The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-03-27
THE PRESS.
The Ghost of a Chance.
London Times.1

record certain IactS winch nave come unuer
my notice.
Here is a young fellow, like scores of 9TH
ers, with just enough property to live on
and to deprive him Of the spur to exertion.
A barrister, quite briefess, dabbling in art,
literature and music, and doing nothing
with either. Among other tastes he has
one for quaint jewelry-not for his own
adornment, but he collects it and possesses
many curious specimens, ancient and mod
ern. | know him very well, and he has
often shown me these treasures. Ono day l
called on him, after long vacation, and
find him throwing off slip after slip of manu-
script.
Excuse me five minutes" he says, land
| shall have finished have made Won
derful addition to my collection, and in the
oldest manner. am writing a story about
it, and-there-that's the end of the first
part He had been scribbling away while
speaking, and now laid down his pen. ''You
shall read for yourself" he goes on, gather
ing up his manuscript, chow it came about,
and you will understand why am rather
excited at recalling this. the narrow est es-
cape and the strangest adventure I ever had
in my life." Then, lighting cigar and CIV
ing me another, he settles me in an easy
chair by the fire, and begins pacing the
room. while read as follows:
| left Kings Cross by the night mail on
the 10th of last August. 1 was out of
health, tired and wanted to sleep, so, set
ting my traps on the seat to my satisfaction
l suddenly remembered that had nothing
to read, and called the guard to the win
dow that he might get me a book. Return
ing in a minute, he put into my hands
Bulwer's ''Strange Story" and as 1 gave
him the money, he said, 'Now we're off in
one minute, sir; 1 hope you'll like my
choice" Leisurely turning over the leaves
by the light of the carriage lamp, very
soon found that the work my friend had
selected was utterly distasteful to me, and 1
regretted having wasted my money upon it.
1t was story, as most people know. treat
ing of spiritual influences, a subject on
which was thoroughly skeptical. 1 soon
got tired of it; but it served its purpose and
sent me to sleep, and sound asleep re-
manned till the train stopped at Peter
borough.
Only partly awake, remember letting
down the window, and that several persons
in the crowd on the platform tried to get
into the carriage; one fellow. just as we were
starting, thrust his head so far in that 1
thought he was going to make harlequin's
leap for it. Drowsily congratulating myself
on having had the door locked, was drop
ping to sleep again when 1 suddenly discov-
cred was not alone. Who was that seated
in the opposite corner of the carriage? A
young lady assuredly. The dim light from
the lamp enabled me to discern that she was
in evening dress, with the hood of her opera
cloak over her head. She appeared to be
busy fastening her earring into her left ear.
elbow odd" Thought, ''that should not
have seen her get imp Here were my legs
still stretched across the seat with my rug
over them, and surely must have known if
she had passed me; and the door had GER
tainly never been opened. Very angry and
puzzled, determined to demonstrate with
the guard at the next station. What an
odd costume, too, for travelling, l thought;
couldn't make it out. The young lady was
very quiet and still, and as she appeared not
to notice me, I hardly liked to begin any
conversation. | sat watching her till sleep
again overlook me.
All at once the slackening of speed and
the shrill, horrible, hollow danger whistle of
the engine again disturbed my comfortable
nap, and lazily looking out, found to my
surprise we were not stopping at any station
and that outside nothing could be seen. A
darkness that might be felt was all that met
the eye when turned to the open window,
whilst the fresh damp air announced that
we were in the midst of country, and the
signing of the night breeze told of woods not
far off. Neither station, lights nor dwell
ings were to be discerned in the utter gloom.
A furtive glance across the carriage showed
the young lady still quietly sitting there
fidgeting with her earring, and not the least
alarmed at this interruption to our journey.
1 called to the guard as he ran by the mo-
ment we stopped, and, putting my head out
of the window, inquired what was the
matter.
''Nothing, sir,' he said cheerily; ''no
danger; only the lines blocked, and we are
waiting till they signal us to go on. ex-
pecu it's a goods that's being shunted. It'll
be all right sir, in few minutes" then
said in low tone,' ''What possessed you to
place this young lady in my carriage when 1
SO especially enjoined you to keep it empty?"
81 never let anybody in,'' protested the man
with surprise. GA young lady, do you sayv'
Springing on the step as drew my head
back he looked into the carriage and ex-
claimed, ''Why there's no lady there, STRIP
turned, and imagine my confusion-she
was gone! 'This passes my understand
ing" said I, ''for though I'll swear she was
there before spoke to you, there is GER
tainly nobody there now; she must have got
out" crossed to the further door and
tried it; it was locked sure enough I let
down the glass and looked out. but in the
darkness of course could see nothing. ''Why
you've been dreaming, sir" said the guard,
as |, looking somewhat small, resumed my
seat.
''Don't tell me-" cried 1, Indignantly, and
disguised at the absurdity of the position;
''I'm perfectly convinced that she was in the
carriage. Why, here is positive proof"
went on, as perceived and Immediately
picked up gold earring from the floor be-
tween her seat and mine. Amusement,
mingled with doubt and distrust, was plainly
depicted on the guards handsome counte-
nance as, regarding me with puzzled, half
comical expression, he said, after minute,
SsWall sir if rpa1lv baiava nor
l should advise your changing your car
riage."
"Why sop demanded in surprise.
Because it's well to be on the safe side,
sir, for Pve heard something of this kind
before. Young ladies are sometimes danger
GUS customers in trains, sir" he ad
ded, with the twinkle coming into his eye
again. AS l drew myself up somewhat in
dignantly he continued: "They say an
accident is almost certain to occur when an
apparition has been seen.'
So, opening the door, he began to collect
my bags and traps, while 1, perplexed, and
not without some feeling of alarm, alighted,
and followed him hastily along the side Of
the line. "You might have seen some la
dies and gentlemen, all dressed for party,
get into the compartment in front of yours
at Peterborough" resumed the man, az he
steered me by the light of his lantern over
tuC lOuSh Siouuu, hlu uilC nilu IuCil y IuCy
were: they were going to a ball at Grantham.
fancy you must have been dreaming, sir,
for certainly none of them got into your car
riage, though one did try; and as to appari-
tons, we'll" He did not finish the SEN
tence, for just then we found an empty COM
partment at the rear of the train; and the
engines whistle at the same moment an
nouncing the line clear, with but few more
words was very soon again locked and left
to myself.
My first act when the train was once more
in motion was to examine carefully the ear
ring so unaccountably found. The shape
struck me as curious. 1t was wheel sus-
pended from a birds claw which turned
when touched. Surely, as 1 told the guard,
this trinket was a proof that had not been
deceived or dreaming; at least, this was not
the apparition of an earring, at any rate.
What could it mean? The more / thought
of it, the more l was perplexed; and finally
put it away in my portemonnaie; and, with
mind wearied with puzzling over the
strange occurrence, at length fell asleep
once more-but not for long. Suddenly
was rudely awakened by a terrific crash and
shock which threw me violently forward,