The true northerner., 1878-03-01

phantoms that come like shadows-so
depart. The night was chilly, and, as
1 wrapped my cloak around me, began
to shudGer, as / wondered If, by any
possibility, there could have been any |
truth in the strange story that had |
heard. j had brought with nae pock-
et-fiask, 80 treated myself to nip to
warm me, as l gradually felt like the
man in the play, that all my courage was
oozing out at my fingers ends"
"Oh, uncle, afraid !" cried one of the
boys.
Yes, my boy, must confess it, for
the moment / began to wish was back
IN the comfortable old dining-room
but as the brandy warmed me up
laughed at my fears, and determined to
stay it out, careless OF man or devil.
"Suddenly the clock struck the hour
of midnight.
"As the last echoes died away, heard
in the distance sound like the noise of
carriage and horses rapidly approach
ing. My blood began to curdle in my
veins; it came nearer and nearer; and,
at last, saw a curious, old-fashioned
vehicle coming toward me at furious
pace.
"For moment was speeohless, but,
mastering all my courage, 1 cried out to
the coachman to stop. He did 80, and
then, to my intense surprise, 1 saw that
hos head had been severed from the
trunk. The CHASTITY head lay by his side
on the coach box, which perhaps ac-
counted for his being able to hear my
cries.
"As the carriage stopped he sprang
to the ground, flung open the door, let
down the steps and signed for me to
enter. BY this time my nerves We're
well braced up, and jumped in without
any fear.
my seat L found myself opposite an old
gentleman who was dressed in the cos
tune OF the commencement of the reign
of George Ill. Upon his head was an
old-fashioned tie-wig, and in his hand
was naked sword which was still cov-
cred with blood. His face was OF an
unearthly pallor, and had upon it
soured, scared look, which did not make
him very pleasant-looking travelling
companion.
"For some time we sat face to face,
and when l found that he did not ap-
pear to take the slightest notice of me,
L began to be more at my ease. At last
1 thought it would be very uncivil to
ride in the old gentleman's coach with
out speaking to him, and L also felt in
clined, as had never before met with a
real ghost, to make his acquaintance.
So L, by way of opening the conversation,
said:
GA splendid night sir.
"The elderly party III the tie-wig made
no reply.
&C. In hurry to get to town, pre-
sumo? 1 am very much obliged to you
for the lift.
"Still no answer. After this we both
sat for some time in silence; the ghost
seemed buried i'll thought, and L re-
mained watching him with great interest.
AT last, the night being chilly for the
time of year, and the coach having about
it peculiar atmosphere like that of
vault, began to feel extremely cold,
and / drew out once more my flask of
brandy.
"The eyes of the old fellow lit up anc
twinkled with excitement, as he saw me
drink. / offered him the bottle; he ac-
cepted it with low bow, and followed
my example.
"Thank you,' said he; Il have not
tasted such good family brandy for many
a day He then drew out his snuff-b box
and offered me pinch. Not daring to
offend him, took one, but carefully
let it drop on the floor of the carriage
when his eyes were turned away.
"After second nip the old g9ntle-
man grew quite sociable, and began to
talk: he complimented me upon my
bravery in daring to stop his carriage.
For just one century he had, once a
year, driven along this road without
meeting any one who had the courage to
ride with him; and, through me, he
would be released from all further pun
ishment, which was to last until some
brave fellow accompanied him In his
drive and conversed with him.
"For this release he heartily thanked
me, and said that, for my courage, l
should be lucky to my business specula-
tons; and, as you are aware, he turned
out true prophet.
"Did you talk about anything else ?"
asked Joe.
"Oh, yes My old friend had as
much curiosity as a woman, said Uncle
Ben. who, I need not say, was all invet-
|
ton about London. 1t appears that he
had been a great beau in his time, and
he considered himself an enormous ia
vorite with the ladies. He wished to
know who was the regning toast, and
, was much disgusted when / told him
that toasts had gone out of fashion"
, Z" Was that all p
"Oh, no. He told me where the best
, civet and pomatum was to be bought,
and who was the best peruke-maker;
and was still more surprised when 1 said
, that no one wore wigs now, except law
, yers and coachmen. He asked if travel
ing was as dangerous as ever; though he
confessed that he had not been much
troubled lately by the knights of the
road He said that one rode up to stop
him twenty-five years before, but the
sight of his headless driver had sc
, frightened him that he put spurs to his
horse and disappeared as if he had had
/ twenty Bow-street runners at his heels. y
"Did YOU not ask what became OF