Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-04-09
THE GHOST OF A CHANCE,

THE GHOST OF A CHANOE'
a Strange story, ..I
THE whole affair sounds like the
widest romance. Granted. 1t is not
for me to 90 into the question of its
probability; 1 simply record certain
facts which have come under my no
tice. ...a.. ...H
Here is a young fellow, like scores Of
others, with Just enough property TO
live on and to deprive him of the spur
to exertion. A barrister, quite briedess,
dabblmg in art, literature and music,
and doing nothing with either. Among
other tastes he has one for quaint jew
elry-not for his own adornment, but
he collects it and possesses many curious
specimens, ancient and modern. i
know him very well, and he has often
shown me these treasures. One day
call on him after long vacation,
and find him throwing of slip after slip
of manuscript.
Excuse me five minutes" he says.
and / shall have finished. l have
made a wonderful addition, tony collec-
ton, and in the oldest manner.
am writing story about it, and--there
--that't the end OF the first part" He
has been soribbling awaywhile speak
ing; and now lays down his pen. You
shall read for yourself" " he goes on,
gathering up his manuscript, "how it
came about, and you will understand
why j am rather excited at recalling
this, the narrow escape and the stran-
gest adventure / ever had in my
life.n Then, lighting a cigar, and Civ
ing me another, he settles me in
an easy chair by the fire, and begins
pacing the room, while 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
satisfaction, | suddenly remembered
that had nothing 10 read, and called
the guard to the window that he might
get me book. Returning in minute,
he put into my hands Bulwer's "StrangC
Story and-Hs gave him the money
he said, ''Now we re of in one minute
sir; / 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 distasteflll to me
and regretted having wasted my
money upon it. II was n story, as
most people know, treating of spiritual
influences, subject on which | was
thoroughly skeptical. 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, ."'t
Only partly awake, 1 remember let.
ting down the window and that seyera
persons in the crowd on the platform
tried TO get INTO the Cariiage one fel
low, Just as we were starting. thrus
his head 50 far in that thought he wa
going to make o harlequin's leap for 1t
Drowsily cohgratulating myself on hav
ing had the door locked, / was drop
ping OFF to sleep again when | Isuddeni,
discovered was not alone. Who wa
that seated Ia the opposite corner o
the oamiageP AyOung lady, assuredly
The dim light from the lamp enable,
me 10 discern that she was in evenin.
dress, with the hood OF her oper
vher head. She appeared l.
stening her earring into he
vf.5 -.. ..N ..A
ld,p / thought, "that
We seen her get inp' Her
Nll Stretched across tn
rug over them, an
known II she passe
had certainly neve
" angry and puzzled
uonstrate with th
nation. What a
Nor travelling,
Nke il out. Th
quiet and still
80