Milford chronicle., 1885-08-21
THE WHITE PHANTOM


in the service of his Majesty George
III. found himself, one dark and blus'
tering night in autumn, riding toward
London on the old York road. He
had suppod 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 tC
pour down their contents. A good
horseman cares as much for the COM
fort of his steed as for his own ease.
To 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 IN
mistakable evidence of distress, stumb
ling once or twice. and recovering
himself with difficulty. At last a dim
light suddenly appeared at a turn Of
the road. The horse pricked 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 innP"
och? It be about zeven mile, Eur,
was the answer, in the broad York
shire dialect of the district.
"Seven milesT' exclaimed the Major
in tone of deep disappointment; "ant
my horse is already blownl My good
fellow, can't you put him somewhere,
and give me bed? will pay you
literally for your trouble"
'.Ehi goodness sakesT said the rus
tic. 81 be nought but a ditclfer
There be noa place to put the nag in
and there be only one room and one
bed in the cot"
"What shall I doP" cried the Major
at his wits end.
'I'l tell zee, EUR" said the rustic.
"There be a voine large house on the
road, about NOBLE vurther on. Its
noa an inn, but the Colonel ices COM
pany vor the yum O the thing-cause
he loikes to zee company about 'un
You must heard oY him-Colone
Lawrence-as used to be a sOger once.
"Say no MORE" cried the Major. %
have heard of this hospitable gentle
man, and his having been in the army
gives me a 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
a large mansion, which stood by the
roadside. Without dismounting h'
piled the large brass knocker till
servant in livery made his appearance
els your master up?" asked the
Major.
al am the occupant of this house,
said a venerable gentleman, making
his appearance at the hall door.
81 am a benighted traveller, sir,
said the Major, touching his hat, "ant
come to claim your well-known hospi
tally. Can you give me a bed fol
the night?"
81 cannot promise you a 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 no
enjoy a very pleasing reputation. II
short, sir, one room of my house Il
haunted, and that is the only one, un
fortunately, that can place at YOU
disposal tonight"
"NIy dear sir" said the Major
springing from his horse and tossing
the bride to the servant, "yOu en-
chant me beyond expressionl A
haunted chamberl The very thing
and I, who have never seen a ghost
What luckp
The Colonel shook his head gravely
81 never knew a man." he said, st,
pass a night in that chamber withou
regretting it."
Major Hill laughed as he took hi
pistols from the holster pipes. "Witl
these friends of mine," he said, "
fear neither ghost nor demon"
Colonel Lawrence showed his CUES
into a comfortable parlor, where
sea-coal FIRE was burning cheerfully il
CRATE, and refreshments most wei
come to a weary traveller stood upon
table.
The Majors attention was draw
toward charming girl Of twenty, tn