Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1891-11-19
TIE GRAY GHOST.


In gresk, shspslsss drifts about the house,
ths wind roaring down the chimney and
rsstliag among the ice coated branches
of the great elms outside with a sharp,
continuous sound like the noise of
rausketry. Within, the Gre had burned
low, and the long, white curtains at the
windows, looking strangely weird and
unfamiliar In the dim light, shiyered and
trsinblsd as II, In some occult way, they
were Ia 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 a night not unlike this"
he said, "when | left Boston to stay
few days with Earle Russell at Gilsum.
You remember him ut Yale-a very
good fellow, but with penchant for
missions He had married and settled
down IA pastor OF little country church.
The wonder Is that he did not go TO
Nova Zsmbls or Central Africa. but per-
haps his wife saved him from that.
However. he had found a mission at
Gilsum. and "a his wife had gone on 10
New York To spend a week with her
sssesr, Russell invited me TO keep bach
slor's hall with him during her absence.
Well, We were having a cory time OF it
together, when. one night, just as wo
had settled ourselves In front of the
library hrs. with our cigars and news
papers, boy drove up 10 the door In an
old, unpainted slsigh. and announced
INST one Of Russsll's parishioners, an
cid man who lived In an outlying dis
Gtct. was dying, and wanted 10 see the
ninisssr. OF course, Russell prepared
10 obey the summons at once. and he
AZ ros return till midnight When he
came IN, his hands were stiff with the
sold and his ears were hNlf frozen, but
thsrs IVES . glow on his face, a. he
threw o& his ovsreoat and came forward
10 tbs Ara, which WAS something more
thaa aAapls satisfactlon at being safely
hosssd again. l actually believe he did
Aos know whether his hands were cold
sr ncs.
"wsu,' he exclaimed, with q bright
sails. Il have seen one more happy soul
saars 81 il long journey. You've no
NAa, Dc wslf,' No went ON, how 1t takes
aw>y ~ tsar u dsash. II you ever had
h, - - . 0ood naan die. Ii IL such a
anpSs tAhg, sfSs all. and It l, wonder
fsl Aov anply these people look at such
Aasssss. Whsa / entered the house the
cid naa wss lyiAg with his eyes closed.
bat he looked up aud smiled as took his
haaA h mine.
"'"You srs ready and willing to 20,
ars you, dsacony' asked, ~ his eyes met
nine.
The Old mn half raised himself on
~ elbow and replied In low whisper:
""WA, 10 tell the raal truth. elder,
"a. rather say where I'm better ac-
l~alntsd. You sos, I've got used to things
h~rs, sa' don't know ~ I caro- about
,aktAS any change. But the Lord knows
bsss, saa Tn willing-yes, I'm willing"
WIN ne I'D cane his old face bright
snsA into . beautiful smile
tive dsys afser went with my friend
10 sstssd the old mans funeral. About
ax miles out. We drove up to lonely
fern ho~ss and alighted. The short, im-
yrsssivs service was soon over, but 1t was
A&rssAy growing dark when We turned
Sw AorSss head homsward.
"lt Asd been moving In light, fitful
S1s>s all the afternoon, but when the sun
wsat down the wind rose, and We found
s~sslvs obliged 10 face . beating, div-
AS sssrm. The sofS, treacherous snow
Aahss had changed 10 sleet, that was
hwisd ~ us - II with somc iendish IN
tnt II was impossible to keep our eyes
s1sn, ard Russell, holding the reins in
hi bsnd from force Of habit, trusted to
rrovfdsnce and the horse and hid his
Asss In his coat collar In spite Of the
sssrm. however. we should probably
havs reached home safely II, at turn in
10 road, We had not encountered party
ssning In the opposite direction. The
We horses. coming thu. Unexpectedly
uVoo each other, became frightened and
Sutts unnanaSesbls. What happened
- the occupants Of the other sleigh /
sever had the grace TO inquire, but Rus
IN and were both thrown out. and be-
tsvs We could regain Our feet our horse
hsA diappeared. Fortunately or unfor-
t.nsssly. ac It may appear, the accident
- occurred in front OF the house Of one
q Ru1sll's friends. The good gentle
Aan hAsssned TO our assistance and in
asssd upon our coming into the houss.
''As we were thoroughly chilled, and
covered with snow from head to foot,
We willingly consented. We were ush-
psA iaso o brightly lighted parlor,
wAswe = young lady, who seened to me,
m MY possibly somewhat dazed condi-
Hsa, sn enchanting vision Of loveliness,
sAAe forward 10 meet VI. l made some
insshessat remark which am thankful
- lave forgotten, as l have 4 very def
ME In Tsssion - to its absurdity; the
yssng LADY, who worc q blue dress, and
- very bright eyes, laughed merrily,
sAA thsa lsfs tie room to order hot lem
eaads. The storm continued to increase
n violsncs, and our host finally per-
sAaaasd - TO accept his hospitality for
- night.
IL have NO very distinct recollection
q how ths evening passed. but at 10
s'sasck We we're shown TO our respective
pss0A Nine Wa on the ground floor,
- ~ did not feel inckued to go to
Assp. threw myself on l,dnge before
. blaming wood FIRE and gsyr myself
" 10 . s.ccsssioa Of pleasant dreams,
- wAies. AIN proud TO confcss. youns
iAAy N . blue dress plSyed the most i'm
IsrA>.t psrl
IL lad lain there anoul, two hours, so
A L. 4 IL.