lcs," said tn
girl.
"Will you let ME sec you, uncle :" SAT-
Mrs. Culverton.
"lIe has gone,' said the girl. "lle ha
. kissed his hand ank gone
And so he had for good for from tina
moment he was never seen again by morta
eyes.
Nobody believed the story OF bic appear
ance. But the will had been discovered
without doubt, and the Culvertons were IL
longer in danger Of expulsion from thei
old home. There they lived and died, Ont
; Jessie remained until she married and al
her life received every kindness from III
family, who were indebted TO her singula
peculiarly for their comfort and happiness
Whether uncle niram's spirit realll
came back 10 earth or not. is question:
but Mrs. Culvsrton always asserts that
did, and quarrels with every one who ven
lures to doubt the assertion.