The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-06-16
There was a silence.
Select gtorg.
THE GHOSTS WILL.

"The first time | ever made will |
made it for a ghost" said lawyer, pour
ing out glass of port. "At least that was
the opinion of many people for long
while, and no doubt is yet. Ifyou care to
hear the story I will tell it, And first,
glance out of the window behind you and
tell me what you think of that bit of
property yonder. The handsomest house
and the handsomest garden in the place; a
piece of woodland behind it worth for
tune, and the town growing up about it
fast.
"When / first came here and went into
business for myself, young fellow whose
beard was just beginning to grow, old Mr..
Busch lived in that place, with couple of
servants. He was an old man of ninety,
but looked no more than sixty. He rode
about the country, gave big dinners to his
gentlemen friends, and dressed elegantly.
at was not thought-being miser-
that he had become so rich. He came of
wealthy family, and legacy after legacy
had been left to him. He had married,
but his wife died, and so did his only
daughter. He never thought of marrying
again, but he took nephew to live with
him; and everybody believed that he would
make him his heir. But the nephew was
no time server, and did as he pleased; and
somehow or other they had falling out.
"There was a sneaking fellow named
Potter about the house good deal, regu-
lar Uriah Heep, perpetually fawning on old
Busch, and always so 'umble.' He told
lies about young Allan, think, and made
his uncle think him reprobate; and when
the young man went down to New York
and became an actor, the uncle was led to
believe that he had gone. to the dogs. And
now it was well known that will had been
made in favor of Potter, and that the
nephew was left without penny.
'sThat had been good many years be-
fore, and Potter was waiting for old Mr..
Busch's shoes yet The nephew was a
man of forty years. 1t doesn't take long,
after all, to change from young to middle
age in this world, and Potter was quite
grizzled and had lost most of his teeth.
Old Busch had never lost one yet, and his
cheeks were like pippins. For all any one
could see, Potter might die first, but he
had lived at the mansion for twenty years,
and had all he needed and more than he
deserved, and no doubt thought himself a
lucky fellow.
"No one knows what the day may bring
forth. One morning, to the great sur
prise of everybody in town, a servant from
the mansion was seen rushing in hot haste
for DR.. Dockweed, and soon the news
spread through the village that old Mr..
Busch was dying. Potter went about try.
ing to look mournfui, and lots of people
were really sorry. was, though had
never spoken to the old gentleman, he was
such hale, happy, bright old fellow. The
first day he was worse; the next better
then worse again. Then they said he
might live; then he was unconscious.
'It was just after this report, late in the
evening, that l sat here, exactly where ]
am sitting now, quite alone, when the dool
opened and l saw figure enter leaning on
cane. 1t was great surprise to me to
see the next minute that it was old Mr..
Busch. He was in dressing gown and
slippers and had a night cap on, one Of
those pointed affairs that old gentlemen
used to wear; I'd seen him looking out Of
his bedroom window in it many time.
"'Good Heaven, Mr.. Busch, cried.
"sYou know me, see, he answered, in
a hollow, rattling voice, 'and you look as
tonished
a'I thought you too ill to leave your
room, sir, answered. I'm glad to sex
you better.
Don't waste time in compliments, Mr.
Van Buskirk, said the old gentleman. 4
have very little left, and want to gel
back TO the house there before they know
a'Can you make short will for me that
will stand?'
asYes, sir, said I.
@'Write this, then, said Mr.. Busch