The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-24
LAYING THE GHOST.
AN ENGLISH CHRISTMAS STORY.

This is the story of two or three connected
incidents, not quite every day, which befell me,
Hugh LiVesay, lew years ago. Or, in more
concise words-and ghost stories being the
proper thing at Chrstmas-this is the story of
the laying the ghost of-a difficulty.
At the time introduce myself TO you, |, Hugh
Livesay, son and heir of Henry Livesay, Esq,
OF Holber Holt, Leicestershre, was an und er-
graduate of Chrstchufch, of three years. stand
ing, spending his long with his uncle, his
mothers brother, Mr.. Smith Pentland, solicitor,
The Close, Southwich. ] had many grander
relatives, especially on my fathers side; none
other who had SO much Of my respect as this
reputation. / don't boast OF it, for have not
seen many men who could afford to look down
upon Smith Pentland; have seen as few who
superority-he had to meet the clever mans
supreme difficulty of bearing with incompe-
tency, and he subdued it thoroughly.
Nevertheless, where he saw youth, and
health, aud intellect-it was his theory that
opportunity should be measured apart-he was
not easy 10 satisfy: the idle found him hard
taskmaster. In these respects my uncle was
fairly content with me, but he was one of those
who love TO resort to argument for the sake of
discovering what their opponent is made OF. l
am saying nothing for or against the practice,
simply that he followed it. Aud a 'avorite
course with him was to challenge US university
men.
The question is, are not you specialtes p he
said, one day over our atter-dinner wine.
You may picture my uncle fine old figure
with great ridges of brOws below an abundance
OF white hair, refined, almost gentle eyes, but
marked caustic mouth, with somewhat large
lips. There were those who went in fear of my
nnce's sarcasm, but they did not fare best with
him. Tine question is, are not you specaltiesH p
NOW you have put hard case, sir said /.
Because, although it is not the truth, it is next
to it. To my mind no man is more capable than
your better sort of oxford man,
That's, put your Oxford man into an unusual
and difficult position, he will come out of it more
itnh IN hon liz,
Il think so, SIR
1T is contrary to'the received notions, Hugh
But do think it,
1t was one pleasant feature in my uucle's iu-
teIcourse with young men, that he treated them
as possibly his equals in intelligence, if not in
judgment. And this wthout at all risking his
dignity. The consequence was that young men
tried TO talk up 10 him.
Seriously. don't you think you are too finished
an article for common uses? l have my doubts
OF you, Hugh, although my own boy is just
going to Cam BRIDGE
4 wish you could put one of us on his trial. 1
sald, not consenting to mis- opinion. Me, since
no one else Offers
'Ill take you at your word, Hugh said my
uncle, suddenly. Mlnd-lfs you don't wish to
do what l ask, say SO; | shall respect your
scruples. want you to 90 to a gentlemau's
house in the neighbOrhOod-iti is just the case
you desire, that should make a real use of you
and take an inventory OF the property on his
premises
There is no doubt was a great deal dismaved
my ulClt's uuuSudl anu position had
certainly not taken this form 10 my MUD.
He is in degree friend of mine; but what
more influences me, be is a great friend of
great hiends OF niue. One OF these will advance
him money for present necessities, but requires
bill OF sale on his furniture and horses and
carriages security 1t is TO be arranged for as
early aud privately as possibly. Now there is
not clerk in my oiliCe | can rust as | ought to
be able to trust you My clerks contract a habit
OF reticence know, but they are as likely as
not TO beiray that their errand is something
sinister and unusual in their very effort not to
do so. In fact, If gentleman were to be found
for such work, he Is what is wanted. And you
say Oxford men are so capable; my uncle push
ing back his chair, and looking sharply at me as
he ceased speaking.
You would like me to undertake i:?' said |,
dubously.
If you would, you see me out of a difficulty.
However, II you at all object, there's an end.
Pm thinking for the LADIES' OF Mr.. Guests
family mostly. You wouldn't, you know, want
TO mention your relationship to me or anything
OF that sort: you may not even see any OF the
family-althougb, honestly, 1 think you will
In spite OF what he said about there being nm
end to 1t If objected, vet, as he went on enume
rating the fors and againsts, / saw which way
his wishes tended. Besides it struck me half
the trial might be In seeing whether colld
overcome my reluctance. So l made up my
mind.
Well l will do my best, sir. Tomorrow do
you say? suppose It's chairs and tables Pm
10 value. How am to know what TO call 'em, +,
and laughed without much satisfaction; or
whether they be worth shilhngs or poundsP