Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-10-24
A MODERN GHOST.
THE STORY OF JOHN LINDSAYS s WISH
AND ITS UNPLEASANT QUALIFICATION.

Mr.. and Mrs. John Lindsay sat to-
sitting room in their pleasant little house
at Merose Highland.
II should not be afraid of a ghost if l
should see a live one, said John, put
ting down his evening paper.
"Why, ghosts never are alive, are
they 2" asked his wife.
We'll. that depends, answered John;
Psvchcal Society,"" He ratified his
newspaper. at seems from this that
modern ghosts are pretty lively if not ex-
actIy alive. They don't go around with
sheets over their heads and moan nova
d ys like old fashioned ghosts. They
seem to have tested of the spirit OF
progress of the age"
Dora was knitting silk sock for her
husband. and she asked him to hold up
lis slipper to let her judge the length Of
his foot.
- should really like to see a ghost,
said john obeying his wife.
AS he spoke, there was loud ringing
Of the front door bell. 1t was one of the
clapper bells with gong attached to the
inside of the door, and the ringing of this
bell, twice repeated, was annoying.
Il wish folks wouldn't break the door
down, " growled John, rising to go to
open it "and don't see why it is always
the girls night out :" He went through
the parlor, which was dimIy lighted, and
into the bright hall. Dora came out
into the back of the hall where she could
hear who came, yet be out of sight be.
hind the Jog of the wall where the hall
wall made room for the sitting room
door.
"Good evening"" she heard John say
civilly.
Is Mrs. Lindsay at homer" asked a
strange voice-a mans voice.
Yes, answered John. His question.
ing tone, his manner of waiting, indi.
Gated that he wished to know the stran.
gers business.
1T is bitter cold night" said the
stranger. 1T is q cold winter we are
having"
"WiII you step in?" said John.
Dora drew back into the sitting room.
She heard her husband close the front
door, open the register in the hall, and
give the visitor a chair. Now this is a
wide, roomy place, in the modern fashion,
more Of reception room than merely an
entrance but Dora did not like to have her
husband seat there visitor who had in
Quired for her. Besides, she wanted to
see who it was. So she went out to the
hall through the parlor and inquired
just before she stepped into the hall:
who was it came, John?"
Then seeing the visitor sitting by the
register she said
"Oh, excuse me; I'm sure hope you
will excuse me"
She was very much embarrassed by
her own ruse, for neither the stranger
nor her husband even glanced at her. and
Dora saw that her husband was paler
than she had ever seen him. His gaze
was fixed intently upon the stranger.
Dora could see nothing alarming in their
visitor He was middle aged man,
stout and tall, with dark hair sprinkled
with gray. He wore pair of sealskin
gloves. The rest of his outfit looked COM
Portable and suitable for sharp winter
evening, The sealskin gloves looked un-
usually large. Dora stared at them with
some curiosity as she advanced.
Did you wish to see me, sir?" she
asked.
The stranger looked at her
Yes, he said, IF you are Mrs. Lind.
say"
IL am, said Dora, with dignity.
will you ask your husband to step
into some room out of hearing. My busi-
ness is with you alone"