The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-08-31

my nlnllE. anu SllOllu nave enjoyed IL
so much. My family is not old enough
probably for a ghost, and if it were, am
not good at telling stories; listening to
ally as to ghosts. what very strange
sensation they must produce"
"A strange sensation, indeed" said
Mikailitsch, rising to light another cigar.
"Ah! you know it by, experience.
Lucky man.. Have not guessed right
lvo"
Mikailitsch sat down again.
eyes, some such thing dld once hap
pen to me, and it has left an impress
sion"
do tell it to us! It is midnight or
very near it; there is a wild storm out
side; everything is appropriate to a
ghost story, and to have it from the sut-
ler's own lips.
Madame Mikailitsch smiled. "Ah, COL
onel, what a boy you are, with your
love for the marvellous! like to hear
strange stories, too, but [ fear this one
will be very stupil!'
'Stupid! my dear lady,
'Coulu we not talk of something else:
Lam sure there are plenty of subjects
for conversational
"She is afraid Of my story, l see"
"No, am not so silly as that"
eff the story would annoy anyone, Of
course say no more" said the disap-
pointed colonel.
1T S really quite immatcrial to me
whether he tells the story or not. | on
ly thought something else might afford
us all more entertainment
''Iou permit me, then. to relate it,"
She SIlrug ed her shoulders. II care
very little about it one way or the 9th
err
''Do let him tell it; you may find your
self very deeply Interested
1.-The story, the Story, by all MEANS"
exclaimed Sergei.
Madame Mikailitsch closed her eyes
and leaned further back i'll her chair,
the colonel filled his glass again and the
host assumed IN attitude Of attention.
about ten years ago. began the mar
rator, sat Il time when I was so unfor-
tunate rs to be still bachelor with a
bow to his wife, l was ,liged to 20 to
Nariloff on business. Variotf is coun-
try town, which, at that time, after hay
ing been tlourishing little place, had
gradually fallen into decay, owing to its
not being on the line Of the new rail
road. Fancy d"
why need we fancy anything? We
| all know what such towns are" said his
wife, in tone Of remonstrance. elbow
DO YOU spin things out"
"Well, then, allow me to say that
arrived ut the little town in QUESTION in
the evening and asccrtained that the
two hotels, once toierably we'll known
by travellers, were now closed and their
got respectable dinner. AS my stay
was to be of about a weeks duration
| took some trouble to find a
lodging not wishing to tax the hospi-
tality of the persons with whom [ had
business. Inquiring in all directions
| accidentally learned that one of the no.
| tells was in the care of an old couple,
t-'',, would probably give me shelter.
Thither I fastened and found the old
| people.
"'Yes, sir, I can give you room,'
| said the man. All the upper stories are
| closed, but there is a room next to the
| parlor, which will show you
Talking a bunch of keys from a nail
| on the wall he assembled a broad, bare
| staircase. I followed close behind We
passed long rows of closed doors, and,
after much effort, he succeeded in open
Aid the shutters being thrown open |
found myself in somewhat spacious
| apartment, almost empty, bearing marks
on the dust-coyered floor of having held
billiard table in former days.
" Through this we reach the room
| you are to have. My wife will put it in
! order for you at once
| 1.-THE second room was dusty little
| place, containing Il round table, a few
hairs, sofa, an iron bedstead and mat
trcss, and against one wall a long piece
of furniture resembling piano-one OIL
those old-fashioned things with tall, slen
der legs.
can old dulcimer,' said my compan.
ion. There Happened to be no bid Tor it al
the sale, SO here it stays, poor old thing
! it is in no-body's way in its old age.
used to play on itmyself sometimes'
| ''1e opened it; the old strings vibrated
in a.weak, rickety way as he touched the
| notes.
| "'A very sympathetic instrument tc
| play on. It excites one in a melancholy
| way added he, with a sigh, and, closing
| it, turned away. Il hope the room viii
suit yo1. Come down stairs and have
some tea while Agatha comes up with
her brushes, sir."'
''Now we shall here how he drank tea
with the old man." said the lady. ~
never knew he was so good story tel
! Ter"
pardon me. I will endeavor to be
brief. I will pass over the tea-drinkine
1t is the same all over the world"
You are rather severe upon you1
husband" said the Colonel. "NowI, or
the other hand, when I here a goo.
story: like to have it spun out as
much as possible. I dislike to omit &
single detail. The interest never flags il
YOU here everything described"
At this juncture the wind blew the bal
cony door violently open, admitting 6
blast of cold air as well as dazzling flasl
Of lightning. The host rose quickly anC
shut the door again. The lady turned
pale.
Are you afraid?" asked he.
eff so, l am not the only one. saw
ali you three men start"
The most courageous persons will
sometimes start at anything sudden anc
unexpected" said Mikailitsch.
"Let me see," said the colonel, "yor
left oft where you told us that you would
not tell US about the tea-drinking. Pleas.
to continue"
"By all means. I spent two hour
with the old man, while his wife, assist
cd by an old crony of hers, put my room
i'll order. At 10 o'clock they summoned
| llIc, OHCA1lS " AisIC u} way. DluulN;
the old man good night, l followed thu
women. The apartment had assumed
very different aspect. The dust hac
| been removed from the floor and the
furniture. could see myself in the
glass, and even my travelling bag had
come in for its share Of the general pu
rification.
90 Good night, SIR said Agatha. 'Yo,
will not be afraid. suppose yoa mer
are afraid of nothing Here the othe
old woman uttered some words to thu
effect that she would not pass night il
that end of the empty old house for
hundred rubles.
care there rats?' Iasked.
":"There used to be, but they have lef
the old place long ago.
Good night again, sir. Shall knock il
: the morning or do you wake of your
~ can wake, thank you, good night.
LEFT to myself, I unpacked my ba
. and in half an hour was in bed. 1 hat
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