Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-04-04
MAMMALS GHOST STORY.
A QUEER VISITATION AT THE MOMENT
OF A TERRIRI.R ACCIDENT


bursting open my room door and look
ing altogether put out, her golden brown
curls tumbling about with the vigorous
shakes she was giving her head and the
red pouting lips, half trembling, as if a
few natural tears were MT SO far away
poor little six year old tot!
Well, what is it, darling r ask.
why. mamma, you know you said
Hal and me was going to make some
peanut candy aud have nice time,
cause papa is gone to Boston tonight
and We al is cold and lonesome-I don't
mean we is cold, but the weather, that's
tit is cold.
well. and SO you are going to make
the candy, amt your
No, no! what do you think? Old
Mr.. Lunthorn is downstairs; says he's
come to be sociable and spend the
evenin', and l telled him my papa
wasn't in, aud he said, Well. well; it is
a good thing came; you all must be SO
lonesome
An involuntary exclamation escaped
me in spite Of myself-"Oh, dear, dearI"
but, Quickly remembering, said:
"Why Ethel, dear, we won't mind Mr..
Bunthorn at all. will make him help
pull-no, we don't pull peanut candy.
But he shall not bother us, so smooth
that frown from your little face, run
down and be pleasant, and say Mamma
will he down right away"
She runs off comforted, the door is
thrown open again, and in walks master
Hal
Now, mother, call this a pretty
'come Short / do. Old Bunthorn is
down sta.rS-good for four hours-and
just want to tell you, mother, I'm
moderately decent in my own house,
but can not stand that ghost story Of
his. I've heard it seven times, and I'm
young yet IL he b. gins it I'll bolt-the
storm outside would try me less.
was obliged to laugh at Hal, he was
50 terribly in earnest. Mr. Bunthorn
was the village bore par excellence, and
had been for many years. He would
drop in any time in q neighborly way
and talk, talk, talk in a dreary. mo-
notonous, meandering sort; explaining
and illustrating and repeating with such
persistent stupidity that sometimes
felt compelled to. excuse myself and rush
out for amoment, lest should make an
impatient interrul ton or gape in his
very lace. But his favoriie yarn was an
oil. old and constantly growing ghost
tale, which he b. IAN telling about 10
years ago, and which grew a chapter or
two with every repetition, until il had
attained proportions which meant one
long Lour at least Now / concluded
that had done pvnance enough myself
as an enforced listener; my children
should not lose whole long winters
evening. So. seeing Halls distress and
little Ethei's dismay, said:
Never mind, my son; remember you
are in your own house; don't forget to
be gentleman; treat the old man very
courteously, and I'll see tAat you and
Ethel have q nice time.
Yes, but how viii you manage
mother7" asks this doubling Thomas,
show will you stave Off the ghost
story2"
Il win tell you. Hal; we will make
the candy first and then sit around the
fire and eat il
And then, he interrupts. "Old B.
will feel sociable and begin-Lordi /
hear him now: Did / ever tell you.
ma'am. that little occurrence ? etc, etc. !,
etc, etc, etc.
Well. when he 10 about to begin, I'll
forestan him, by beginning first, with
my ghost story.
Have you ghost story, too, mother2
Certainly, and mine 10 true
@Bravol that's the very thing. EAh
and are willing enough to hear yorlrs
Now can 60 down and do the polite
act; it viii be papa, tonight, over again.
Come down and see.
And 80 we ran down and welcomed
our guest First the tea (he was . val
liant trencher man) engrossed him; then
we were too busy with the candy to talk
or TO listen. But at last, with great
dish full Of peanut candy, we drew up
our chairs TO the fire and prepared to be
comfortable. The dreadeC moment has
come. Mr.. Bunthorn crossed his legs.
spread his napkin upon his knees, and,
taxing good long breath, said: -Now,
Mrs Lawton, this candy Is a success, il
il Candy tastes good on 9 snowy night
like this. and. by the way, snowy nights
always remind me Of curious ex-'
But Hal, with look OF nervous appre-
hensiOn on his earnest face, broke in
here with scant ceremony:
~Oh, Mr. Bunthorn, what do you
thinki Mother has seen real ghost
sure enough real ghost It was long
time ago. and she has promised Ethel
and me TO tell 10 ali about it tonight, 60
here Is . match. Dir. Bunthorn, lighi
your pipe and Let Us have jolly time.
The old man, utterly routed, lighted
bis pipe, and on this notable occasion
yielded his place TO me, and with Al
least two interested listeners began.
You know, Hal. lived Ia the "a
South when was = child with my
parents and my only brother, Frank
You have often heard me tell Of my