The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-03-17

ton in nature to see him porting over Old.
dusty books of the law. Far better could
I picture him at the head If a regiment.
or leading an exploring party through
the wilds Of Africa Neyerthe iess. for
tune and the necessity OF earning his
bread had placed him were he was, and.
al things considered, ne made a good
fight of it.
I'VE had some tough work to get
through that evening preparatory to next
days business, before we could explore
the lovely scene around us; and not until
we had completed it and dined did we
set forth upon our ramble. Then a bro
Their barrister joined us, and we went out
on an exploring expedition.
"We followed for mile or two the
windings OF the stream, and Paul observ-
ed with longing eye, the lazy trout that
lay asleep in shoals in its clear, deep
pools. We watched the hawks and buz-
yards flying to their nests; and finally at
ter toilsome ascent Of one Of the high
est mountain points, we sat down and
watched the moon rise over as lovely a
scene as ever delighted the eye of man.
"lt was late in the night, OF, rather,
early morning, when we returned to
Plas Mervyn, and the old housekceper.
who opened the door, looked as If she had
been aroused from her first sleep; but she
most punctiliously did the honors Of the
place, and having partaken of cosy
supper which she provided, we retired to
rest.
II was never more heartily tired in
my life than when, having hastily thrown
off my clothes pauslng to lock the door
my invariable custom both at home
and abroad), I threw myself on the luxu-
rious springfield which awaited me. The
bed | had chosen layI along the wall
at right angles to that occupied by nv
brother whose feet, as he lay faced to the
door. have said that was much IA
tigued, and never did fall more quickly
into heavy and dreamless slumber.
Heavily as slept, however, was awoke
suddenly and complely awoke by the
word Ned! uttered in my brothers
voice. The moon was full-the room al
most as light as day, and, raising myself
in bed, [ beheld Paul also half raised and
reclining on his elbow, and between his
he'd and mine, but nearer to and facing
him, most distinctly saw somebody =
afgure-a tall, large figure, whether man
or woman l could not distinguish, with
some sort of loose drapery hanging round
1t. a- 49, -
"Hallop I called out, without mo-
ment's reflection. What's the matter2
Who is it?' and making a rush out of
bed, flung myself toward the unknown
person with some vague intention OF COL
laring burglar. 7,5
'To my amazement I rushed past it;
through it, as it seemed, to my brothers
bedside; and when reached 1t there was
nothing to be seen, no one but our two
selves visible in the room. I made a dash
al the door; it was locked, as I had left
it the night before; and that nc one had
lately passed through it had the evil
dence OF my senses to tell. For the first
time. an uncomfortable sort of chill came
over me, for had not only seen, but had
felt-so to speak-the presence Of third
person in the room, and I knew Paul had
seen it as we'll.
"'Paul, did you see him9' I asked.
"'Of course saw him, said Paul, that
was why called vou.'
"tWho is it?' I exclaimed. sWhat on
earth does it means The door is locked,
and no one came in that way. Are there
any secret doors in this room? Do get
up. and let us look M 81 .
"Your uncle then got up, and we com
menced thorough examination of the
whole place; moving the furniture, rap
ping on the walls, and searching every
crack and crevice, but without the slight
est result.
ut was a ghost, after all, old fellow!'
said Paul at length. Let us turn In
again, and never mind it. They are very
harmless creatures, and am too tired to
sit up, even for a ghost
$50 we did as he said; and being very
tired, were soon asleep again, and slept
soundly till broad daylight streamed in
to our room.
''The assizes lasted a week; and we
remained at our present quarters, en-
joying to the full the brief snatches
of country life, which our few leisure
hours enabled us to enjoy. It was a
treat after the stuffy air of London, and
we were disturbed by no more ghostly
vlsitations. We discussed the subject
sometimes, and almost persuaded our
selves that it was delusion--the result
of being over-tired in mind and body,
and that it was caused by an excited I'M
agination and overtaxed brain. 1t re-
auired an effort on my part to imagine
your uncle in any of the above conditions.
He was about the last man that I should
think likely to fall under an hallucina-
ton of any kind.
f" fit appears again, speak to it, Paul,
SAID. tits perhaps some poor creature
who cannot rest in his grave because of
an unredressed wrong (the old tale, you
know, and ghosts cannot speak until
spoken to- &
81 certainly will, he replied, if it
gives me the chance
''This was on the last day of our stay at
Plas Mervyn. We were to start by coach
early in the morning. had brief to
attend to, and resolutely remained in
doors that evening, while my brother
took his ramble. sat till very late in
my room, writing busily. Paul had
warned nae not to wait up for him; so,
when had finished my writing, and
found it was already twelve O'Clock, I
shut up for the night, and went to bed.
| must have slept very soundly, for I
have no recollection of hearing nv broth