Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-07-19
MISTRESS ETHEL'S GHOST

minister, comely lad OF scarce more
than score OF years. "Let your
words be yea, yea, and nay, nay.'n
AYE, but forsooth / must swear,
since you will not believe my most SOL
emn confirmation, answered Sir John,
testify.
"Tell us of witches, or demons, or
spirits Of those murdered, or even of
ghosts, that haunt church yards, and
our credulity will not be so taxed; but
pray You tell us not of the spirits of
fair women who have led worthy and
virtuous life, and right well deserve
peace and happiness in the life beyond
the grave" said Goodman Clark.
"Did ! not tell you they would not
believe me?" said Sir John, turning to
the young minister. 81 tell you all
that this fair ghost doth haunt my
home almost nightly
Hast thou seen her face2" asked
Goodman Clark.
mot distinctly" replied Sir John,
although my daughter Ethel says
that she has frequently. only saw
that the figure was that of young
and graceful woman, AID when the
sight of the apparition held me SPELL
bound in sweet fear, it turned and
laughed. Good friends, my tongue
Glove to the roof of my mouth, and my
knees shook together as with the
ague. Lord, but it was a fearsome
sight"
'Didst thou speak to it?" asked an
other one Of the group.
Speak to it? Thinkest thou would
hold intercourse with evil spirits? Per-
chance thou takest me for 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
ministes partook oft and freely of the
new ale which was plenteously pro-
vidod.
Whose spirit thinkest thou that
1t is?" inquired the young preacher
Whose can 1t 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 it
was before l ever saw the light of
day"
"And did she pass away in peace?'
Thou sayest 1t. Surrounded by her
lovers arms, with all the solace OF the
church, and at peace with the world
and God"
Strange" said Goodman Clark,
that the spirit of so good woman
should roam about at night. Surely,
ought not some one TO exercise her,
some holy man? Mayhap she has some
message to tell, something that keeps
her spirit from resting"
$50 think J." said Sir John, land
am anxious that she should give her
message and be gone. Good Mr.. Hill
ton, you being God-fearing man, as
well as minister of the gospel, 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 was 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
Etheps 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
ton might soon be uttered.
While he was in truth naturally shy,
he was exceeding brave in all things
except women. He would boldly de-
nounce sin, and his fearlessness in
dealing with and reforming the most
hardened sinners in the town was
well known. Where there was real
danger he knew no fear, but where a
pretty girl was 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 woman ghost he was moth
ing 10th. Master Hilton inwardly