The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-11-02
UNCLE SANS GHOST STORY.

cold, white rays of the full moon; far
away over hill and dale, through the
blre, hazy distance, we caught ever and
anoa 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
Whit from Herbert stronger than
all others, and I broke the silence
with:
Herbert, did you buy that pipe of
Dan!''
"Dan who?"
"Why, Mark Twains friend, who ad-
vertised it for sale as veritable relic of
the Witch of Endor."
"Oh! Mark Twain be hanged!''
II wish you were twain"
"Who, mel"
Eyes; You and your pipe"
IT wish you two would stop quarrel
ing" spoke up Ettie," and let Sam give
US ghost story"
ut must be a true and authentic one
then, said May, ''for Sam promised to
stick to facts in future"
rCan you do that, Sam?" asked.
Eyes, Puss," he said, eff agreeable
toall,"
We solemnly took the ayes and nays,
and announced "the ayes have it" and
the red glow of Uncle Sans weed
shining out from the shadows of the
clustered hop vines that wreathe them
selves about the pillars at that end of
the betokened meditation and
the coming tale.
"I'm sorry" began Uncle Sam, "that
owing to the restrictions put upon me
I can't make ghost story-one that
would beit 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. 1t
was about the change Of the moonsoons
in 1856, that 1 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
cherry voiced,
"Hello, Sam. old boy How'r y'r
getting on ?"
"Glad to see you," responded,
reused into new life by his pleasant.
merry 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 gin? Amt got
any? Ring the bell?"
"Yes." said. When are you going
up again9"
Tomorrow; and 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?"
"Ill see," and turned cut, when my
boy announced my bath, and ushered in
the gin and bitters in the shape OF one
of Tabor'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 Els
ship chandlery-a great stone warehouse
Just above the hotel--much resorted to
by ship masters. The building las
sejH before) was very large, and had the
aps hsranoe 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 q small door, which
opened into q passage leading to the
sfaircase OF Mr.. Els house, that stood
on the terrace above the store.
We found E. all alone, with tho ex
ception Of one or two Chinese boys, who
we're busy in the back part Of the store.
nov flooded with the yellow rays OF the
Getting sun, which poured in through
: he wide open front doors. Mr.. William
E. ian Englishmsnl had some time
before emigrated to Hong Kong. With
his Young vito and two children, and es-
tablished pretty successful ship-cban-
dlery. Finding that the tables OF the
allied officers in the garrison a.
Canton were not very we'll
supplied with Injuries by the
Chinese comprsd ores, he sent to England
81, III. brother Richard. who came ont.