San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-06-13
THE GRAY GHOST.

In great, shapeless drifts about the house,
the wind roaring down the chimney and
rafting among the Ice coated branches
Of the great elms outside with sharp,
continuous sound like the noise Of
musketry. Within, the fire had burned
low, and the long. white curtains at the
windows, looking strangely weird and
unfamiliar In the dim light, shivered and
trembled as If, In some occult way, they
were in silent sympathy with the spirit
Of the storm.
De Wolf, who had been unmoved by
the tremendous uproar Of the elements,
went on with his story.
"It was on night not unlike this"
he said, "when I left Boston to stay
few days with Earle Russell at Gilsum.
You remember him at Yale--a very
good fellow, but with q penchant for
missions. He had married and settled
down as pastor Of little country church.
The wonder is that he did not go to
Nova ZembIa or Central Africa, but per-
haps his wife saved him from that.
However, he had found mission at
Gilsum, and as his wife had gone on to
New York to spend week with her
sister, Russell invited mo to keep bach
elor's hall with him during her absence.
Well, we were having cozy time Of 1t
together, when, one night, just as we
had settled ourselves in front Of the
library fire, with our cigars and news
papers, boy drove up to the door In an
old, unpainted sleigh, and announced
that one of Russell's parishioners, an
old man who lived in an outlying dis
trict, was dying, and wanted to see the
minister, OF course, Russell prepared
to obey the summons at once, and he
did not return till midnight. When he
came in, his hands were stiff with the
cold and his ears were half frozen, but
there was glow on his face, as he
threw off his overcoat and came forward
to the fire, which was something more
than simple satisfaction at being safely
housed again. / actually believe he did
not know whether his hands were cold
or not.
"'Well, he exclaimed, with bright
smile, Il have seen one more happy soul
start on its long journey. You've no
idea, De Wolf he went on, how 1t takes
away the fear Of death, If you ever had
it, to sec q good man die. 1t is such
simple thing, after all, and 1t is wonder
full how simply these people look at such
matters. When I entered the house the
old man was lying with his eyes closed,
but he looked up and smiled as took his
hand In mine.
"'"You are ready and willing to 60,
are you, deacon2" / asked, as his eyes met
mine.
"'The old man half raised himself on
MS elbow and replied in low whisper:
""Wal, to tell the raal truth, elder,
I'd rather stay where I'm better ac-
1uainted. You see, I've got used to things
here, an don't know as care about
making any change. But the Lord knows
pest, and I'm Willingness, I'm willing"
When the end came his old face bright
.ned into beautiful smile
"Two days after went with my friend
% attend the old mans funeral. About
,ix miles out, we drove up TO O lonely
arm house and alighted. The short, i'm
1ressive service was soon over, but 1t was
llready growing dark when VIC turned
,ur horses head homeward.
at had been showing In light, fitful
yusts all the afternoon, but when the sun
vent down the wind rose. and we found
ourselves Obliged to face beating. driv-
ng storm. The soft, treacherous snow
lakes had changed to sleet, that was
hurled at us as If with some flendish IN
ent. It was impossible to keep our eyes
pen, and Russell, holding the reins in
lis hand from force Of habit, trusted to
Providence and the horse and hid his
ace in his coat collar. In spite Of the
torn, however, we should probably
ave reached home safely II, at a turn IN
ho rood, we had not encountered a party
oming In the opposite direction The
wo horses, coming thus Unexpectedly
non each other, became frightened and
ute unmanageable. What happened
D the occupants Of the other sleigh ]
ever had the grace to inquire. but Rus
Ell and were both thrown out, and be
ore we could regain or feet our borsal
ad disappeared Fortunately or unfor-
rnatsly, as il may appear, the accident
ad occurred In front of the house Of one
{ RusseITs friends The good gentle
IAN hastencd b our assistance and in
.sted upon our coming into the bOuss-
AS We were thoroughly chilled, and
overed with snow from head % foot,
% willingly oousented- We we-e ush- ,
red into a brightly lighted parior.
here a younz lady, Who seemed 70 me.
ny possibly somewhat dazod o01di- {
On an enchanting vision q loveliness.
me forward 70 uact Us. made sg-le /: