Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-09-10

drily, "but mark my word, young man.
il your horse plays such tricks again,
he'll be the means OF seriously injuring
his masters health"
They both turned and cantered back
to the road. When they resched it
again, and turned the heads OF their
animals in the right direction. the strsn-
ger said 10 bis guide in tone which
must have convinced his hearer ss TO his
earnestness
NOW. friend Wilhelm. hope We IN
derstand each other for the rest OF the
journey. You are to continue on ahead
OF me in the right road, without swerg-
ing either to the right or the left II |
see you do anything suspicious | will
drive brace Of ballets through you
withou. word OF notice. Now push
on"
The guide hadIstarted as directed, but
il was evident from his mutteringS that
he Was alarmed at something besides
the actions OF his follower
la the mean time the thunder had in
creased in violence. and the flashes OF
| lightning had become more frequent
and more binding. For awhile the two
hoTsemeu rode on In silence, the guide
keeping up his directions to the letter.
while his follower watched his every
movement ss cat would watch a mouse
Suddenly the guide stopped and
looked behind him. Again he heard the
click of the strangers pistol and saw his
uplifted arm.
Have mercy, meinheer," he groaned,
IL dare not go on
~ give you three seconds TO 90 on,
replied the stranger sternly "Ouel7
I'm heavens nsme spare" implored
the guide. almost overpowered with
fear; "look before me IN the road, and
you'll not blame me-"
The stranger looked. At hrst he saw
something white standing mo,ionless in
the conlre OF tho road, bat presently =
fash of lightning liz up the scene. and
he saw that the white figure was indeed
ghas.iY and lrightful enough 10 chill the
blood ID me veins OF even the bIsyest
man. Ii his blood chilled for moment,
therefore, II was no. through any tear
that he felt for his ghostly intoTupter.
tor the next instant he sel his teeth hard
while he whispered between them, jus,
loud enough 10 be heard by his terror
stricken guide-"Be il man or devil i
ride i, down-Pl follow Twor
With q cry OF despair upen his lips
the guide urged his horse forward at the
top OF his speed. quickly followed by
toe stranger. who held his pistol ready
in his hand.
In another insisn. the guide would
have swept past the dreadful vision, bu'
a. that iLs,an. the report OF pisto
rang through the dark forest, and the
stranger heard horse gallop off lhro'
tho wood, Tideress.
Finding himself alone, the stranger
raised his pistol, took deliberate aim at
the ghostly murderer. and pressed his
finger upon the trigger.
The spparition approached quickly
but in no hostile attitude. The traveller
stayed bis hand. At length the ghost
addressed him in voice that was any
thing bat sepulchral:
Here. Wilhelm, ye move ont OF your
perch this minute and give me helpin (
hand. Fve hit the game while on the
wing, haven't ?"
The stranger was nonplussed for q
moment, but recovering himself. be
grumoled something unintelligsble, and
leaped TO the ground. One word TO his
horse and the brave animal stood perfect
ly still. BY the snow-white .rsppings
on the would-be ghost he Was nexi en-
aoied to grOpe his way in the dark to-
ward that individual, wht III he found
bending over black mass about the size
OF man on the road.
As the tiger pounces upon his prey. the
stranger leaped upon the STOPPING figure
before him. and bore it TO the ground.
81 arrest You in the kings nsme,'
cried the stranger grasping his prisone
by the throat and holding him tight
Stir hand or foot until have you prop
erly secured. and will send your sou
to eternity"
This was such an unexpected turn oi
affairs the wouid-be ghost could hardly
believe his own senses, and was hand
cuffed and stripped of his dagger anC
pistol before be had time TO speak.
"Are you not my Wilhelm P' he
gasped.
mo, landlord" replied the individus
addressed. 81 am not. But am an Off.
Ger OF the king at yonr service, or
special duty ~ do what have to might
accomplished. Your precious son VII
helm. whom You thought was leading a.
innocent lamb to the slaughter, lies ir
the road, killed by ais fathers hand"
Two weeks later. at Bruchdale prisor
in Baden, the landlord OF the sign of tho
deer and the ghost OF the robber of tht
Black forest, who was the same identics
person, having been proven guilty o