The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-06-16

Farren.
"sGo on said Mr.. Busch.
"'We heard that you were dead, sir,
not ten minutes ago, replied Mr.. Farren,
"'Ah they reported that, did they? 1
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
"I am eight o'clock, said Mr.. Farren.
"'Eight,' I repeated, looking at my
watch.
"'I'm always FAST said the boy; but
I'm five minutes past eight
Remember that, all of you, said Mr..
Busch. Mr.. Van Buskirk, give me your
arm to my door,
"There was path at that time across
lots from my side door to his back porch,
and we went 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
preemptory way that could not be resisted.
"I said 'Good-by, and turned, but hid
behind tree to see that he got on safe,
and there l saw this thing happen:
"The porch lay white in the moonlight,
and as the old man was about to open the
door some one pulled it from the inside,
and out walked Potter, with a grin upon
his weazen face 1t changed as he saw the
old man to look of abject terror. He
shrunk aside, clasped both hands over his
eyes, uttered terrible cry, and flew down
the path, stumbling in his confusion, and
falling fiat upon his face amongst the Pc
tunias. l 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 l was
startled, but that was no ghostly arm that
leant on mine when walked up the path
with Mr.. Busch the night before, and l
could not agree with my neighbor, the
hair-dresser, who declared that it might
have been an appearance.
Lawyer Thursby had will in his keep
ing that left everything to Potter, but the
date of mine was its safeguard. They tried
to prove the old gentlemen of unsound
mind, but were merely laughed at. My
neighbor confessing that he was not 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 prop
erty went to the nephew. He was gener-
GUS, and made present to Potter which
prevented him from suffering anything,
and he was better heir to the old property
than Potter would have been. He made
me legal manager of his estate, and we be-
came great friends. My friend, the hair
dresser, however, had certain trouble on
his mind which he confded to me.
1T did not come up in court, said he;
'but did you notice Mr.. Rgsch's face when
he signed that will that night? Close
shaved, not spot on it, not even blue
"'Yes,' said I, 4 did
L shaved him after he was dead, Mr..
Van Buskirk,' said the hair-dresser, in a
hollow voice. Il was called in to do it
about midnight, and he had beard about
an inch long: It bad been growing ever
since he was taken down.
"'If were you, Mr. Farren, said, 4
would not mention that to any one, or per-
NIT 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 Bus
kirk, taking some more port-"a year ago,
Allen Busch died. He lived too high-a
gay, wild life-thoush he was q good fell
low 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 1 want you to know the truth.
"'My Uncle Busch died at 81! 1 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 and
going fast.
"'Allen, said he, "you have come tc
see me"
"'Yes, uncle" said I. 81 only heard
you were ill yesterday"
a'If you had only come sooner, Allen,
said he. "I've been a fool. 1 want tc
change my will. Potter is sneak. He'i
anxious to have me die. Want you tc
have my money now. Ada's only son"
emo matter about the will, said 1
''No matter about the money. | can liEf
by my profession
"' I've been prisoner" said the ole
man. 81 have not been allowed to see my
friends. The doctor is a tool of Potter's
II am neglected, Allen. I've beer
alone two hours, and 1 want some water
dreadfully."
~ gave him the water, and he put hi
head on my arm and kissed me. He died
that way. Nobody came near us, and
kissed him again and crept down stairs
! but as I passed the dining-room I saw