Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1880-04-03
THE GHOST OF A CHANCE.
A strange story.

A Strange Story.
The whole affair sounds like the wild
est romance. Granted. 1t is not for me
to go into the question of its probability;
1 simply record certain facts which have
come under my notice.
Here is a young fellow, like scores of
others, with just enough property to live
on and to deprive him of the spur to ex-
ertion. A barrister, quite briefess, dab
bling in art, literature and music, and
doing nothing with either. Among 9TH
er tastes he has one for quaint jewelry-
not for his own adornment, but he col
lects it and possesses many curious spec
linens, ancient and modern. know him
very well, and he has often shown me
these treasures. One day call on him
after long vacation, and find him throw
ing off slip after slip of manuscript.
'' Excuse me five minutes" he says,
- and shall have finished. have made
wonderful addition, to my collection,
and in the oldest manner. I am writing
a story about it, and-there-that's the
end of the first part ;, He has been
scribbling away while speaking; and now
lays down his pen. g You shall read
for yourself he goes on, gathering up
his manuscript, g how it came about,
and you will understand why am rather
excited at recalling this, the narrow es-
cape and the strangest adventure ever
had in my life." Then, lighting cigar,
and giving me another, he settles me in
an easy chair by the fire, and begins
pacing the room, while 1 read as fol-
lows:
left Kings Cross by the night mail
on the 10th of last August. was out
of health, tired, and wanted to sleep; so,
settling my traps on the seat to my salts
faction, suddenly remembered that
had nothing to read, and l called the
guard to the window that he might get
me book: Returning in minute, he
put into my hands Bulwer's .s Strange
Story and as gave him the money,
he said, Now we're off in one minute,
sir; I hope you'll like my choice'' Leis-
urely turning over the leaves by the
light of the carriage lamp, very soon
found that the work my friend had,se-
lected was utterly distasteful to me, and
regretted having wasted my money
upon it. 1t was a story, as most people
know, treating of spiritual influences, a
subject on which was thoroughly skep-
tical. l soon got tired of it, but it served
its purpose, and sent me to sleep, and
sound asleep / remained till the train
stopped at Peterborough.
Only partly awake, remember letting
down the window, and that several per-
sons 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 Thought he was going to
make a harlequin's leap for it. Drowsily
congratulating myself on having had the
door locked, I was dropping off to sleep
again when suddenly discovered was
not alone. Who was that seated in the
opposite corner of the carriagep 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 ap-
peared to be busy fastening her earring
into her left ear.
not have seen her get inn Here were
my legs still stretched across the seat.
with my rug over them, and surely ]
must have known if she passed me: and
the door had certainly never been opened.
Very angry and puzzled, determined
to demonstrate with the guard at the
next station. What an odd costume.
too, for travelling, / thought; couldn't
make it out. The young lady was very
quiet and still, and, as she appeared not
to notice me, hardly liked to begin any
conversation, so 1 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 nv com.
Portable nap, and, lazily looking out, ]
found to my surprise we were not stop
ping at any station, and that outside moth.
ing could be seen. A darkness that
might be felt was all that met the eve
when turning to the open window, whilst
the fresh, damp air announced that we
were in the midst of the country, anG
the signing of the night breeze told o.
woods not far off. Neither station lights
nor dwellings were to be discerned in the
utter gloom. A furtive glance across
the carriage showed the young lady still
quietly sitting there fdgeting with hel
earring. and not the least alarmed a
this interruption to our journey called
to the guard as he ran by the momen
we stopped, and, putting my head ou
OF the window, inquired what was th,
matter.
+. Nothing, sir.'' he said, cheerily
mo danger; only the lines blocked
and we are waiting till they signal us t.
go on. 1 expect it s goods that's bein,
shunted- It'll be all right, sir, in few
minutes. III l then said, in low tone
What possessed you to place this youn,
lady In my carriage, when l SO especial
ly enjoined you to keep it emptyP'' :"
never let anybody in," protested tn
man, with surprise. 8. A young lady, d
you sayP'. Springing on the step as
drew my head back, he looked into tn
carriage and exclaimed, g Why, there
no lady there, siri''
I turned, and imagine my confusion
she was gone! s.This passes nv under
Standing said /, for though i'll swea
she was there before spoke to yot
there is certainly nobody there now; sh
must have got out. y L crossed to th
further door, and tried it; it was LOCKED
sure enough. | let down the glass an
looked out, but in the darkness, {
course, could see nothing. "Wh,
you've been dreaming, sir,'' said tt
guard, as I, looking somewhat small, r
sumed my seat.
s'Don't tell me" cried I, indignantl
and disguised at the absurdity of the %
sition; I'm perfectly convinced tn
she was in the carriage! Why, here
positive proof I went on, as 1 be
ceived, and Immediately picked up,
gold earring from the floor between h
seat and mine. Amazement, mingl,
with doubt and distrust, was plainly
picted on the guards handsome count
nance, as, regarding me with puzzle
half-comical expression, he said, aft
minute, ssWell, sir, if you really b
lieve you saw her, should advise yol
changing your carriage 'sWhy sol
I demanded, in surprise. 6. Because il
well to be on the safe side, sir, for T,
heard something of this kind befor
They say an accident is almost certain
occur when an apparition has be-
seen.''
So, opening the door, he began to cc
lect my bags and traps, while 1, pc
picked and not without some feeling
alarm, alighted, and followed him has
ly along the side of the line. "Yt
might have seen some ladies and gent
mon all drasSad for a Marty FRAT into n