Wichita eagle., 1890-01-24
FRIGHTENED BY A GHOST.
A CHICAGO MERCHANT FURNISHES A
SHORT LIVED SENSATION.

A Newspaper Carrier BAcoQDters . Ghost
| with tho Form Of Human Being, Yet
| 1t Melts Away Bssors His Eyes-Baeked
| 1t was nearly O'Clock yesterday morning
when the night police reporters for the va
rious morning papers were preparing for
homeward trip There were thirteen men in
the room, and consequently a heavy and
onainous pail pervaded the atmosphere, cast
ing dark shadow over them When the
| telephone bell rang the jingle sounded harsh
| and unmusical. This message flashed across
| the wire:
Zone Of our newspaper carriers has seen
ghost several times. Look into it"
The man who had received the message
turned from the phone. His face was pale
and his form trembied.
Boys, I've got to interview a ghost, he
gasped-
We'll go with you" came In whisper
from between the clmched teeth of his reck-
less and determined companions. A party of
six was made up. The carrier who had seen
the ghost was questioned. he was bright
lad Of Is, and told hair raising story. Last
Monday while delivering papers with his
buggy he came across corpse in the street.
1t was a little after o'clock, and the streets
were absolutely deserted. The shock this
sight gave him quitsiInnerved him, but next
! morning he was at his work again. Hesgain
passed the spot on Leauitt street where the
corpse had lain, but there was nothing there
out of the ordinary. He turned the corner
into Madison street and jumped from his
buggy, as was his wont, and began zigxag
ging across the street delivering his papers,
4l,ah fr>ll. NJ L.
in the habit of throwing paper into the
hallway. At No. 700 there is sewing ma
chine store, and as the youth came from
across the street to throw his paper into the
hallway, he caught sight of white robed
figure in the store next door. Hepaid no at
tention to it, but disposed of his paper As
he started to get into his buggy, which was
now in front of the store, he heard the old
fashioned handle of the door rattle He
looked Through the door window and saw a
white figure, like human being and yet IN
like one. He saw it bat a moment. It melted
away, and all he could see was the bright
glow of burning coal in a large stove near
the middle of the store. With q FACILITATING
heart the boy left the spot.
HE SEES II AGAIN
This second shock was almost too much for
the carrier, but he had TO work, and the next
morning about 4:3O again approached the
hallway, this time with much misgiving No
sooner had he delivered his paper than the
specter again appeared The door ratified as
if key was being turned, and theghost van
ished suddenly. With a loud scream the boy
fed. A Waterman stopped him. The boy
took the Waterman back with him, but the
ghost did not show itself. The Waterman
was asked to be there next morning when tho
boy delivered his paper. He consented to
stand across the street. He too, saw the
ghost. Nor were they the only ones who saw
it. The horse which could not be Influenced
by any Authorization, also caught glimpse
of the strange vision, and with loud snort
dashed away from the spot.
This ghostly visitation continued every day
until the reporters heard of it and deter
mined to escort the youngster on his rounds.
"I'm glad there are lots of yer going, he
said, when told of the arrangements. A car
rage was secured and the reporters piled in,
the vehicle following the carriers buggy. at
Leavitt street both stopped and all alighted.
The boy was told to go ahead just as usual,
and the reporters were TO steal along in the
shadow Of the houses and surprise the ghost
Two policemen appeared just at this pooment
and stood across the street watching tho
strange actions of the reporters
1t was about 4:30 when the carriers horse
trotted up to No. 700 and stopped. A mo-
ment later the boy ran across the streetand
made dive for the hallway Of No. I'll. He
turned suddenly just as the reporters made
a run forward, pointed his finger at the door
way of No. 700 and cried:
''There it isl See it, See itT' He was in
tensely excited His hand trembled and his
eyes dilated The curtains on the windows
and door of the store were down almost ell
the way, but still tho reporters could see the
shadowy form Of a human figure standing
near the door. With an ear piercing shrek
the boy dashed across the street as fast as his
legs could carry him. The reporters and the
two policemen who had come up also ran.
In moment they returned, and the boy,
gathering courage again by their presence,
came back.
THE MYSTERY SOLVED.
There was a rattle of the door, the white
specter again appeared, the door opened and
it stood before reporters, policemen and the
carrier. 1t was At bayi The ghost had
materializedl
The specter did not wear coat or vest 1t
was hatless and In its stocking fest. 1t was
a short ghost With a long beard As the
frost laden breeze skurried down Madison
street it toved with that beard as with
Union Jack at masthead. Theg ghosts teeth
chartered as it declared Itself:
''I'm getting tired of being bothered every
morning. II you don't keep away from hefe
I'll have you arrested. What do you taka
me forf'
"a ghost." cried tbs chorus.
81 amt replied the specter i
eyes vouare,n cried the carrier. ''Haven't
you been getting up every morning and rat
Ting the doorp
The specter looked pityingiy On the argu-
mentative boy and said In an injured tone OF
voice: Il get up al 30 every morning toilet
in the newspaper carriers when they como
around"
Didn't you shake that door Yesterday at
4:15r insisted the younsster.
chilly blast from the west struck the /
specter with full force. It vanished, siam
ming the door behind it
At more seasonable hour it was again
seen. 1t was the proprietor Of the store.
"If had known that / was taken for
ghost this morning, would have had some 1
fun" he said. II have been In tie habit OF .
getting up every morning Just about the time
that boy comes around. / unlock the front
door 70 let toe other carriers throw IN tie I
different parers nv sons and / take. OF
course, I'm Ia my night shirt, and 60 back 70 i
bed. This morning did II as usual and saw
the crowd run though. it was drunEen
gathering and went back 70 bed When
heard voices / got up and listened IT'S an
lido. or soma che walking il his sleep l
heard somebody aay. lava pohcenan out