Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-12-22

''Let us take the lamps out of the
room, the story will seem ever 50 much
moro real" says one OF the laughing
girls who enjoy nothing 80 much as the
blood.curdlipg which arises from tho
contemplation of tho supernatural.
So the lamps are removed, and the
glory of the scarlet Goals and flickering
freight only half illumine the large
room. with its dark wainscotings and
deep window embrasurcs.. As The tale
goes on the fire grows lower and lower.
Shadows gather in the corners and
creep in among the silent group of
listeners. The old mans voice has
strange, weird quality in il, like that of
the sea when it whispers to sands
where there are graves, or around
rocks where there have been wrecks;
like that Of the wind when IL means in
the chimneys of haunted houses, or in
ghostly woods where some murder has
been committed in years gone by.
Perfect silence regns. But Just rs
the interest of the tale is at its height,
and the young people are clinging to
each other with awe stricken looks, tho
fire flashing into sudden life shines on
face framed in one of the window
panes, the face of one who has been
buried in the old graveyard behind the
church nearly eight years. The eyes
are fixed upon Elsie with an eager,
searching glance for moment and
then the lame and it vanish together
into the darkness.
Elsie, who has met the glance with
her own eyes, utters wild, scared cry,
and falls fainting into the arms of her
companions. Shrieks sound from diff
ferent portions of the room. u
"John Norton, if ever l see him in
my life. Why, his face was rs plain Us
daylight is heard in awed whispers
! from every side.
The Squire. who has been drawn to
the room by the screams of the women.
on learning the state of affairs, rushes
Immediately to the front door, and there
upon the steps, with his hand upon tho
| knob of the door-bell, stands the ghost
John Norton.
The Squire involuntarily takes a few
steps backward. and stands in speech
less amazement and fear.
''Happy New Year, Squire! You
don't seem very glad TO see me- come
from the ghost in hearty, most un-
ghostlike tone. II am afraid | fright
cned the ladies in the parlor 1t was so
dark that ! didn't think should be
seen" -,.,
"Who in the world are you?" in,
quired the Squire, looking somewhat
relieved. ss r -,.gl- --.a
Don't you know John Norton? Have
changed beyond recognition in these
eight yearspp
:" But you-but John Norton is dead, ;
said the Squire, with chilling femem-
brances of what he had read about ma
terialistic spirits in his mind. - q
\ The ghost laughed merrily. Ih
Il IF i am dead, ! am profoundly ig-
norant OF the fact" said he, land am
surely John Norton
! Elsie, who had recovered from, her
faintng fit, at the sound of his voice
rushes into the hall, and is Immediately
folded in his warm, strong arms.
"Ghost OF man, you are my John, y
she says, ~ E
Several ladies became hysterical at
this point, and the squire in state
of the widest excitement walked TO
and fro. rubbing his hand across his
forehead in dazed manner.
.What is the matterpn inquired John,
FINALLY releasing Elsie from his embrace,
but still holding her closely by the
y hand. 81 know that was reported
drowned, but how many sailors have
come back under the same circum-
stances"
"But you are buried in this town. |
went to Boston myself and identified
Your bo ". Haye-havcn't you seen
Your graye-stoneP
John stared at the squire in blank
amazement.
mo, | can't say that have A man
: doesnt often see such sight What do
you meanP'
l. "Why, a body was picked up from
the wreck of your ship, which Captain
Graves, who knew you very well, took
to be yours. The face was disfigured a
good DEAL but the body had on a coat
with your name sewed into the lining.
1t had the same mark on the left
hand, and the hair. complexion. height
and size correspondent exactly with your
own"
at must have been poor Thompson.
, Everybody took hm TO be my brother.
, He was very much like me certainly. |
, was saved by II miracle, and was taken
on board ship bound for Australia.
. FL W. -F
"Rut, John. why did you not come
home before?" said Elsie, loosening
. her hand from his grasp, and regarding
, him with reproducing dignity.
because | heard that Elsie Newell
{ was married to Tom Rollins. | heard
: it from his brother, whom saw often
4 while in Melbourne. Tom has known
J lthat | was living all the time, the
, scoundrel He left town as soon as he
+ heard that was on my way home.
) hoped to find him here, for l have al
, account to settle with him.
{ "He is. indeed, a scoundrel,' say:
7 Elsie; "but, John, this is New-Year':
0 Eve, and we are SO happy, let us for
give him. let us forgive everything
5 that WINS painful in the past, now tha
Y We are TO commence the New Year to
: gether. Surely, it cannot fail TO be ,
;. happy one.'
Y "Amenr' exclaims John lANt -
But the squire says after a moment
? meditation
n "Ncw-Year's Eve or not, daughter
s believe if that man doesn' keep on
: of my way, i shall throttle him. Bal
$ ioRs Magazine. II rrgr
A Word OF Advice.