The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-01-27

we Wcut lldt way. ~ hou ocCu u Val N
ish night, but just as opened the gate
the moon shone out.
I" Goodbye, SIR said Mr.. Haythorne,
in peremptory way that could not be
resisted.
Il said Goodbye and turned. but
hid behind tree TO see that he got on
safe, and there l saw this thing hap
pen
"The porch lay white in the moon
light, and as the old man was about To
open the door some one pulled it from
the inside, and out walked Potter, with
a grin upon his weasen face. ltchanged
as he saw the old man TO look of alb
ject terror. He shrunk aside, clasped
both hands over his eyes, uttered ter
rible cry, and flew down the path, STUN
bling in his confusion, and falling flat
upon his face amongst the petunias. !
looked back again toward old MIR. Hay.
thorne-he was gone.
The next mornirS all heard the news.
Old Mr.. Haythorne had breathed his last
at z o'clock. IcOnfess was startled, but
that was no ghostly arm that leant on
mine when walked up the path with Mr..
Haythorne the night before, and could
not agree with my neighbor, the hair
dresser, who declared that it might have
been an appearance
Lawyer Thursby had will in his
keeping that left everything to Potter,
but the date of mine was its safeguard.
They tried to prove the old gentleman
of unsound mind, but were merely
laughed at. My neighbor confessing
that he was not sure but that Mr.. Hay
thorne's ghost made the will that 1t
signed, but swearing to the night-cap
and dressing-gown as facts in silk and
linen, caused much laughter, but the
property went to the nephew. He was
generous and made a present to Potter
which prevented him from suffering any
thing, and he was better heir to the
old property than Potter would have
been. He made me legal manager OF
his estate, and we became great friends.
Nv friend, the hair-dresser, however,
had certain trouble ON his mind which
he confded to me.
" 1t did not come on in court said
he; but did you notice Mr.. Haythornc's
face when he signed that will that night?
Close shaved, not a spot on it, not even
blue
Yes said l, 4 did
IL shaved him after he was dead,
Mr.. Langley said the hair-dresser. in a
hollow voice. Il was called in to do il
about midnight, and he had Il beard
about an inch long. 1t had been grow
ing ever since he was taken down
:. If were you, Mr.. Farren,' said,
Il would not mention that to anyone, OF
permit Samuel to do SO. l know it to
be fact. but it is not fashionable to be-
lieve in ghosts
"A year ago Allan Foster died. He
lived too high--a gay, wild life-though
he was good fellow to the last. He
never married. The day before he pass
ed away he sent for ME.
81 shan't be alive Tomorrow he
said, and l want you to know the
truth.
&" My Uncle Haythorne died at half
past six. came down to see him by the
five o'clock train, and went up to his
room without being seen. No one was
there. He was awake and going fast.
%. "Allan," he said, ''you have come
to see me-"
90. Yes, uncle, said |. Il only heard
you were i'll yesterday.
:" ..f you had only come sooner, AL
LAM" said he. 1--WE been fool. / want
to change my will. Potter is a sneak.
He's anxious to have me die want
you to have my money now. Ada's on
ly son."
50 '.No matter about the will" said 1.
mo matter about the money. l can live
by my profession
"''Tve been prisoner" said the
old man. II have not been allowed to
see my friends. The doctor is a tool OF
Potter's. II am neglected, Allan. I've
been alone two hours and ] want some
water, dreadfully."
II gave him the water, and he put
his head on my arm and kissed me. He
died that way. Nobody came near us,
and / kissed him again, and crept down
stairs; but as passed the dining-room
saw Potter and the doctor stutling them
selves, and laughing; and then and
there, what with contempt of them, and
a wish to see my uncle's last wish car
ried out, as we'll as the natural longing
for money that seemed mine by right, l
hit upon a plan. l was an actor, asyou
know, and my line ~as old men More
over, I'm very like my uncle. L went
back TO his room, gave him one more
kiss-he was already cold-took his
gown, and cap, and slippers from the
wardrobe, made myself up, and came to
you. You know the rest. I've nobody
to leave my money to. Potter is dead.
You are rich man yourself. I'd have
been the heir in course of time, proba-
bly,, at any rate. Suppose we give this
money to the asylum. Nobody has a
legal right to it.
80 I'll make will for you to that eff
fect,' said 1, and SO l did.
MIR. Langley, said he, after the
will was executed, you don't owe
me a grudge for having been fooled, do
you"
Allan 1 answered, Il was fooled; I
don't deny it, but guessed it in week,
and I've felt sure of it for good many
years. I'll keep the secret. Get well,
my boy-get well, old friend
..But he died, and the asylum has the
property, and Mr.. Farren still believes
that he and his apprentice witnessed the
will of Mr.. Haythorne's ghost.
O.