Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-06-04

scratching his head violently. as if to
extract the ideas by the root. "There
be a voine large house on the road,
about mile further on. It's noa
an inn, but the colonel ices COM
pany vor the yum of the thing-'coz he
loikes to zee company around 'un.
You must a heard of him-Colonel
Rogers-a' used to be a soger once"
"Say no more!" cried the major. ~
have heard of the hospitable gentle
man, and his having been in the army
gives me a sure claim on his attention.
Here's a crown for your information,
my friend. Come, Marlborough"
Touching his steed with spur, the
major rode off, feeling an exhilaration
Of spirits that soon communicated it.
self to the horse. A sharp trot of a
few minutes brought him to large
mansion which stood unfenced like
q huge caravansary by the road
side. He made for the front door, and
without dismounting, piled the large
brass knocker until servant in livery
made his appearance.
is your master up?" asked the ma
jor.
L
said a venerable gentleman, making his
appearance at the door.
81 am benighted traveller, sir" said
the major, touching his hat, "and come
to claim your well-known hospitality.
Can you give me bed for the night? I
am afraid my four-footed companion is
hardly able to carry me to the next
inn."
Il cannot promise you a bed, sir"
said the host, "for [ have but one spare
bed in the house."
"And that" said the major.
Happens to be room that does not
enjoy a very pleasing reputation. In
short, sir, one loom of my house is
haunted; and that is the only one, I'M
fortunately, that [ can place at your
disposal tonight"
my dear sir" said the major, spring
ing from his horse and tossing the bri-
die to the servant, "you enchant me be-
yond expression. A haunted chamber
The very thing-and 1 who have never
seen ghost! What luck!''
The host shook his head gravely.
Il never knew a man." he said, "to
pass a night in that chamber without
regretting it."
Major Stanley laughed as he took his
pistols from the holster pipes.
"With these good friends of mine" he
said, Il fear neither ghost nor Demon"
Colonel Rogers showed his guest into
a comfortable parlor, where real coal
fire was burning in the CRATE, and re-
freshments most welcome to weary
traveller stood upon the table.
Mine host was an old campaigner, and
had seen much service during the war
Of the American Revolution, and he was
full of interesting anecdotes and descrip-
tons of adventures. But while Major
Stanley was apparently listening atten-
lively to the narrative of his hospitable
entertainer, throwing in the appropriate
CALCULATIONS Of surprise and pleasure at
the proper intervals, his whole attention
was IN reality absorbed by charming
girl of twenty, the daughter Of the col
onel, who graced the table with her
presence. Never, he thought, had he
seen so beautiful, SO modest and so
lady-llke creature; and she in her turn
seemed very favorably impressed with
the manly beauty and frank manners
of their military guest.
At length she retired. The colonel,
who was three bottle man, and had
found listener to his heart, was some
what inclined to prolong the session into
the small hours Of the morning, but
finding that his guest was much IA
tigued, and even beginning to nod in
the midst of his choicest story, he felt
compelled to ask him if he would not
like to retire. Major Stanley answered
promptly in the affirmative, and the
old gentleman, taking up silver candle
stick, tremendously marshaled his
guest to a large old-fashioned room, the
walls of which being papered with
green, gave to it its appellation of the
green chamber" A comfortable bed
invited to repose; a cheerful fire was
blazing on the hearth, and everything
was cozy and quiet. The major looked
around him with an air of satisfaction.
" am deeply indebted to you, col
onel," said he, for afording me such
comfortable quarters. shall sleep like
top"
~ am afraid not" answered the COL
onel, shaking his head gravelv. IT
never knew a guest Of mine to pass a
quiet night in the green chamber"
+" [ shall prove an exception" said the
major, smiling. ''But I must make
one remark" he added seriously. ''It's
i'll sporting with the feelings of a soldier,
and should any Of your servants at
tempt to play tricks upon me, they will
have occasion to repent it." And he
laid his heavy pistols on the lightstand
by his bedside.
"My servants, Major Stanley" said
the old gentleman with an air of offend
ed dignity, "are too we'll drilled to dare
attempt any trick upon my guests.
Good night, major"
" Good night, colonel"
The door closed, Major Stanley locked
it. Having done SO, he took survey
OF the apartment. Besides the door
leading into the entry, there was
another leading into some other room.
Tboro Uoc no 1ooi/ ,,po, The 100000