Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-04-08
regiment in state of unpleasant sus-

pense.
whats all the rowe" shouted the
Colonel from the window in his room.
he having been awakened by the I'M
usual commotion in barracks.
"The ghost has appeared again, sir, >
replied the adjutant.
"Have you caught him?'
''No sir"
''If you do, put, white sheet and all
in the guard-room. | should like
to see the gentleman" remarked
the Colonel, as he closed the sash OF
his window and then returned to his
bed.
That morning, at orderly hour, Col.
Morgan RENTED the unfortunate fell
low who, like myself, had been scared
by the mysterious visitant, for trial
by court-martial, declaring that he
would put an efectllal check on these
absurd fancies Of the sentrles; and ina
mediately before the usual parade
he delivered a most characteristic
warning to the regiment on the sub
ject. After describing the punish
ment which any practical Joker,
whether officer or private might ex-
|
ghost, the commanding officer furious
lY exclaimed: when a soldier is on
duty expect that he will stick to his
post, even supposing the Evil One
himself should make his appearance
will try by court martial any man
who dares to act contrary to my ex-
press isjudctions."
That afternoon. however, when the
guard mounted, the Adjutant private
ly gave orders that t. e oldest soldier
should be detailed for the second re-
lief on the haunted post, and this sell
ectiOn fell on a brawny Yorkshire
man, a Crimean and Indian veteran
named Sydes. Sykes at once intima-
ted it as his intention to have shot
at the specter; and being filed with
a superstitious belief in the efficacy
of a silver bullet when fired at visi-
tor from the world of spirits, vowed
that he would hammer up his days
pay of sixpence and place it in a cart
ridge, to make sure of ''doing for"
the ghost even although he knew the
operation referred to would spoil the
price of quart of beer.
The Sergeant of the guard having
seriously inquired of the Adjutant
whether, in the event of the figure
again in making its appearance, the
sentry would be empowered to fire at
it
ST think not the," officer laughing
ly observed. ''If it is a real ghost,
then I'm afraid bullet won't be of
much service. If it is a practical
joker, then we'll make it hot enough
for him without shooting him"
That evening at mess the appear
ance of the specter was the general
theme Of conversation among the
officers; but all of them, however, ex-
pressed their incredulity with regard
to tae story. A few of the youngsters,
whose curiosity was strongly excited
on the subject, made up their minds
to keep watch beside the sentry, so as
to pounce on the spirit when it made
it's appearance, and arranged to take
with them q pet bull dog belonging
to the Colonel, to assist In the opera
tiop.
"Won't you join us, sir9" asked a
young ensign, addressing the com
manding officer.
81 think not" he replied. ST am
tired, and shall 60 to bed. If you
catch the ghost-which I suspect is
likely to be one of the men-clap him
in irons and put him in cell. I'll
attend to him tomorrow.
When Col. Morgan left the mess
room, he visited the haunted post be-
fore retiring to his quarters, which
were close at hand After replying to
the sentry's challenge, he asked
Sykes:
Have you seen anything as yet2"
''Not yet, sir"
81 don't think that it is likely you
will either" remarked the colonel
with a laugh as he retired to his
room.
Shortly afterward, when the clock
struck 9, the young officers left the
mess-room and cautiously stole over
the barrack square to the place where
1.-The spirit held it's wont to walk. "
Poor Sykes was very glad of their
company; for, though he was a man
of undoubted pluck, and greatly re-
spected in the regiment Tor his pugil-
istlc proves. be was not at all bright
at the prospect of tackling the ghost
all by himself. He paced about on
his post, keeping lookout, and the
officers crouched under the shadow of
the wall; while the dog took up it's
quarters in the sentry-box. A little
before 3 o'clock they were starred by
the abrupt appearance of the appari
ton, which carried as before drawn
sword
''Who comes there?" shouted Sykes
bringing his rifle to the charge"
The specter made no answer, gu!
slowly raised its left hand to it's fore.
head.
The dog, with loud growl, ssrang
out of the box and rushed open-month.
ed at the figure; but when he ap
proachek it he began to wag his tail
and evlnced symptoms of great salts,
faction. The officers and the sentry
at once surrounded the ghost, and
found, to their most intense aston;sh-
ment, that it was no other than Col.
Morgan himself, attired in his night
, dress, IN state of somnambulism.
Aware of the danger of waking him