Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-05-14
MY UNCLE BEAGLEY.

ghost story so often that am heartily
tired OF it. In self-defense, 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. l remember
every word of it.
One fine autumn evening about forty
years ago, Twas travelling on horse
back from Shrewsbury to Chester.
felt tolerably tired, and was beginning
to look out for some snug wayside inn,
where 1 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 off with me al
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 l, there was wit
in your madness old boy, since it
brought us to this comfortable refuge.
And alighting, 1 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. l joined
the party. Presently, being summoned
by the hostess, we all sat down, twelve
in number, to smoking repast of
bacon and eggs, corned beef and car
rots, and stewed hare.
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 off his horse. Another driv-
ing in gig, had been upset into a
muddy dyke. All had got thorough
wetting and agreed unanimously that
it was dreadful weather. regular
witches Sabbath!
Witches and ghosts prefer for their
Sabbath, a fine moonlight to such
weather as this!"
These words were uttered in a solemn
tone, and with strange emphasis by
one of the company. He wa :. tail,
dark-looking man, and | had set him
down in my own mind as u traveling
merchant or peddler. My next ne: Oh
Dor was a gay. well looking, fashion
ably dressed young man, who, bursting
- 81
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 ghosts?"
Perhaps there are, if 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 if
it were not such q foolish one"
"a foolish oner' exclaimed the mer-
chant, throwing on the table a heavy
leathern purse. There are fifty
guineas. l am content to lose them
all, if before the hour is ended, do
not succeed in showing you, who are
so obstinately preiudiced, the form of
any one of your deceased friends, and
if, after you have recognized him, you
will allow him to kiss your lips"
We all looked at each other, but my
young neighbor, still in the same
hooking manner, replied:
You will do that, will you?"
Yes" said the other Il will stake
these fifty gliineas. on condition that
you will pay asi!uila- sum if you lose.
After a short silearc the young man
said gaily:
Fifty guineas. my worthy sorcerer,
are more than = rjo: college sizar
ever possessed; bi,t hero are five,
which, If 20; are : Sled, 1 shall be
most willing TO ". -"
The other took -, his purse, saying
in a contemplation 5aic:
Young gentleman, you wish to
draw back"
Il draw back?' exclaimed the st1-
dent. We'll! if l had the fifty gum
cas-, you should sec whether l wish to
draw back"
Here, said /, are four gu meas,
which viii stake on 20 r wager.
No sooner had l made this PROPOSE
ton than the rest OF the company. at
tracted by the singula:ily of the affair,
came forward to lay down their money,
and in a minute or two the fifty
guineas' were subscri5 eli. The mer-
chant appeared 50 sure OF winning tina;
he placed all the sta '-cs il the student
hands, and prepared for lis expert
ment We selected for the purpose 2
small summer house in the garden.
perfectly Isolated. and having NJ
means OF exit but a window ard 9
door, which we carefully fastone5
after placing the -oung ma within
We put writing materials on a small
table in the summcr-house, aud took
away the candles. We remained OFT
side with tho raddler amongst lis. il
a low, solemn vo Z. n ban - c':.,-i
the following line:
What ..-.. a- . 90. 20.
Ana ,.-e r. r-
The Pbanto.l l';,'r SETS Is, a.: or.-.i e..
(s,l - - ---.-.,-, ----
Then lai- AZ t-s- - ~--
said:
"You asked to 20, your friend.