The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-06-23

sir, not ten minutes ago, replied MIR.
Farren
"'Ah! they reported that, did they
thought as much, said Mr. Busch.
'Mr. Farren Mr.. Van Buskirk, Samuel,
take out your watches, said the old
man, family, and tell me the time
az am eight o'clock, said Mr..
Farren.
Eight l repeated, looking at
my watch.
"Tm always fast, said the boy;
but I'm five minutes past eight.
Remember that, all of you,'
sad Mr.. Busch. Mr.. Van Buskirk,
give me your arm to my door.
There was a path at that time
across lots from my side door to his
back porch, and we vent that way.
1t had been a darkish night, but just
as opened the gate the moon shone
out.
"Good by, sir said Mr.. Busch,
in a pree mptory way that could not
be resisted
Il said 'Good-by, and turned,
but | hid behind a tree to see thai he
oot on safe and there | saw thi,
thing happen:
"The porch lay white in the moon
light, and as the old man was about
to open the door some one pulled it
from the inside, and out walked Pot
ter, with grin upon his weazen face.
1t changed as he saw the old MAJ to
a look of abject terror. He shrunk
aside, clasped both hands over his
eyes, uttered a terrible cry, and flew
down the path, stumbling in his con-
fusion, and falling flat upon his face
amongst his petunias. | looked back
again toward old Mr.. Busch He
was gone.
The next morning we all heard the
news. Old Mr.. Busch had breathed
his last at seven o'clock. | confess
| was startled, but that was no ghostly
arm that leant on mine when walked
up the path with Mi. Busch the night
before, and | could not agree with
my neighbor, the hair dresser, who
declared that ii might have been an
appearance
Lawyer Thursby had will in his
keeping that left everything to Pot
ter, but the date of mine was its
saf; guard. They tried to prove the
old gentleman Of unsourd mind, but
were merely laughed at. My neigh
Dor confessing that he was 1ot sure
but that Mr. Busch's ghost made the
will that he signed, but swearing to
the night cap and dressing gown as
facts in silk and linen caused much
laughter, but the property went to
the nephew. He was generous. and
made present to Potter which pre-
vented him from suffering anything,
and he was a better heir to the old
property than Potter would have
been. He made me legal manager
OF his estate. And we became great
friends. My friend the hair dresser,
however, had a certain trouble on his
mind which he contided to me.
"'It did not come up in court,
said he; but d d you notice Mr..
Busch's face when he signed that will
that night? Close-shaved, not spot
on it, not even blue.
"'Yes,' said |, 4 did
"I shaved him after he was dead,
Mr.. Van Buskirk,' said the hair
dresser, in hollow voice. q was
called in to do it about midnight, and
and he had beard about an inch
long. 1t had been growing ever since
he was taken down.
"'If | we're you. Mr.. Farren,' |
said, 4 would not mention that to
any ore, or permit Samuel to do so.
know it to be a fact; but it is not
fashionable to believe in ghosts
"a year ago." continued Mr.. Van
Buskirk, taking some more port-"a
year ago, Allen Busch died. He
lived too high-a gay, wild life
though he was good fellow to the
last. He never married. The day
before he passed away he sent for
me.
"I shan't be alive tomorrow he
said, and want you to know the
truth.
"'My Uncle Bush died at 6H. |
came down to see him on the 5
o'clock train, and went up to his
room without being seen. No one
was there. He was awake nd going
fast.
"Allen, said he, "you have come
to see me-
"Yes, uncle said |. Il only
heard you were i'll yesterday
"If you had only come sooner,
Allen said he. I've be a fool.
want to change my will. Potter is a
sneak. He's anxious to have me
die. I-want you to have my money
now. Ada's only son.
"No matter about the WILL" said
l. NO matter about the money. |
can live by my profession
"'I've been a prisoner said the
old man. 4 have not been allowed
to see my friends. The doctor is a