Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-01-11
FRANCIS vsLt.tEH.s GHOST;
Or. thu Ennocens rork People,
from Redpath's weesly.l

-
faced man, taking the pipe out of hls
mouth and addressing me as we sat to.
getLer one winters evening in the fire
place III the commercial room Of the
Gresham, in Sackville street.
u am tired, l replied, YEARLY.
Been travelling ?"
Eyes, | have just come from Cork"
mice place, Cork, said the dark faced
man, CHANGING Mt me from under his bushy
eyebrows.
"Well. yes, it is, said I, "a fine city"
Very Innocent people, these Cork peo-
pie, said the dark-faced man, whilst he
slowly refilled his meerschaum.
"Yes," [ replied, "they are and
warm, good -natured people. like them
very much"
But innocent--they are innocent.
aren't they?" he asked again, rather curl,
ousy.
"Well, I dare say they are, " eaid I. rot
overpleased with his assertiveness on the
subject.
Yes of course they are he said, sen.
tentiously, and then relapsed into silence
You have been in Cork 2" | asked.
not satisfied to let the conversation drop
Yes. was, young man once"
"You seemed to have admired them
very much?"
"Of course / did. Who does not
Iney have many charming virtues-inno-
cence and simplicity being about their
greatest.
felt there was story behind the speak
ers words, so l simply said:
Chow did you come to learn and to feel
80 strongly the existence of these auali
ties from one visit ?"
perhaps you are too tired to listen to
It, 1t is rather long story"
Not ct ali" said /, quickly at is
Just what should like of all things. We
shall fill our pipes, and if you will allow
me to replenish these tumblers-"
"All right" said he, ego ahead"
When we had filed our pipes. taken
few pulls and few sips from The smokina
tumblers that stood at our Respective ei2
bows. the dark-faced man commenced
One fine autumn evening, about thirty
years ago, was travelling on horseback
from Mlllstreet to Cork.
felt tolerably tired and was looking
out for some wayside inn where I might
pass the night, when sudden and violent
thunder storm came on. Ny horse. terri
ned by the lightning, fairly took the bri.
die between his teeth and started off with
me at full gallop through the lanes and
GROSS, roads, until at length 1 managed TO
pull him up at the door of neat looking
country-inn. o
well, thought, 'there was wit in
your madness, old boy, since it brought
us to this comfortable refuge" And,
alighting, ] gave him in charge to the
stout farmers boy, who acted MS bostler
When entered the kitchen Of the hmm.
BILE hotel. l found a number of travellers
gathered round the fire waiting for SIM.
per. joined the party.
Presently, being summoned by the
hostess, we all sat down, twelve in nnm.
Der, to smoking repast of bacon and
eggs. civ
The conversation turned on the mis-.
haps occasioned by the storm. of which
every one seemed to have his full share
One had been thrown off his horse nm.
other, driving in gig, had been unset If
muddy ditch all had got Thorough
wettlng, and agreed unanimously that il
was dreadful weather-a perfect witches
Sabbath.
Witches and ghosts prefer for thei,
Sabbath fine, moonlight night to sucl
weather as this p
Inc words were uttered in n solemn tone
oy one OF the company. He was tall
iair-looking man, and appeared to be !
commercial traveller.
The next neighbor, who was n CAV
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT young man, burst
INTO q peal OF laughter, saying:
You must know the customs of ghost,
very well to be able to tell that they dis
Ike getting wet or muddy"
Inc first speaker, glancing contemptu
ously at him, said
., You shouldn't speak SO lightly o.
things beyond your..comprehension."
Inc young man stood up, flushed wifi
anger but resumed his seat, saying calm
THAT taunt would cost you dear, were
1t not such foolish one. :"
ioollsh one" exclaimed the other
s,.nmrow'ng on the table leathern purse
Inere are nity guineas, which | am con
tent 10 lose' II before the hour is ended
90 not succeed in showing you the form
OF any one OF your friends, and after vol
nave recognized him you will let him presl
his dead lips against yours"
We all looked at each other but m,
plisd 10
"You will do that-will youp"
Eyes" said the other, If Won will ma,
similar sum if you lose" ~
After short silence the youno mn,
said. gaily: A'
Fifty guineas, my worthy soroerer
are more than poor college stndsnt sva
possessed but here are five. which i
ger" H'S W ~a
. The other 9TH took up his purse, saying il