The Port Gibson reveille. [volume] (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1890-current, 1890-12-31
a HEADLEss GHOST.
An English Farmers cruci Revenge ON
His False Lady Love.

His False Lady Love-
About thirty miles south Of London, In
one OF the prcttiest parts of England, Is a
village called Shalford. Adjoining II is
large common, or public pasture. There
are few houses fronting on IL, prominent
among which there was, about twenty years
ago, rather singular looking edifce,
known 10 the village folk as the "Black
House." The name was apparently i'll
chosen, for the bricks were white and the
tiles bright red. But there was good
reason for tho name, as any local gossiper
was pleased 10 explain. The house had
been built by n farmer named somers
for the reception Of a young lady Of good
position who was shortly 70 become his
bride. The wedding day had been fixed.
But few days before the one fixed for
the wedding day the bride disappeared, and
few hours after her departure farm
hand in the employ Of Somers was also
sought for aud found not
Rumor coupled tho two names, and the
disappointed bridegroom started of in hot
haste in pursuit For several months the
house remained untenanted, but one night
lights were observed In the windows. The
next day there was much speculation as 10
whether Somers had returned or whether
life during the next nor the succeeding day,
and finally II was thought advisable TO force
an entry. Accordingly the local black
smith and Somcrs' farm bailil broke open
the front door. Tho house was found ex-
actly as left by somers when he started out
on his tour Of revenge, nor was there any
explanation TO be detected Of the lights seen
at night
~ o..o~f... A.. 4o,... ..,o-. o...t..
bright, and for several successive nights
the phenomenon was repeated. Finally a
committee Of three was appointed to investi-
gate. The members Of the committee were
the blacksmith. tho parish clerk, and an old
skcptic who believed IN no one but himself.
After eating a hearty supper at the village
Inn the trio Sc, out on their task. The clerk
was very nervous, the blacksmith defiant
aud the skcpiic sarcastic. The door was
forced open aud the men proceeded 20 in
vestigate. They made tour Of all the
rooms, rut discovered nothing The clerk
became reassur,d, the blacksmith sighed
for someone or something 10 fight, and the
skeptic threw IN an II told you there was
nothing every two CT three minutes.
But shortly before midnight the light Of
the lanterns Carried by tho intrepid inves-
tigators was supplemented by bright illu-
mination which seemed 20 hive no natural
source. Tho clerk looked at the black
smith, and even the skepuc felt himself at
fault Suddenly the first named sprang
I % his feet and rushed headlOng out into the
passage. along il 10 the front door, and
through IL on 10 the open pasture. The
blacksmith aud the skcpiic turned and
decided 20 follow his lead as best they
could. For, standing In the far corner WAS
a figure SC weird that not even the skuptic
could control his fears. IL was the figure
I Of a young woman, absolutely headless, and
cnvcloped In shroud Of surprising brill
iancy From this unnatural clothing the
\ mysterious light seemed 20 emerge. The
/ two men got away safely and cOrrcbcratcd
/ ihe parish clerks description OF the scent.
/ The story was not generally credited, but
again and again was the house rented, only
20 be vacated by each succeeding tenant
after one days occupation. Neither
Somers nor his false lady love ever reap
peared at Shalford, and when your corre-
spondent last saw Il the black house was
still unoccupied and was gradually falling
/. into ruins.