The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-08-13
THE WHITE PHANTOM.

THE WHITE PHANTOM.
Major M ,rrtt Hill, a "bold dragoon'
in the service of his Majesty George
III, found himself. one dark and blus-
tering night III autumn, riding toward
London on the old York road. He
had supped with a friend who lived at
a village some distance off the road,
and he was unfamiliar with the coun-
try.
Though not raining, the air was
damp, and the heavy, surcharged
clouds threatened every moment to
pour down their contents. A good
horseman cares as much for the COM
fort of his steed as for his own ease.
70 add to the discomfort of the even
ing, there was some chance of meet.
ing highwaymen; but Major Hill felt
no uneasiness on that score, as, just
before leaving his friends house. he
had examined his holster pistols, and
freshly primed them. A brush with
highwayman would enhance the
romance of night journey.
The Majors horse began to give un-
mistakable evidence of distress, stumb.
ling once or twice. and recovering
himself with difficulty. At last dim
light suddenly appeared at turn of
the road The horse rricked up his
ears, trotted forward with spirit, soon
halted beside one-story cottage. The
Major rode up tv the door and raped
loudly with the butt of his whip
The summons brought sleepy cotter
to the door.
"My good FRIEND" said the Major,
"can you tell me how far it is to the
next inn?"
"Eh? 1t be about zeven mile, zur,"
was the answer, in the broad York
shire dialect of the district.
"Seven miles,! exclaimed the Major,
in tone of deep disappointment; "and
my horse is already blown! My good
fellow, can't you put him somewhere,
and give me a bed? l will pay you
literally for your trouble"
"Eh! goodness sakes!" said the rus
tic. II be nought but ditcher.
There be noa plaze to put the nag in,
and there be only one room and one
bed in the cot"
"What shall do?' cried the Major,
at his wits end.
"Pll tell zee, zur," said the rustic.
"There be voine large house on the
road, about a moile vurther on. It's
noa an inn, but the Colonel zees CON-
pany vor the vun O the thing-'cause
he loikes to zee company about 'un.
You must heard ov him-ColOnel
Lawrence-as used to be soger once. "
"Say no more" cried the Major. 81
have heard of this hospitable gentle.
man, and his having been in the army
gives me sure claim to his attention.
Here's a crown for your information,
my good friend"
The Major rode off, feeling an exhil-
aration of spirits which soon commu.
nicated itself to the horse. A sharp
trot of few minutes brought him tc
large mansion, which stood by the
roadside. Without dismounting he
piled the large brass knocker till a
servant in livery made his appearance
"Is your master up?" asked the
Major.
81 am the occupant of this house, u
said venerable gentleman, making
his appearance at the hall door.
II am benighted traveller, sir,
said the Major, touching his hat, "and
come to claim your well-known hospi
tality. Can you give me bed fol
the night?'
81 cannot promise you bed, SIR
said the host, "for 1 have but one
spare bed in the house, and that hap
pens to be in room that does NO
enjoy very pleasing reputation. II
short, sir, one room of my house 1:
haunted, and that is the only one, I'm.
fortunately, that / can place at youI
disposal tonight"
"My dear sir" said the Major
springing from his horse and tossing
the bride to the servant, "you en-
chant me beyond expression! 4
haunted chamberl The very thing
and /, who have never seen a ghost
What luck!"
The Colonel shook his head gravely
II never knew a man." he said, 1T
pass night in that chamber withou
regretting it."
Major Hill laughed as he took hi
pistols from the holster pipes "Wit
these friends of mine," he said, "
fear neither ghost nor demon"
Colonel Lawrence showed his gues
into comfortable parlor, where
sea-coal fire was burning cheerfully il
a CRATE, and refreshments most wel
come to weary traveller stood upon
table.
The Majors attention was draw
toward charming girl " twenty, tb