The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-04-03

1 haunted post; and this selection fell on a hrawny Yorkshireman. Crimean and 1 Indian veteran named Sykes Sykes at i once intimated 1t as his intention to l have shot at the spectre; and being i filled with n superStitiouS belief in the ] efficacy of a silver bullet when fired at 1 Il visitor from the world of spirits vowed 1 that he would hammer up his days pay ! of siXpence and place 1t in a cartridge ! to make sure of doing for the ghost, l even although he knew the operation l referred to would spoil the pricc of i quart of beer
 ! The sergeant of the guard having seri- ! ou>ly inquired of the adiutant whether in the event of the figure again making l its appearance the sentry would be en- l powered to fire at if
 l Il think not, the officer lauchingly 1 observed If il Is real ghost, then ! I'm afraid a bullet won't he of much ser ] vice, If it k q practical joker, then We Il mako i, hot enough for him with out shooting him
 ] That evening at mess the appearance of the spectre was the general theme uf l conversation among the officers. but all ! ot them. however. expressed their in- I eredulitN with regard to the story \ | few ot the youngsters whose curiosity was strongly excited on the subject, made up their minds Ia keep watch be- side the sentry, so aS la bounce on the spirit when it made its appearance, and arranged to take with them pet bull l dog belonging to colonel to assist in the operation.
 Won't you join Us, sir asked 1 young ensig ga, addressing the command ing officer
 l think not, he replied "i am tired, and shall go to bed If you catch the ghost-which suspect Is likely to be one of the men-clap him in irons and put him in cell Il attend to ] hlm tomorrow
 1 When Colonel Morgan left the mess room, he visited the haunted post before retiring ;o his quarters which were close at hand After replying to tn" sentry K challenge, he asked Sykes Have YOU seen anNthing vet 7
 Not yet, sir, replied thr man
 don't think that it k likely you will either remarked the colonel with laugh as he retired to his room
 shortly atterward, when the clock struck two, the young officers left the mesS-room and cautiously stole over the barrack square to the place where :. the 1 spirit held his wont ta walk Poor ! Sykes Was very glad ot their company for though he was man of undouhtcd pluck, and greatly respected in the reg lment for his pugillstie proweSS, he was not at all bright at the prospect oi tack ling the ghost all by himself llcraerd about on his post keeping sharp look out, and the officers crouehcd under the shadow of the wall while the dog took up its quarters i'll the seutry-box \ little before three they were startled by the abrupt appearance of the apparition, ! which carried as before drawn sword Who comes therr2' shouted Sykes. bringing his rifle to the charge
 The spectre made no answer hut slowly raised it's left hand to its forehead
 The dog, with Il loud growl. sprang out of the box and rushed open-mouthcd at the figure hut when he approached II he began to wag his tail and cvinced symptoms of great satisfaction The officers and tn" sentry at once sur rounded the ghost, and found to their most intense astonishment. that 1t was no other than Colonel Morgan himself. attircd in his night-drcss. in d state of somnambulism
 Aware of the danger of waking him while in that condition, they followed him to his room, whithcr he almost inn mcdiatcly returned and there they saw him shcathe his sword and return to bed seemingly oblivious of their pres l ence
 Next morning he was appriscd of the circumstances of the case, and the poor ! colonel nut lH ccrned on learning the nature of the malady of which he had been an uncon- -cious victim. of course his first action was to write an explanation to the gen eral, with request for my release, and his next to publish in regimcntal orders his regret for the trouble he had unwit- | tngly occasioncd
 Several red-tape formalitic- had to be gone through and il was some days be ] fore was astonished and delighted by an intimation from the prison governor 1 that was free; and was handed over to the charge of a corporal, who had been sent to bring me to my regiment 1 Whenever l entered the harrack 1 was ordered to proceed at once to the com manding officers quarters Colonel Morgan shook hands with me, and cx- pressed his extreme concern that he had been the innocent cause of my having been subjected to such ignominv
 No wonder that l frightened you my lad, he observed with 4 rmil" Af ter informing me that he was about to proceed on leave-with the intention of undergoing course of medical treat ment to cure him of his dangerous pro pensity to walk in his slccp-he pre- i sented me with five pounds by way of solatium; and further gratiticd me by saying that having ascertain"d was of good character and well educated he had that day placed me in orders AS having been appointed lance-corporal Always behave yourself, my lad, and l shant forget you said the colonel and left his quarters perfectly over. joyed with my good luck scarcely be