Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1894-04-14


ward OF Winchester. is related as alb
solutely authentic. and the good
bishop himself is said to have many
times rehearsed the story to his
friends. Bishop Wilberforce was
most prominent among his contem-
porarles OF the English clergy. and
was once a leader OF the High Church
party.
On a certain occasion the worthy
bishop had accepted an invitation TO
stay at country house not far from
london. Entering the drawing-room
previous to dinner, on the evening of
his arrival, he noticed a priest evil
IDENTIFY OF the Roman communion
sitting by the fire and taking no part
In the general conversation The
bishop was somewhat surprised at
not being presented Ia the priest.
and his establishment was great.
when. few moments later, dinner
being announced, the guests retired,
leaving the priest at his place by the
fire. The hostess having assigned
Bishop Wilberforce the seat Of honor
at her right hand. as soon as an on
portunity offered he remarked:
81 beg your pardon. madam, but
may inquire who was the priest we
left sitting apart In the drawing.
room?n
"Ah, you have seen him. then,
replied the lady. 1T is not every
one who has that privilege. ] can
| not tell you who he Is or from
whence he comes. For many wears
this specter has haunted the house
and grounds II has, IN fact. been a
tradition 10 the family. He seems
TO do no harm. and although he APP
pears only occasionally. we nave
become quite accustomed to our
friendly ghost
How very singular remarked
4 his loraship But have you never
addressed your priestly specter2"
Indeed, ! have had no opportuni-
/ ~, nor the desire. for that matter.
responded tho hostess. growing pale.
May take the liberty noY in
Z quired the dignitary.
with all my heart your lord
ship, replied the lady.
The bishop arose and returned 10
Y hAAR AAtAN AtaE ioNAAAt A0AAAiA lltG HEAHNA
where lie had left him few minutes
before, Having no fear, the bishop
4 said Kindly:
WHO are you, ms friend. and why
are You here
The spectre seemed to sigh deeply
and say, as though TO itself: AT
+ last"
Then in hollow voice. addressing
the bishop, IL continued. II am the
spirit Of a priest who left this world
some eighty years ago and am here
4 70 impart 10 anyone who will receive
Il secret which died with me
could not rest in my grave while
I great wrong was being done which il
I was in my power to right have
I been returning all these years in the
/ hope someone would address me for
4 IL was not given 10 me to be the first
I TO speak. All men have stunned me
] until now. and il is your mission TO
/ do my bidding. was priest Of the
I church 81 Rome and was called 10
this house eighty years ago TO re-
ceive the confession OF dying man.
I He was the sole possessor OF secret.
t the knowledge OF which would alter
materially the entail uf this vast
estate. aud in his death this man
4 wished 10 repair the terrible wrong
/ he had brought upon his kin
''At his request | wrote down the
1 confession. word FOR word. as he
gave IL 10 me. aud when he finished
! had barely time 10 administer the
final sacrament Of the church before
he expired In my arms Ii was very
important that | should return To
London that night and in passing
through the library 20 leave the
house | concluded il would be safer
not TO carry the paper on which was
written the confession away with me
but TO place il in some secure. un.
seen spot, where ! could obtain IL
the following day and de-
liver the document to the per-
son for whom il was intended
Mounting the steps TO the book
shelves ! took out copy of 'Young's
Night Thoughts which was the first
book upon the uppermost shelf near
est the last window, and inserting
the paper carefully between its leaves
| replaced the book and departed. a
horse was awaiting me at the door.
but ere we reached tho entrance Of
the grounds he took fright; was
thrown and instantly killed. Thus
died the secret OF my coufessor with
me No one has disturbed that book
all these years, and no one has had
the courage to address this mes
senger from the unknown. The
paper will be found as have stated,
and now remains for you to correct
the injustice which has so long been
upon this noble family. My mission
Is over and can rest in peace.
At the close OF this remarkable
speech the specter faded gradually
from sight and the bishop was left
gazing into space Recovering from
his astonishment Bishop Wilberforce
went at once into the library and
found the book exactly as indicated
by the speoter. In its secluded cor
~. II, II tai .ksnt u