Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-12
THE WHITE PHANTOM.

THE WHITE PHANTOM.
Major Nj ,rritt Hill, a "bold dragon"
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. lie
had suppcd with friend who lived at
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
a highwayman would enhance the
romance of a night journey.
The Majors horse began to give un-
mstakable 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 a one-story cottage. The
Major rode up to 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 a tone of deep disappointment; "and
my horse is already blown My good
fellow, can't you put him somewhere,
and give me bed? | will pay you
literally for your trouble"
"Eh! goodness sakes" said the rus
tic. 81 be nought but a ditcher.
There he 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.
"I'll tell zee, zur," said the rustic.
"There be voine large house on tho
road, about moile vurther on. It's
noa an inn, but the Colonel zees COM
pany yor 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 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 to
q large mansion, which stood by the
roadside. Without dismounting he
piled the large brass knocker till a
servant in livery made his appearance.
as your master up?" asked the
Major.
81 am the occupant of this house."
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 for
the night?"
81 cannot promise you bed, sir"
said the host, "for | have but one
spare bed in the house. and that hap
pens to be in a room that does not
enjoy a very pleasing reputation. In
short, sir, one room of my house is
haunted, and that is the only one, I'M
fortunately, that can place at your
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! A
haunted chamber! The very thing
and !, who have never seen ghost
What luck!"
The Colonel shook his head gravely.
81 never knew man." he said, ito
pass night in that chamber without
regretting it"
Major Hill laughed as he took his
pistols from the holster pipes. with
these friends of mine," he said, 81
fear neither ghost nor demon"
Colonel Lawrence showed his guest
into a comfortable parlor, where a
sea-coal fire was burning cheerfully in
CRATE, and refreshments most wei
come to weary traveller stood upon a
table.
The Majors attention was drawn
tnworh a ,.hnt,ninc rrirl nf fmanty tba