Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
GRANDFATHER'S GHOST.
A seSPECTER" VISIT THAT UN-
 YELLED A FORTUNE.
The Shot Fired at the Ghost Smashes a
 Mirror.

The Shot Fired at the Ghost Smashes
 Mirror.
 On the 29th of August, 1884, Elijah H. Berry, well-to-do farmer resid- ing in Pollard, Mass, died from the effects of a cold occasioned by being tucked in Moves Pond while fishing several days previous, when his boat capsized. He was man of very simple habits, and although member of the orthodox church, still, in the simplicity of his dress, greatly resembled a mem- Der of the Society of Friends. His apparel became we'll known through out Hampden County, and consisted of long frosk coat of gray material, with a similar textured vest, corduroy pantaloons and low-crowned, broad brim, Horace Greedy style of hat. We'll, MT. Berry died and left his wealth. some $75,000, according to his own figures along with his farm, to his daughters and grandchildren.
 The only money found was num- Der of bonds and securities in bank, along with some $2, 800 in cash, in all amounting to little over $6O,OO0. No trace of the remaining $15, ,000 being discovered, it was supposed to have 70 existence. By the will all the property was divided among ten persons. Charles Berry, the son of the old farmers only boy, who died away back in 1862 in the army, was willed the homestead and the residue of the estate. This would include the $15, ,OOO.
 Mrs. Berry, Jr., waited to sell the farmers old Quaker suit, but her hus- band objected, SO it was hung up along with his wife's clothes in the garret. Last Saturday night, while in bed, Mir. Berry and his wife got talking about the lost money. The hall door stood open. The bed standing in an alcove faced long, old-fashioned, ob- long mirror, which was screwed into the chimney over the mantel-piece. Any one lying on the bed could plainly see the hall door in the glass. The baby was restless, so the lamp was burning dimly on a table near the door, thus throwing it's light into the hall.
 It was about II when Mrs. Berry suddenly grasped her husbands arm. s'Harkv' said she. He listened and heard the garret floor above their heads cleak slowly as to soft and stealthy footballs. The next instant a soft tread on the stairs, accompanied by a slight rustling, proved that the person or thing was descending the stairs. Out of bed bounced the hus- band, and, opening the bureau draw CT, he took out his revolver. He had reached the foot of the bed when, step- ping into the open entrance, full in the sheen of light from the lamp was the figure of his dead grandfather as plain as in life, wearing his famous old coat and hat. His wife saw the apparition and uttered shrill shriek. The ghostlike figure turned quickly as if to flee, and in the excitement of the moment MT. Berry lifted his revolver and fired.
 There was tremendous chatter ot glass, for the ghost was reflection in the mirror. When he had recov- cred sufficiently, MT. Berry made a rush for the hall, but the figure had disappeared. The kitchen door was found open, but no attention was paid to this, so certain was Mir. Berry that he had seen 8 ghost. Next morning the news got noised abroad and was the cause of much speculating, as we'll as amusement at MT. Berry's expense. The second day after (Monday) Mir. Berry took down the mirror, which was disfigured, to put in a new glass. To his astonishment, behind the mir TOT, built into the chimney, was a small iron safe-like door which was looked.
 A blow from 8 hammer shivered it., and there slowed away in pigeon holes was the lost $15,OO0 in bonds and greenbacks, where the cautious old farmer had placed it five years before. The following day Constable Walker arrested peculiar-looking parsonage. He wore a rather ill-fitting, still most comfortable suit of gray cloth and cor duroy brooches. These so badly com pared with the remainder of his ex- terior as to arouse the suspicion that he had stolen the garments, and he was taken in charge.
 At the lookup some of the old citi- zens declared the clothes were those of Farmer Berry, and Mir. Berry identi- fled them. The prisoner said his name was Julius Cesar Bragg, and acknowl- | edged that he had stolen them on Sat urday from MT. Berry's house and took them in exchange for his old togs. IT, 1uoc Mr. Rrouo vuhon, Mir Rorrv