Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-07-04

My story Is ghost story, and one OF the
genuine article | conclude, from putting
together my pre-conceived ideas OF ghosts,
and the particular experience | have to re-
late on this occasion II is an experience
so strange, so terrible, and SO traught with
poignaul grief, that for long time after
its occurrence shrank from all mention
OF 1t but time, the great allcviator, enables
me now 70 ait oown and give q calm ac-
count OF the events to which | refer.
| was night editor ON the llawbuck
Morning Sentinel. My associate in the 10
cal department was Ward Sutiin, young
fellow OF keen perceptions, ready wit, and
active ability lie had clear eyes, CON
ccntratiye brow, rather pale complexion,
long, llarng jet black moustache, and
an open, wide awake look that was faith
nl index 70 his character. Nothing es.
capped his observation. He was indefa,iga-
bly, Industrious, and picked up all the news,
dClving on, item, from the most appar-
entity barren ground. He was the best To-
cal we had ever had, ami our department
of city news, soon after his advent, out
stripped those of all our contemporaries in
variety ana spice
Ward had one fault, however. The so
cial bowl possessed powerful attractions
Tor him, and 1t was too often evident that
he hal been imbihing more freely than n
sound Judgment would dictate, To be
sure he was seldom untitled for business. --
not more than once in three or four
month perhaps, but he was pursuing a
path which, If persisted in, must, | Gu
deavor,3 10 pursuade him, result in his
dnwntu.G talked to him often about II,
h"t though he always listened pleasantly
my Wo ds seemed to be uSe'esSly cNpcud-
ci. lie was always the same free and
easy, .gGt-heaued, conyiyal fellow, ana
llrl-w rEjug, valuable assistant
rilc would frequently choose a topic OF
popular interest and write thereon S.rieS
Of descriptive articles In free, goSsipy
vein. just calculated to catch the public
attention. This was in addition to his
regul : work as city editor the amount
of labor he accomplished, and the ease
with which he performed it, frequently
filed me with uStunlshmeut
We'll do remember when he chose FOR
his theme " Drrgs and Scum lie pcne
trlttl the yilyst haunts Of the luwcstCla 5
Is, and described their habits in a wonder
fully vivid manner Their wees their
mistormcs, the bright spots In their lives
together with scraps of adventure and IN
riurn,, exciting amusing, and pathetic
were IN treated with rare spirit and
grace by his ready pen
Of course in this pursuit he visited The
resorts OF thieves, villains, and dtsNera
does, and plunged into scenes, against his
safe eNlt from which, there were many
chances.
" We win see what can bc iShcd up
from tAe slime, he would say. with
mockiug laugh, and start off on one OF his
midnight excursions And aEsiu he would
announce that he had am appointment to
meet some distinguished friends the true
purport 81 which remark we an we'll I'M
der.tood
Ward and |, when At work occupied at
room by ourselves while the managing cd
itor, and Bailey, his assistant, had another
apart, Just across the hall.
one night about half past eleven, Wand
said to me
Wei, Peck, III 20 down and Sc what
| can see I've sent in couple ~ col
umns ana Dobhin viii be on the look out
10 report If anything turns up I'll be back
hy half past one or two
Dohbn was middle aged. scciy indi-
vidual of some ability, bat no particular
OCCUPATION. who loaGd round the office
m Il Of The time. IN raal,ness 10 as Isl,
for small r. uuWn't5 n IN any d.nas
mont ag lift mntl ~ ae crowded .ta