Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-12-04

tract This contract was one for which a
number of rival manufacturers had put
in bids, and it had remained open on ac-
count of some little difference as to terms.
/ looked at my watch and found, to my
annoyance, that | had just missed the
train that would have enabled me to make
connection and get to Springfield late
that night / knew it was necessary for
me to be there before business hours in
the morning in order to beat my competi-
tors. So determined to drive over to
Pittsfied and there connect with the Bos-
ton and Albany night express from Troy
to Boston, which passes through Spring
field and would enable me to be there in
proper time. For this purpose | hired "A
horse and buggy, which ] undertook to
send back in good order and condition to
my friend, the Hudson livery stable keep
} er. | knew the direction in which | must
drive, but was quite unacquainted with
the road am, however, generally sue
, cessful in finding my way through strange
regions, and saw no reason why this in
stance should be an exception to the rule.
1t was one of those September nights
that might easily be mistaken for one in
April, The air was warm, but the wealth
er was squally and rainy. Black clouds
obscured the moon fora time, then would
follow shower giving excellent promise
of rain for the remainder of the night
But the moon encrcled by a halo would
again show itself, only to be once more
concealed from view. 1t was therefore
dark and light by turns, and after driving
eight or ten miles through thickly wood
ed and hllly country | fancied | was off
the road | stopped at IL farmhouse and
aroused the farmer from his slumbrrs,
much to his disgust.
"I'll give you Sl0," said, "to drive
with me as far as Pittsfield Pm not sure
, of the road, and Pm in a hurry to get
there.
He surveyed me carefully to make sure
that | was not u horse thief or tramp.
"Wa-al, mister, so is a good bit of mon
ey, but Pm an old man and don't want
/ to 90 myself. But if my son Pete likes to
go he KIN"
Pete did "like," and was soon on my
journey again. Pete was a tall, raw,
uncouth youth of about twenty. He had
very little to say, so at last ceased to talk
, with him. a large, thick cloud again
d passed over the moon, but no more rain
fell. We had passed the State line and
were skirting the hills towards Pittsfield,
and had reached Il winding road on each
side of which were trees. The clouds be-
gan to thin. ! turned to look at my com
2 panion. His gaze seemed to be fixed on
some object right ahead
"Why, man alive! What are you look
ing at :" | asked.
He did not answer, but he still gazed so
hard in the same direction that his eyes
seemed to be starting out of their sockets.
AL IillS moment lut moon came from DC
hind Il cloud, then Pete, giving vent to an
unearthly yell, jumped out of the buggy
= and ran back as hard as he could tear.
The sudden movement startled the horse,
: and had some difficulty i'll pulling him
= tn, and when ! had him in hand he, too,
showed Il disposition to shy. ! now saw
what had scared Pete. There was burial
! ground on the slope of II hill to the right.
The white tombstoneS were plainly visible
I through the trees, and on one grave stood
the tall, white figure of woman with
: long hair and flowing robes Her hands
: We're clasped and raised above her head
as if in prayer. twas a weird, unearthly
looking sight, and well calculated to
l brighten anybody. Then the ghost, for |
suppose | must so call it, swayed to and
fro and mOaned. | secured the horse and
buggy to Il tree and sprang over the fence
; that surrounded the burial ground
made my way up the hill towards where
: the figure stood. | do not believe in
l ghosts, have not the slightest faith in
; the supernatural and as have said be
, fore have no physical fear. My object
in investigating this strange appearance
2 was partly Il humane one, and partly GU
} riosity The figure was alive, there was
: no doubt about that, and IL was not Il
! spook there was still less doubt about
that was right before it, and | must
9 confess that the moonlight falling on the
white night-dress of the woman, in q
graveyard, too, did have II somewhat
startling effect Her face was very pale
She was handsome, and her deep blue
eyes seemed to be staring into vacancy
= She was evidently a somnambulist who
had wandered some distance from hel
, home-for there were no houses near
: and was in most dangerous position
/. with nothing but slippers on and thin
e garment in the damp night air. My MIND
e was soon made up rs to what was to be
: done. ! must find this woman's home
| and take her to it, | knew the shock il
, would cause if woke her, but there wa,
, no alternative. | seized her by the waist
e and lifted her from the ground; She
, awoke instantly, looked at me, shrieket
t family and then swOoned away. | kicket
. down the fence and carried her to The
Z buggy and wrapped the rug over hel
# shoulders, supporting her with my RICH
5 arm as ! drove iquickly along the road
determined to stop at the first house
{ saw. | knocked loudly ut the door of t
/ small frame cottage situated at the cor
0 ner of Il narrow lane. The young woman
Il was still insensible. \ middle-aged MAJ
:. put his head out of the window and i'll
Il quired what was the matter.
5 "l'Ve gotta young woman in my buggy,
. | said, "whom have just found wander
= ing in her sleep in the graveyard. Sh
If has tainted and is half-naked you'd bet
y let me in.
It ically, chat must be Mrs. Sherbrooke
l. She has never got over the death of he
II husband. I'll come down."
is laid my snowy burden on the sofa i
II the cottage, and the man and his wife
" applied restoratives. The young wdoN
y recovered consciousness, but appeared t
Il be quite dazed by the strange surround
h ings.
r II guess spoke the man, "the bes
ID thing for you to do, mister, is to driv
IS Mrs. Sherbrooke home. She lives in
s. brick house about a mile up the lane o
in the left Ill with if like I'M
N you can't miss it,"
rs Borrowing another blanket and putin
IN it around her ! drove towards til
! young woman's home. There was muc
commotion in the house. Mrs. SherbrooR
rs had already been missed, and her fathe
ed brother and the coachman were alread
IN on the point of starting in different dire,
ed tons to look for her. ! learnt that 81
70 had acquired the practice of walking
ne her sleep since the death of her HUSBAND
10 A careful watch was kept over her NOV
ld ments during night but she frequent
AT managed to evade all such precaution