Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1876-05-18
AN AUTHENTIC GHOST STORY.

family estate for many years, without the
slightest doubt that they had a legal right to
it, when suddenly there started up, from
goodness knows where, an individual who
laid claim on property, and seemed likely to
prove his claim to all but the CulvertOns
themselves.
1t was certain Jabez Hardy was the nearest
relative and certain that even Mrs. CulvertOn
was only grand-niece of Hiram Hardy, de-
ceased; but the CulveIlons had lived with the
old man for years, and he promised, time and
again, to leave them everything. He had
even declared that his will was made in their
favor, and that such document was actually
in existence, Mr.. Cuverton could not doubt;
| but diligent search had been made in vain,
and JabcZ Hardy. whom the old man never
saw, was to take the place Of people be loved
fondly, and who had been his comfort in his
last hours.
''It was shame" said every one.
"a cruel, wicked thing" sObbed Mrs. Cul-
vcron.
And MIR. Culverton, who had never eXpec-
ted a reverse, was quite crushed as the pend
ing lawsuit progressed.
! A thousand times day he said, GLOW
provdential it would be if Uncle Hiram's
will would turn up at this moment
| And Mrs. CulvertOn always answered, Il
wonder he can rest, poor man, with such in
justice going on"
But no matter what they said, or how they
managed, no will was found, and Jabez rub
bed his hands in triumph. 1t was strange
that while matters were in this condition, one
so deeply interested in the subject as Mrs.
Culverton necessarily was, should dream of
anything else; but dream she did, night after
night, Of an entirely opposite subject.
Inevitably, for week at least, she had no
sooner closed her eyes than she found her
self in servants registry office, full of can
didates of all ages and nations, and face to
face,a with girl of small stature with
white Scotch features, and singular blue eyes,
who desired the situation of cook.
At first she did not like the girl, but in
every dream she found her aversion vanish
After few moments conversation, and in
| variably, it had began to melt when the girl
looked full at her and said, "Td like to en-
gage with you ma am"
1t was always the same Office-always the
same girl-always the same words were ut
tered-until Mrs. Culverton began to think
there must be something in the dream.
'Though it can't come true," said she
for while Johanna and Rachael remain
here, l shall never want another cook or
housemaid."
And just as she said this there was scream
in the kitchen and Rachael ran in, frightened
out of her senses, to tell how Johanna, lifting
large kettle had fallen with it and scalded
herself.
| Mrs Culverton followed the housemald in
to the kitchen and found Johanna in a
wretched condition. The doctor being sent
| for, she was put to bed and declared useless
| in her domestic capacity for at least month
to come A temporary substitute must be
| had; and Mrs. Culverton, that very afternoon,
went to the nearest town to find one at a
| registry office.
Strange to say, in the hustle she had quite
| forgotten her dream until she suddenly stood
| face to face with the very girl she had seen
! in it. A small young woman, with very sin
| gular blue eyes, in a white face, and whose
! features betrayed Scottish origin. She had
risen-this girl-from a seat in the office, and
stood before her twisting her apron-strings
and courtesying.
cd like to engage myself with you,
ma am" she said
The very words of the dream also. Mrs.
Cuiverton started, and, in her confusion,
could only say, Why Y
| The girl blushed.
Il don't know" she said; "only it seems
to me I'd like to live with YOU"
1t seemed fated thing to Mrs. Culverton;
but she put the usual questions and received
the most satisfactory answers, except as to
references.
"But can't employ you without a refer
ence," said Mrs Culverton, stll.knowing that
Fate had decreed that the girl should take a
place in her kitchen.
elf you can't, must out with the TRUTH"
said the girl There's my last mistress name,
ma am She'll tell you I'm honest and
capable; but she turned me away for fright
ening the family,
''How ?" asked Mrs. Culverton.
'.Seeing ghosts" replied the girl. 'Eyery-
day saw little child in white playing about
the house, and everybody said there was no
such child there, though there had been once,
and he was dead. Mistress said preten ded
to see it for the sake Of impertinence and dis
charged me; but l know by her trembling she
thought l had seen ghost. l went to doc
tor, and he called it an optical delusion, and
said it would pass away; and sure enough,
I've never seen it since left the house"
1t was queer story; but Mrs. Culverton
believed it, and before she left the office had
hired Jessy to fill Johannas place for the
space of one month from that day. That
evening she came and went to work with
will.
Dinner time passed comfortably and tea
time came. The Culvertons usually eat
muffin or piece of cake at this meal, and
cups were handed about in the sitting room.
Jessy came in at the appointed hour with the
tray, served every one, and then stood smi-
ling before Mrs. Culverton.
''Please let me pass you, ma am, she said.
''The old gentleman hasn't been helped. Yes
sir, in minute"