The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-06-20
MY UNCLE. BEAGLEY.

wy ChSiO DSuShSyg WhO SoiuhhOhSOu
his commercial career very early in
the present century as bagman, will
tell stories. Among them. he tells his
ghost story so often that l am heartily
tired OF 1t. In seJf-deiense, therefore,
i publish the tale, in order that when
next the good, kind old gentleman
offers to bore us with It. everybody
may say they know it. ! remember
every word OF II.
One fine autumn evening about forty
years ago, I was travelling on horse
back from Shrewsbury to Chester.
felt tolerably tired, and was beginning
TO look out for some snug wayside inn,
where might pass the night. when a
sudden and violent thunder storm came
on. My horse. terrified by the light
ming. fairly took the bride between
his teeth and started of with me at
full gallop through lanes and cross
roads, until at length managed to
pull him up just near the door Of a
neat-looking country inn.
well, thought /, there was wit
in your madness old boy, since it
brought us to this comfortable refuge"
And alighting, / gave him In charge
TO the stout farmers boy who acted as
hostler The inn-kitchen, which was
also the guest room. was large, clean,
neat and comfortable very like the
pleasant hostelry described by Izaak
Walton. There were several travellers
In the room-probably, like myself,
driven there for shelter-and they were
all warming themselves by the blazing
fire while waiting for supper. joined
the party. Presently, being summoned
by the hostess, we all sat down, twelve
in number, to a smoking repast OF
rots, and stewed hlre.
The conversation naturally turned
on the mishaps occasioned by the
storm, OF which every one seemed to
have his full share. One had been
thrown of his horse Another, driv-
ing in n gig. had been upset into q
muddy dyke, All had got thorough
weting and agreed unanimously that
It was dreadful woather--a regular
witches Sabbath
Witches and ghosts prefer for their
Sabbath. fine moonlight to such
weather Us this!"
These words We're uttered in solemn
tone, and with strange emphasis, by
one OF the company. He was tall,
dark-looking man, and / had set him
down in my own mind rs travelling
merchant or peddler. My next neigh
Dor was gay. well looking, fashion
ably dressed young man, who, bursting
into peal of laughter said:
you must know the manners and
customs OF ghosts very well, to be able
TO tell that they dislike getting wet or
muddy"
The first speaker giving him dark
fierce look, said:
Young man, speak not so lightly Of
things above your comprehension.
do you mean to imply there are
such things as ghostsP"
Perhaps there are, II you had cour-
age to look at them"
The young man stood up, flushed
with anger. But presently resuming
his seat, he said calmly:
That taunt should cost you dear II
1t were not such foolish one"
"A foolish onew exclaimed the mer-
chant, throwing on the table a heavy
leathern purse. There are fifty
guineas. i am content to lose them
all, il before the hour is ended, do
not succeed in showing you, who are
80 obstinately prejudiced. the form Of
any one of your deceased friends, and
II, after you have recognized him, you
will allow him to kiss your lips"
We all looked at each other but my
young neighbour, still In the same
hooking manner, replied:
you will do that will youp"
Yes" said the other, II will stake
these fifty guineas, on condition that
you will pay asimilar sum II you lose. :"
After a short silence, the young man
said gaily:
Fifty guineas, my worthy sorcerer.
are more than poor college sizar
ever possessed; but here are fvc
which, II you are satisfied, / shall be
most willing to wager"
The other took up his purse, saying
in a contemptuous tone:
Young gentleman, you wish to
draw backP"
Il draw backp" exclaimed the stu
dent. We'll! II had the fifty gum
cas-, you should see whether ! wish TO
draw back!"
Here" said ], ARE four guineas
which ] will stake on your wager"
No sooner had / made this PROPOSE
ton than the rest OF the company, at
tracted by the singularity Of the affair,
came forward TO lay down their money,
and in minute or two the fifty
Ruineas were subscribed. The mer.
chant appeared 30 sure Of winning thai
he placed all the stakes in the students
hands, and prepared for his expert.
ment We selected for the purpose q
small summer house in the garden,