The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-01-02


then been taken up, nor had the school
master gone abroad) or he would have
known that nothing is more common
than for the ghost Of book to walk.
Indeed, what is book but the ghost of
the man who writes iii o blessed nee
romancy of reading, mightier than that
of the Governor of Glubdubbdrib, or the
Island of Enchanters, once visited by
that only truthful traveller, Lemuel Gull
liver. For whereas, his could only COM
mand the departed for thespace of twen-
ty-four hours, thine can summon them
to the presence at all seasons, and for
any timel But John did not know this;
so he asked what the ghost of the order
ly-book looked like.
Look like, you villain !" somewhat
testify answered Ingram. 1t looks like
nothing at all It's gone, you dog !"
"Gone already, sirl" exclaimed the
astonished John. "And where was it,
sir p"
" Exactly in the middle of the table,
there, with its right cover leaning against
Une canuleSllck, lIS hlhueI clu COOhcu UP
upon the inkstand."
Bless my soul |" shuddered John, at
this picturesque description, land how
long ago is it since your honor saw it
last ?''
=" Just as / was going to the assembly
this evening"" replied his master.
go Lord ! is that all ?" exclaimed the
man, much relieved, 81 thought your
honor had just seen it, when could see
nothing at all. :"
Confound your nonsense !" returned
the captain, sharply. :" only wish
| that had seen It'll What under Heaven
am to say about it to Lord Percy to-
morrow, God knowsl But light all the
candles in the room, and let us have a
thorough search for it; though it is not
likely that it is here"
This foreboding was but too true His
prophetic heart had told him an over true
tale. They looked above, around and
underneath. They crawled over the
floor on their hands and knees, and, like
the serpent of old, "upon their belly did
they go" under the bed. They looked
into every drawer, and inspected the
most impossible places. But it was all
in vain. The mystic volume was not to
be found in the wood-box, nor did it
| drop from the inverted jack-boots. The
| window seats were ignorant of its where
about, and the window-curtains VOTED
not of it's presence. The cooking uten-
sils knew not of it, and their basket and
| their store was not blessed with its pos
session. Where the plague could it be !?
1t seemed as if the ghost only could
tell
There was no sign of any other disturb
ancei in their premises. This made the
matter look the more mysterious. 1t
was much more awful affair than if the
disappearance of the book had been ac-
companied by any of the gambols and
Jtt'nimentS of the night before. That
looked like fun; this looked more like
earnest. The orderly-book contained in
formation relating to the strength and
state of the royal forces, which it was of
the last Importance should not fall into
the hands of the rebels. And beside this
there were loose papers, given to our
hero by Lord Percy to be copied, as he
acted in some sort as his private secreta-
ry as well as adjutant. which were of a
still more secret nature. Such, for ex-
ample, as his lordship's reply to the
requisition of the commander-in-chiet
for the opinions of his principal officers,
as to the state of affairs in the town ,and
the best course to be pursued. This, and
other documents, involved an amount OF
intelligence, as to facts and opinions,
which might be of infinite mischief il
they fell into the enemy's hands. In
gram knew too well what mass of dis
affection existed in the town, not to feel
that the worst was but too probable.
After every place, probable and inn.
probable, had been ransacked, and to nc
purpose, the search was abandoned fol-
the night. The room was secured as fai
as locks and bolts were concerned, though
they seemed to be of but little moment
in this chamber of bedevilment; and
Captain Ingram retired moodily to bee
to seek for such rest as he could find. II
was an uncomfortable night, to be sure
not from any renewal of the disturb
ances of the night before, for all wal
quiet but from his harassing thoughts
and internal vexation. His sleep wal
broken by visions Of his interview with
his commander, In which he shoult