Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-04-08
in state OF unpleasant sus-

he having been awakened by the un-
usual commotion in barracks.
1.-THE ghost has appeared again, sir, ="
replied the adjutant.
'Have you caught hing
mo sir"
'Tf 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 effectlial 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
iect. After describing the punish
ment which any practical joker,
whether officer or private might ex-
pect if caught in the act of playing the
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 irjudctions.
That afternoon. however, when the
guard mounted, the Adjutaut private
| ly gave orders that tie oldest soldier
should be detailed for the second re-
! lief on the haunted post, and this sell
ection fell on brawny Yorkshire
man, q Crimean and Indian veteran
named Sydes. Sykes at once intima-
ted it as his intention to have a shot
at the specter; and being filled with
superstitious belief in the efficacy
of 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 cart
ridge, to make sure Of doing for"
the ghost. even although he knew the
operation referred TO would spoil the
price of a quart OF beer.
The Sergeant of the guard having
seriously inquired of the Adjutant
whether, in the event of the figure
again in makingit its appearance, the
sentry would be empowered to fire at
! it
81 think not the" officer laughing
" observed. "If it is a real ghost,
then I'm afraid bullet won't be of
much service II it is 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 the 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 pouuce on the spirit when it made
| its appearance, and arranged to take
with them pet bull dog belonging
to the Colonel, to assis. in the opera
ton.
Wont you join us, siri' asked a
young ensign, addressing the com
manding officer.
81 think not, " he replied. 81 am
tired, and shall go to bed. II you
catch tho ghost-w which l 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 yet9"
Mot yet, sir.
81 don't think that it is likely you
Will either" remarked the colonel
with laugh as he retired to his
room.
Shortly afterward, when the clock
struck ?, the young officers left the
mess-room and cautiously stole over
the barrack square to the place where
1.-The spirit held its won't 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-
lsuc prowess, he was not at all bright
at the prospect of tackling the ghost
all by himself He paced about on
lis hOols ping - hOCAOAAf AAN AAAt
officers crouched under the shadow OF
the wall; while the dog took up its
quarters in the seutry-box. A little
before o'clock they were starred by
the abrupt appearance OF the appsri
ton, which carried as before a drawn
sword.
"Who comes therein shouted Sykes
bringing his rifle to the charge"
The specter made no answer, hut
slowly raised its left hand to its fore
| head.
The dog, with loud growl, sprang
out of the box and rushed open-month-
ed at the figure; but when he ap-
Proachek il he began to vag his tai
and evIRced symptoms OF great salts
faction. The officers and the sentry
at once surrounded the ghost, and
found, to their most intense aStonish-
meut, that II was no other than Col.
Morgan himself, alured in his night
dress, Ia a state of somnambulism.
Aware OF the danger OF waking him
while in that condition, they followed