The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-02-28

phantoms that come like shadows-so
depart. The night was chilly, and. as
| wrapped my cloak around me, began
to shudder, as I wondered ii. by any
possibility, there could have been any
truth in the strange story that I had
heard. ! had brought with nae peck
et-tlask, so / treated myself to a nip to
warm me, as I gradually felt like the
man in the play, that all my courage was
oozing out at my fingers ends"
ooh, uncle, afraid p 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
a carriage and horses rapidly approach
ing. Ny blood began to curdle in nv
veins; it came nearer and nearer; and,
at last, I saw a curious, old-fashioned
vehicle coming toward me at q furious
pace
For moment I was speechless, but,
mastering all my courage, cried out to
the coackman to stop. He did so, and
then, to my intense surprise, saw that
his head had been severed from the
trunk. The CHASTITY head lay by his side
on the coach-box, which perhaps ae-
counted for his being able to hear nv
cries.
AS the carriage stopped he sprapg
to the ground, flung open the door. let
down the steps and signed for me to
enter. By this time my nerves were
well braeed up, and [ jumped in without
any fear.
Upon entering the coach and taking
my seat [ found myself opposite an old
gentleman who was dressed in the cos
tune OF the commencement Of the reign
of George III. Upon his head was an
old-fashioned tie-wig, and in his hand
was naked sword which was still Gov
cred with blood. His face was of an
unearthly pallor, and had upon it o
soured, scared look, which did not make
him very pleasant-looking travelling
companion.
For some time we sat face to face,
and when [ found that he did not ap-
pear to take the slightest notice of me,
L began to be more at my ease. At last
L thought 1t would be very uncivil to
ride in the old gentleman's coach with
out speaking to him, and I also felt in
clined, as had never before met with a
0h +N 10
So |, by way of opening the conversation,
said:
"'A splendid night, sir.
"The elderly party III the tie-wig made
no reply.
"' In hurry to get to town, I pre-
sumo? 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 in thought, and [ re-
manned watching him with great interest.
At last, the night being chilly for the
time OF year, and the coach having about
it a peculiar atmosphere like that of q
vault, began to feel extremely cold,
and J. drew out once more my flask OF
brandy.
"The eyes of the old fellow lit ND anI7.
twinkled with excitement, as he saw me
drink. L offered him the bottle: he &C.
cepted it with low bow, and followed
my example.
"'Thank you, said he; L have not
tasted such good family brandy for many
day He then drew out his snuff-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.
CATER a second nip the old gontle-
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, I
should be lucky to my business specula-
oAOup, au1, dn you d16 ANaI0, u0 LurnoQ
out true prophet"
"Did you talk about anything else? ?"
asked Joe.
"Oh, yes. Ny old friend had as
much curiosity as woman" said Uncle
Ben, who, [ need not say, was an invet-
crate bachelor. "We had converse
ton about London. It appears that he
had been great beau in his time, and
he considered himself an enormous IA
vorite with the ladies. He wished to
know who was the reigning toast, and
was much Disguised when I told him
that toasts had gone out of fashion"
I" Was that all ?"
ooh, 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 I 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