The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-09-14
UNCLE sAm,s GHOST STORY.

over the som DER l8nuScbpo, tuo AiOuohou
roofs of the farm houses reflected the
cold, white rays of the full moon; far
N#ray over hill and dale, through the
Blue, hazy distance, we caught ever and
anon the glisten of the ocean waves; up
on the mountain side the little grave
yard stones shone out, ghost like, from
the dark surroundings and vainly sighed
their phantom tidings through the dark
alleys of the igrove, and the whispering
wings of mid-summer's night breeze
swept over all, and waited the sweet (?)
odor of Herbert's "dhudeen" right into
my eyes and nose, bringing my wander.
ing ideas back to our group, sitting out
in the old south porch, cooling off, pre-
paratory to the bovine mutt. Another
all others, and l broke the silence
with:
Herbert, did you buy that pipe of
Dan!"
"Dan who?"
"Why, Mark Twain's friend. who adj
vertised it for sale as veritable relic Of
the Witch of Endor."
"Oh! Mark Twain be hanged!"
II wish you were twain"
who, mel"
'Yes; you and your pipe.
81 wish you two would stop quarrel
ing," spoke up Ettie," and let Sam give
us ghost story"
''It must be a true and authentic one
TEN, said May, ''for Sam promised to
suck to facts in future"
"Can you do that, Sam?' l asked
"Yes, Puss," he said, eff agreeable
to ALL"
We solemnly took the ayes and nays,
and announced "the ayes have it!' and
the red glow of Uncle Sans weed
shining ont from the shadows of the
clustered hop vines that wreathe them
selves about the pillars at that end of
the porch-be tokened meditation and
the coming tale.
I'm sorry" began Uncle Sam, "that
owing to the restrictions put upon me
can't make ghost story-one that
would befit the night-but must tell you
one of the two which have come under
my own observation. and to the truth Of
which can bring reliable witnesses. It
was about the change Of the moonsoons
in 1856, that I was laid up in Hong
Kong with an attack of nothing to do,
and was staying pro tenn. at the Oriental
Hotel. Early one morning, my friend.
Harry c., broke in on me, and woke
me out CT sound slumber with his
Acherry voiced,
"Hello, Sam, old boy! How'r y'r
getting on ?"
"Giad to see you," I responded,
re1sed into new life by his pleasant.
mltry presence. Dear old chap what
Happy way he had of dropping in be
: fore one was up, and asking after ones
health and the bitters.
Just down from Canton; came down
to attend to little consular business for
Perry. Where's your gin9 Amt got
any? Ring the bell?"
eyes," said. When are you going
up again?"
Tomorrow; and 1 want yon to go up
with me. We can have jolly time. for
o. P is going down to see Uncle
Jim E. at Macao, and attend to the
cargo of the Black Prince which will
leave me in full charge Of the consulate
for over week. Will you go?"
"I'll see," and turned out, when my
boy announced my bath, and ushered in
the gin and bitters in the shape of one
of Tsbor's best cocktails. After swal-
lowing his ''tod," he left, promising to
drop in on me at dinner, and get my
definite answer as to whether would or
would not accept his invitation.
Prompt ON time for sherry and worm
. wool came Harry, and over one OF mine
host Tabor's good dinners We talked OF
old times, latest home news and about
town matters; after which, lighting our
manillas, we strolled up to Bill E--s
ship chandlery--a great stone warehouse
Just above the hotel-much resorted to
by hip masters. The building las I
said before) was very large, and had the
appearance of having once been church.
II bad stone floor and two small CALLER
les, but NO openings for the light except
the don ble-front doors and two small
windows beside them; under the left
hand gallery was small door. which
opened into . passage leading to the
staircase OF Mr.. Els house, that stood
on the terrace above the stole.
We found E. all alone, with the ex
ception Of one or two Chinese boys, who
we're busy in the back part Of the store.
now flooded with the yellow rays OF the
setting sun, which poured In through
he vide open front doors. Mr.. William
E. ian Englishman) had some time
before emigrated to Hong Kong, with
I'D Young wife and two children, and e.
/ tabiished pretty sucoessful ship-chan-
| dlery. Finding that the tables OF the
Allied Officers in the garrison ~
~ vorV WQII