The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1873-06-04
A GHOST STORY.

He had sat for two hours in the snug
brown coffee room of the Four Swans
Norham, and had ordered nothing, no
even bedroom or cup Of coffee. Al
in vain had the honest old waiter b1s
tied in and out, stirring the fire anc
| ficking crumbs from the table. He hac
only brought himself to the conclusion
that this strange guest was a "quee5
sort" especially for a Christmas eve.
In fact, they Of the Four Swans were
not much used to strangers of al Y sort
They had a quiet, steady-going con
nection in Norham itself. Three or foul
trade clubs held their meetings there
and the six or seven bedrooms of the
establishment we're kept in just the
state Of order and comfort which suited
the individuality of the six or seven
commercial gentlemen who, when
on Norham business, had patronized
the -Four Swans for the last twenty OF
thirty years. If ever a stranger appear
ed, it was generally with some such
introduction as this f: Landlord, Mr..
Dash, of Blank, toldme you would give
me good quarters for day, or for a
week, as the case might be. Indeed,
the -Four Swans had, as it were, hidden
itself from all chance-comers, for it
was situated in quiet corner of a very
quiet street, down which nobody would
think ofturning unless he knew some
thing of it beforehand; and altogether,
with its interior of brown paneling, it's
wealth Of quaint and grotesque orna-
ments, its red-tiled veranda, and its
communicative confidential old servants,
the -Four Swans was an excellent type
Of those honest, homely hotels which
are fast being improved from the
face of the earth. s.z
The gentleman in the coffee-room did
not notice that he had done an odd
thing by coming In without a word, and
remaining without an order. Perhaps
he had other things to think about. He
was tall, middle-aged man, with a
good deal Of hair upon his face; and,
though he was Enthusiastically we'll
dressed, he had that indefinite air
which most nen carry, who, at any pc
ROD of their lives, have "knocked
about in ships and colonies, in canvas
suits and corduroys.
He had come in about 5 o'clock, and
6 o'clock struck, and 7, and it was with
in two minutes of g. when an old Nor
ham townsman came in to look over
the papers. TO the intense satisfaction
Of tho waiter, that effectually reused
the stranger. But so slowly-like the
from long sleep. And SO
it had been an enchanted sleep haunt
ed by dreams of fivo-and-twenty years
ago.
want to stay here for the night,
wgiter, +" he said abruptly. ANY COM
Portable sort of bedroom viii suit me.
And bring me some tea and toast. :"
The waiter was alert. "There's a
little private room off here, sir" he
said, throwing open'a door. "Pll set
your tray there it's more retired-like
than this"
The gentleman followed as invited.
It was a square closet, with two or
.hrea stuffed chairs, polished round
able, and duh oiI-painting over the
nantle That was all that would strike
/ strange eye. But the gentleman |
walked straight to panel beside the
and peored at it. Under the
low discoIoration and many washings
if long time, there was still visible a [
light dashing pen and-ink sketch Of I
u old man, with q long nose and Cog
sIe spectacles.
Dear me sir, you've got quick
yes to find that out directly, said the
fatty old waiter. q Clever, isn't it
i young daredevil ne was that did if,
nd that was a portrait of the London
electives chat had come down to take
ina OF to prison. His Last meal in
Iorham he ate in this room, sir, and
are lot Of ham and eggs be did get
hrough. sir, and never minded BIT
hat the policeman was a watching of
I'M.
The gentleman said not one word.
Hes queerer than ever, confded
be waiter to the old cook, as he receiY-
4 the tea and toast from her hands.