Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-03-14
THE GHOST OF LORRINGTON

Just outside the little village of Ever
ingham, In the East Riding of York
shire, stands Brouncey Hall, picturesque
old mansion, which had for generations
been the home of the Lorringtons. Each
successive squire had passed his life
there in good old English fashion, rid
ing, driving, shooting, hunting, occasion
ally varying the quietude of existence by
visit TO town, but never long away from
his country home. Loved and respected
by his tenantry, feared by wrong doors
in general and poachers in particular, he
passed his days in contentment, and
ended them in peace. But at last this
serenity was broken. The fifth Squire
Lorrington was blessed-cursed would
be the better word. but the other is
ortLodoX-with an only son, who from
birth was the apple of his fathers eye.
He was a prodigy-at least, his father
thought so-born to eminence, and
whose destiny it was to climb the ladder
of fame, and imprint the name of Lor-
rington in lasting letters on the front
page Of the annals of his country
Spoiled, pampered and petted, every
within gratified, his natural viciousness
developed.
And so he advanced in years, his ma
tural tendencies growing stronger and more
Marked until the time came for him to 90
to the university. His were to be all the
honors that Cambridge could bestow, and
there was to be no limit to his scholastic
achievements and successes. Well it was
that his fond father did not live to see the
downfall Of all these hopes and expecta-
tlons, and i'll was the day for Brouncey
and the young squire himself when he
took control of the estate. Gambling and
indulgence in every species of extravaganza
living soon involved him in monetary
difficulties, and acre after acre of the
estate had to go, until one day he awoke
to find every available acre of his patri-
mony gone, the Hall mortgaged to its full
value, his creditors clamorOus for money.
aud himself penniless. Like the coward
that he was. afraid to face his position,
he locked himself in his bedroom, and in
a moment of desperation blew out his
brains
1t was not long before the Hall and
few roods Of land surrounding it passed
into the hands of quiet family named
Leigh, who soon came to be liked and
respected by every one with whom they
came IN contact. The old house began
to brighten up, and as the Leighs were
hOspitahlc folks it was rarely that they
were without 4 few guests. Especially
in winter were the visitors numerous, and
joyousncss and mirth prevailed every
where. The story Of young Squire Lor-
]
mon knowledge, and the room where the
tragic affair was enacted WIS under lock
and key, and no one ever entered. There
was al especial reason for this, which
was superstition first adopted by the
servants, and which vas so strong that
it had gradually aud imperceptibly be-
come cOuntenanCed By the whole family,
that sometimes on winters night, when
the wind was high, the ghost of the
young squire, clad in Il shroud of snowy
whitcness, would seat itself in the
bows of the old yew-tree, branch of
which almost touched the window, and
would every now and then leap out and
rattle at the panes. at the same time
emitting a hoarSc, dismal moan, as if IN
fearful anguish. The foundation of this
tale had been laid by Martha, the old
housekeepcr, who one night bolted into
the servants kitchen in an agony of
fright, and averred that she had seen and
heard all this.
On Il winter evening 4 few years ago
more than usually merry party were
seated round the drawing room fire Of the
H@ll, when the conversation turned on
superstition, and naturally very 5000 to