The Opelousas courier., 1895-09-07

% "|C that all the
~ N tankards anC
aagons danced
Swear not" answered the young
minister, q comely lad of scarcc more
than a score of years, LET YOU
words be yea, yea,' and nay, nay"
AYE, but forsooth ! must wear
since you will not believe my most sol
'emn confirmation!' answered Sir John
testify.
"Tell us of witches, or demons, Of
spirits of those murdered. or ven o,
ghosts, that haunt church yards, and
our credulity will not be Sc taxed; bu'
I pray you tell us not of the spirits OF
fair women who have led a worthy and
virtuous life, and right we'll deserve
peace and happiness in the life beyond
the grave" said Goodman Clark.
ibid l not tell you they would not
believe me?" said Sir John, turning to
the young minister. II tell you all
that this fair ghost doth haunt my
home almost nightly"
"Hast thou seen her face?" asked
Goodman Clark.
"Not distinctly" replied Sir John,
'salthough my daughter Ethel says
that she has frequently: I only saw
that the figure was that of a young
and graceful woman, AID when the
sight of the apparition held me spell
bound in sweet fear, ii turned and
laughed. Good friends, my tongue
Glove to the roof of my mouth, and my
knees shook together as with the
pgue. Lord, but it "a a fearsome
sight"
"Didst thou speak to it7" asked an.
other one of the group.
} "Speak to it? Thinkest thou 1 would
hold intercourse with evil spirits? Per-
chance thou takest me for a WITCH"
This goodly company was seated
around the great fireplace of Bently
manor, smoking from clay pipes of ex'
ceeding length, whilst all but the
minister partook oft and freely of the
new ale which was plenteously pro.
:vided.
Whose spirit thinkest thou tina,
1t is?' inquired the young preacher.
! Whose can it be but that of my
grandaunt, Dame Ethel, who died
twelve months after she was married
to my great-uncle, in this very house:
Aye, of the plague that was among us
at the time she died. To be sure i,
was before l ever saw the light OF
day."
And did she pass away in peace7"
"Thou sayest it. Surrounded by her
lovers arms, with all the solace of the
church, and at peace with the world
and God"
. Strange" said Goodman Clark,
,s'that the spirit of SO good a woman
should roam about at night. Surely
ought not some to exercise her,
some holy man? Mayhap she has some
message to tell, something that keeps
her spirit from resting"
$50 think l." said Sir John, land ]
am anxious that she shouit give her
message and be gone. Good Mr.. Hill.
ton, you being a God-fearing man, as
well as a minister of the gospel, I do
entreat you to bide in the west hall to,
night, and learn from the poor souls
lips what does trouble her"
Now, Mr.. Hilton war Of nature a
most timid and retiring man. and did
even experience mortal qualms when
appearing in the pulpit, SO much so
that if he caught sight of Mistress
Ethel's roguish eyes peeping over the
tall back of Sir johns pew he would
stammer and blush and choke, until
all the good people in the church
would devoutly pray that the benedic-
fion might soon be uttered.
While he was in truth naturally shy,
he was exceeding brave in all things
except ome He would boldly de-
nonnce sin, and his fearlessness in
dealing with and reforming the most
hardened sinners in the town was
we'll known. Where there was real
danger he knew no fear, but where a
pretty girl vas concerned, and more
especially Mistress Ethel, he was more
timid than an affrighted hare or start
led dove.
So when Sir John Bently did boldly
challenge him to speak with and ex-
orcise the oma ghost he was moth
ing 10th. Master Hilton inwardlv