The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-12-11
THE GHOST AT HOLLY LODGE.

'The Old lady has taken Holly lodge
for three years."
A low whistle escaped from the lips OF
somewhat "swell" specimen OF the
clerk variety at this announcement.
''Rather be myself than you, in that
ase, Charlie. Although from nine to
: five is rather too much of a good thing,
when that thing is desk, still there is
compensation to certain degree"
es>"Not bird fellow can shoot" went
on Charlie, .or hare, or a rabbit; not a
bit of hunting; nor pack of
hounds for miles around. These Grim
shaws have done it-got around my mo-
Their, knowing that she has daughters,
and-sons" with meek emphasis0 ''and
now she is in for that hor1id old rookery
for three years! The Grimshaws have
Just gone out, and made convenience OF
the matter"
eff were in your place, I'd soon do
the business; but, Charlie, you're mutf!
such dear, darling pet! you could not
think of being naughty-no, not you'll"
Now, Charlie was a good fellow in
every sense of the word; but he had
weakness. Who has not2 He admired
his brother as ga town SWELL as he called
him, and also for his personal appearance
and savior fiaire but he was not above
feeling Just little Jealous Of him, es-
pecially when the last recommendation
was considered; anG Frank could stimu
late him to attempt anything by merely
saying he could do it.
Charlie pulled his short pipe for some
moments in silence, the putting becom-
ing more rapid as time flew, until at last
he seemed to have CLEAN OF inspiration
shed on him through the lazy clouds
which filed the room.
,. II would not mind betting q hamper of
champagne that before six months are
over our heads we are out of this unpleas-
ant hole.'
"Done; dozen drank on the premises
here or there! How do you mean to
effect ejectment?"
'That remains to be seen. I have not
hit it off yet: but if you could do it, why
should I not, being your senior by nearly
eighteen months?"
Frank looked at him to see if there was
a geam of humor in his brothers meaning,
but his face confirmed what his lips
uttered in singleness Of purpose. He e7i-
IDENTIFY believed in superior age.
And then each went his way for time,
Charlie to the country, to help move his
"people," as he called his mother and Sis
tiers, to their new home. Up to the house,
and down the house, and around the
house he loitered and moved, and racked
his brain to think of something as know
ing and sharp as Frank would have
thought of, to make the house untenaEole
but he was at his wits end, and there
seemed to be no weak point to assail.
He thumped the walls for hidden pass
ages, in hopes Of getting up% ghost, but
even there he was baff1ed. There was
what is called a we'll staircase-tha5 is
>. spiral-with no break to the succession
p of sharp. pointed stairs encircling rail
of balusters which wound up three stories
above ground and down to cellar below
There was no cellar below, and as the
kitchen and offices were behind in g. wing,
over which were the servants rooms
Charlie dwelt in horror Of the ra.s, but
his sisters did not mind; the rats would
90 if Charlie would only get a terrier OF
a ferret; while his mother limited at a
cellar door some day. So he had to lei
hold, and all his other arguments be as
they say; but still he haunted the house
during the interval Of moving in. Atte1
peering into garrets and getting himsel
into state Of dust and whitewash which
would have Mortified his fastidious broth
er, he was about 10 give it up, and forfei
the champagne, when, accidentlY kick
ing an iron bolt from the skylight which
was lying on the floor, it started on it
travels. and to the amazement Of GU
hero, gave him long chase before he re
gained it, in consequence of the obnox
ious staircase. that gave out echoes in it
descent which would have startled an,
nervous family into commissions. AS b
first rushed down to secure the fasten
ing, and painted up again to replace it
the mind Of Charlie Dalton took in a ney
flash OF insperitlon. He stood midwa
and looked up, and then he looked down
and then he looked into all the rooms, t
see if he were alone, to make sure hi
secret was secret still, and then he wen
r., away, whistling gently, meditatin
z meanwhile. Suddenly he became recon
ciled to the house. He told his mcthe
he would give up the idea Of hunting
fishing and shooting, and take to litera
ture and farming that being in allusio
to the few acres, called grandiloquentl
*'the domain" which surrounded til
house.
At length an event occurred which di
turbed the serenity Of the whole fs.mil
servants included, which became tt
talk of the neighborhood for days, an
which finally effected a domestic revol'
ton. 1t was between II and 12-ne'
the witching hour when all the servan
were asleep, and the ladies were neare
50. Chare]ie declared he was dreamlr
Of opening hamper Of wine, wi
Franks acceptance, when he was awake
by one of the most "awful rows he ev
heard in his life, and jumping up to til
out the cause, met his mother, her he'
an edifce of white frills, and her pers'
inclosed IN crimson flannel dressin
gown. In second one door opene
then another, and then from each emerg
a scared, ghostly figure, in unreco
nizable attire. ~
did you hear that?" "Oh, what W
it," "Cannot imagine" What can it be
Perhaps Charlie himself was the M
demonstrative, though in quiet way.