Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1880-01-28


Lanes theory, aud Mr. Pepperton was
in a ahuhdering minority.
And for the life Of him he could mol
help listening, lfhe might only have
expressed a doubt It would have been
a great reliet to HIN, but of course
this would have a gross insult to hls
narratoS as discrediling their rela'
tons veracity, and consequently Mr.,
Pepperton had to deny himself this
comfort,
"Comc, come," he said neryously,
at last, "this Is too bad, q man comes
out 10 be cheerful you know besides
you fellows live in the village and
won't have time to get up any tancies
going home"
"But as yon don't believe in ghosts
It dosn't matter said Timothy Lane
'I do, though, and ! am glad ! havn't
got your walk tonight, for the
churobyard is an uncommon lonely
place to walk tarough after dark
"There Is no more the matter with
that than with other places" he an
swered with confidence he did not
feel (; at is just the idea. But | ON
thankful to say that ] am not super
stitious like you Timothy"
lie drank his last drop OF grog, and
rose to his feet, adding just to reassure
himself:
"Besdes I have been through it
often enough without seeing anything
and I cant see that there's any dif-
ference between tonight and other
nights
"Nonc whatever replied Timothy
Lane, with a significant glance at one
of his companions, as fto draw atlen'
ton to Mr.. Pepparton discomposure.
"Why should there be y
"Tha,'s just what I say-why should
there be Still ] can't say but what
il is more cheerful to have q companion
these dark nights"
"Of course it is more cheerful to
have a companion returned Timothy
"not only dark nights but at all times
I am sociable myself, and quite UNDER
stand what you mean. 1t is a pity
you don't live nearer the village and
then you would have plenty of com
pany,'
so I should daresay and very little
money" answered Mr.. Pepperton,
laughing, as he tugged on his great
coat and set his face determinedly to.
ward the door,"
"You don't mean we should roo you
gong home do you ?" inquired Tim
othy, who seemed to be vastly anus
ed about something.
"Wel1, not exactly, but you would
take up my time, and times money.
Whew, what a dark night - he ad-
ded as he opened the door and looked
down the village street. Il don't
believe I shall be able to find my
way"
Your eyes will get accustomed to
it after you have been out few min
utes,' observed the landlord encourag-
ingly. "Good night, Mr.. Pepperton
good night, and pleasant walk
This sounded like sarcasm to the
old farmer, as he went shivering along
the path, keeping his eye fearfally on
the tall shadow of the old church. Hith-
erto he had never had any feelings of
the sort, for after three editions of
grog a man is generally very valiant.
but tonight somehow, the stimulant
had not taken Its usual effect, and be
ielt nervous and unstrung.
However since it had to be done
it were better done quickly" he said
to himself, and quickened his pace.
NThe wind whis,led drearily in the
treetops, and there was not so much
as a light in the rectory window to
give feeling OF company.
But he could see his way perfectly
now, and he could also see the grave.
stones cleaning palely against the
somber back ground OF sky and yew'
He made few timid steps forward
and then stopped shudderiug. 1t had
suddenly occurred to him that this
was the anniversary Of the first Mrs.
Pepperton's death, and he should have
presently to pass her grave.
II she were disposed to "walk' as it
was called in the village, what an op-
portunlty! Now, he had had great
regard tor the first Mrs. Pepperton,
and from some points Of view, he
thought her superior to the second,
but under the circumstances he had no
wish to see her again, and devoutly
hoped if it had occurred to ber to walk
IN think better of it.