The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1884-01-24

r dark wainsc0ilngs and deep windows on
8 bfasufss Al the tale goes 90 Tho NJ
/ grows lover sad loser Shadows gaihs
/ in the ccrIen and creep Ia among The u
! leu, gfoup % llssenars ITO old mar
/ Voice has strange, ucirl quality ~ \
/ like ,hat cf the sea whom i, whispers !
, sands where there are graves. or aroun'
. rocks where there have been wrecks; liz
| that Of Tie wind when il mohns III ID
chimneys of haunted honses or in Rhos,l
wood whore ssme murder has been com
miiiod in years gone by.
! Perfect silence reigns, But Just as ih
interest Of The tale is at its height, and ,h
young people afr ciinging 70 each osho
with awe and stricken looks, the fire flash
ing into sudden lifo shines on fac'
framed in one Of the window panes, th,
face Of enc who had been buried 10 ih,
old grave yard behind the church nearl,
eight years The eyes are fixed upor
Elsie with an eager. searching glance fol
a moment, and then the fame and ii van.
ish together into the darkness.
Elsie, who has met the glanco with hei
cwn eyes, utters wild scared cry, and
falls fainting into tho arms Of her com.
panious. Shrieks sound from different
portions OF tho room.
John Norton. il | ever soc him in my
life. Why his face was as plain as day.
light" is heard in awed whispers from
every side.
The squire, who had been drawn TO the
room by the screams Of the women, on
learning the state Of affairs rushes immo.
ately to the front door, aud there upon
the step, with his hand upon the knob
OF the door bell, stands the ghost
Norton!
The squire involuntarily takes q few
stops backward, aud stands in speecbloss
amazement and fear.
Happy New Year. squirrel You don't
seem very glad to see me. came from the
ghost in hearty, most unghostlika tone.
II am afraid frightened the ladies 10 the
parlor. II was so dark that didn't think
should be seen. !"
"Who in the world are you inquired
the squire.
Don't you know John Norton? Have
/ changed beyond recognition in these 8
years?'
"But you-but John Norton is dead. "
said the squire, with chilling remembran-
COS OF what he had read about materialastic
spirits in his mind.
The ghost laughed heartily.
III am dead, am profoundly igno
rant Of the fact, and am surely John Nor.
ton.
Elsie who had recovered from her faint
ing fit, at the sound OF his voice rnshes
in TO the hall, and is Immediately folded
into his strong arms.
"Ghost or mIi, You are my John, said
she
S.seral ladies become hysterical at this
poin,, aud the squire, in state OF the
widest excitement walked to aud fro
rubbing his hand across his fore head in al
dazed manner.
"What is the matter?' inquired John.
finally releasing Elsie from his embrace,
but still holding her closely by the hand,
81 know that | am reported drowned
but how many sailors have come back un.
der the same circumstances.
"But You are buried in this town. !
went to Boston myself and identified your
body Have --havn't you seen your grave
stone?"
John stared at the squire in blank
amazement.
mo, L.eeat say that have. A man
doesn't Often see such sight What do
you mean?''
why, body was picked up from the
wreck OF your ship, which Capt. Graves,
you knew very weflisfovk to be yours
The face was disfignssd great deal, but
the body had on coat with your, name
sewed into the lining 1t had the same
mark on the left hand. and the hair, COM
plexlon, height and size corresponded
exactly with yours.
1T must have beou poor Thompson.
Everybody took him to be my brother,
He was very much like me certainly.
was saved by mir cle, aud was taken ON
board ship bound Tor Australia. -
"But, John, Why did sou not come home
befors2 Sad Elsie, looseuins her hand
from his grasp, and regarding him with
rsproachful dignity.
because heard that Elsie Newell was
married to Tom Rollins. heard it from
his brother, whom saw often while in
Melbourne. Tom has known that | was
living all the time, the scoundrel! Hs left
town as soon as he heard that was on my
way home. hoped to find him here. for
| have au account to settle with him.
He is, indeed a scoundrell," says H.
sic; "but John this is New Years eve. and
We are 50 happy, let US forgive him. Let
us forgive everything that was painful 10
The past, nov that We are to commence
lhe new year together Surely, il cannot
Iail to be happy one. I"
''Amenl exclaims john
- -
The Fiorida Everglades.