The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-04-03

phantoms that come like shadows-so
depart The night was chilly, and, as
1 wrapped my cloak around me, began
possibility, there could have been any
truth in the strange story that 1 had
heard. gradually felt, like the man in
the play, that all my courage was oozing
out at my fngers's ends"
"Oh, uncle, afraid n cried one Of the
boys.
the moment began to wish I was back
in the comfortable dining-room.
Suddenly the clock struck the hour
Of midnight.
"As the last echoes died away, I
heard in the distance sound like the
noise of a carriage and horses rapidly
approaching. My blood began to curdle
in my veins it came nearer and nearer;
and, at last, l saw a curious, old-fash-
ioned vehicle coming toward me at a
furious pace.
"For a moment was speechless, but,
mastering all my courage, I cried out to
the coachman 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 ac-
counted for his being able to hear my
cries.
GAS 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 were
well braced up, and 1 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 a naked sword which was still COW
cred with blood. His face was of an un-
earthly pallor, and had upon it soured,
scared look, which did not make him
very pleasant-looking travelling COM
panion.
For some time we sat face to face,
and when found that he did not appear
to take the slightest notice of me, be-
gan to be more at ease. At last / thought
il would be very uncivil to ride in the old
gentleman's coach without speaking to
him, and also felt inclined, as I had
never before met with a real ghost, to
make his acquaintance. So 1, by way of
opening the conversation, said
ga splendid night, sir.
"The elderly party in the tie-wig
made no reply.
"In a hurry to get to town, 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 1 re-
mained watching him with great inter-
est. At last, the night being chilly for
the time of year, and the coach having
about it peculiar atmosphere like that
of a vault, I began to feel extremely
cold.
After while the old gentleman 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; I;
and, through me, he would be released
from all further punishment, which was
to last until some brave fellow accom-
panied him in his drive and conversed
with him.
"For this release he heartily thanked
me, and said that, for my courage, 1
should be lucky to my business specula
tions; and, as you are aware, he turned
out true prophet"
"Did you talk about anything else P"
asked Joe.
"Oh, yes. My old friend had as much
curiosity as a woman" said Uncle Ben,
who, I need not say, was an inveterate
bachelor. eve had a conversation
about London. 1t appears that he had
been a great beau in his time, and he
considered himself an enormous favorite
with the ladies. He wished to know
who was the reigning toast, and
was much disgusted when 1 told him
that toasts had gone out of fashion"
"Was that all ?"
"Oh, no. He told me where the best
civet and pomatum were to be bought,
and who was the best peruke maker;
and was still more surprised when 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 so
frightened him that he put spurs to
his horse and disappeared as if he had
had twenty Bow-street runners at his
heels"
"Did you not ask what became OF
him on the other nights of the year,
when he was not out for his drive ?"
"He said that, in company with the
innumerable shades who were condemned
to occasionally visit the earth for crimes
committed during their past lives, hC
passed his time lowering round his ole
hannta longing To hAcnma visible TO hil