The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-10-29
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 read. He
had supped 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
horsenan 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 bis holster pistols, and
freshly primed them. A brush with
highwayman would enhance the ro-
nance of a night journey.
The Majors horse began to give un-
mistakab)e evidence of distress, stumb-
ling once or twice, and recovering
himself with difficulty. At last dim
light suddenly appeared at a turn Of
the road. The horse pricked up his
ears, trotted forward with spirit, soon
halted beside one-story cottage. The
Major rode up to the door and raped
loudly with the butt of his whip. The
summons brought a 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. r.
"Seven milesp exclaimed the Major,
in tone of deep disappointment +;
"and my horse is already blownl My
good fellow, can't you put him some
where, and give me bed? l will
pay you literally for your trouble"
"Eh2 Goodness sakesw said the
rustic. Il be naught but ditcher.
There be noa place 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 the
road, about moile vurther on. It's
noa an inn, but the Colonel zees com.
pany vor the vun o the thing-'cause
he loikesto zee company about 'un
You must heard ov him-Colonel
Lawrence--as used to be a sogel
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 on his attention
Here's a crown for your information
my friend
The aaior rode of, feeling an exhil
aration Of spirits which soon commu
nicated itself to the horse. A shar,
trot Of a few minutes brought him t
a,large mansion, which stood by tn,
roadside. Without dismounting h,
piled the large brass knocker til
a servant in livery made his appear
ance.
''Is your master upY' asked the Ma
jor.
II am the occupant of this house,
said venerable gentleman maxim,
his appearance at the hall door.
Il am benighted traveller, sir,
said the Major, touching his hat, "an,
come to claim your well-known hospi
tality. Can you give mo a bed for tn
night?'
II cannot promise you a bed, sir,
said the host, "for have but one spar
room in the house, and that happen
to be in room that does not enjoy
very pleasing reputation. In short
sir, one room of my house is haunted
and that is the only one, unfortunate
ly, that can place at your DISPOSE
tonight"
my dear sir" said the Major, spring
ing from the horse and tossing tn
bride to the servant, "you enchar
mebeyond expressionl A haunte
chamberl The very thing--and
who have never seen a ghostl whs
luckp
The Colonel shook his head grav
ly.
Il never knew man." he said, a
pass a nightin that chamber withol
regretting it.@
Major Hill laughed as he took Ii
pistols from his holster pipes. "Wit
these friends Of mine,H he said, II fet