Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-07-16
The PHANTOM.

MI The PHANTOM.
Mai. Merritt Hill, a "bold dragoon''
in the service of His Majesty George
ND III. found himself, one dark and
clustering night IN autumn, riding
tow0rd London on the old York road.
He had supped with friend who lived
at a village some distance off the road,
and he was unfamiliar with the coun-
try.
Though no. raining, the air was
damp, and the heavy, surcharged
clouds threatened every moment to
pour down their contents But the
major, though young man, was an
MI old campaigner; and with a warm
cloak wrapped about him, and a good
E horse under him, would have cared
very little for storm and darkness, and
E he felt sure of a good bed for himself
E and comfortable quarters for his
kM horse, when he had ridden far enough
f for the strength of his faithful ans
EM NAL.
E A good horseman cares as much for
Nh the comfort of his steed as for his own
E ease. To add to the discomfort of the
EY evening, there was some chance of
r% meeting highwaymen; but Mai Hill
| felt no uneasiness ON that score, as
Just before leaving his friends house,
he had examined his holster pistols,
| and freshly prilned them. a brush
MI with a highwayman would enhance
Ri the romance of night journey.
E So he logged along; but mile after
E mile WAS passed. and no twinkling
E light in the distance gave notice of
III the appearance of the wished for inn
M The MAJORS horse began to give UNI
mistakable evidence of distress.
Stumbling once or twice, and recover
ing himself with difficulty. At last,
dim light suddenly appeared at a
turn of the road.
The horse pricked up his ears, trot-
E ted forward with spirit, soon hating
| beside one-story cottage.
The major was disappointed, but he
Nj rode up to the door and raped loudly
n with the but of his riding>whlp. The
summons brought sleepy cottager to
III the door.
MY good friend" said the major,
''can you tell me how far it is to the
next innl"
81 "Eh it be about zeven miles, Eur, y
ID was the answer, in the broad York
shire dialect of the district.
Seven miles I" exclaimed the ma
or, in tone of deep disappointment;
"and my horse is already blowE Ny
81 good fellow, can't you put my horse
u somewhere, and give me bed / will
n pay you literally for your trouble"
q "Eh goodness zakes ~ said the rus
tic. Il be nought but a ditcher
4 There be noa plaz: to put the nag in,
u and there be only one room and one
bed in the cot
4 What shall do y cried the major,
at his wits end
'Ill tell zee, zur,n SAID the rustic
scratching his head violently, as if to
extract his ideas by the roots. There
be voine large house on the road,
about a MOLE vurther on. It's noa an
mn, but the colonel ices company vor
the vun @ the thing-'cause he loikes
to zee company about 'un. You mast
heard ov hIm-Col. Lawrence--as
used 10 be a soger once"
Say no more cried the major
] have heard OF this hospitable gem
teman, and his having been in the
army gives me sure claim to his at
ientlon. Here's crown for your IN
formation, my friend. Come, Prince "
Touching his sieed with the spur
the major rode off, feeling an exhil-
aratlon of spirits which soon com
municated itself 10 the horse. A sharp
trot Of few minutes brought him to
large mansion, which stood unfepc-
ed, Ike a huge caravansary, by The
roadside. He made for the front
door, and without dlsmounting, piled
the large brass kEocker till a servant
IN livery made his appearance.
is your master up2' asked the ma
jor
II am the occupant of this house, ="
SAID a venerable gentleman, making
Als appearance at the hall door.
Il am benighted traveller, sir, y
said the major, touching his hat,
and come TO claim your well>known
hospitality. Can YOU give me a bed
Tor the night9 | am afraid my four
looted companion is hardly able to
carry me to the next nm"
II cannot promise you a bed, sir, y
said the host, "for ! have but one
pare bed in the house.
And that said the major
Happens TO be IN a room that does
not enjoy a very pleasing reputation.
In short, sir, one room IN my house
Is haunted, ard that is the only one,
unfortunately, that / can't place at
Your disposal 10 night.
My dear sir. said the major,
sprnging from his horse and tossing
The birdie to the servant. you enchant
me beyond expression A haunted
Chamber The very thing-and /,
VINO have never seen a ghost! What
lJckm
The colonel shook his head gravely.
i never knew man, he said, to
Iass night in that chamber without
regretting ibn