The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-25

tended almost exclusively by printers on
their way home from their nightly labors
on the journals of the town.
The tomb which had the largest crack
under its lid belonged to a bishop who
had died more than hundred years
before, and who had n great reputation
of sanctity; so much so, indeed, that
people had been i'm the habit of picking
little pieces of plaster from under the lid
of his tomb and carrying them away as
holy relics, to prevent disease and acci-
dents.
This tomb was more imposing than the
others, and stood upon a pedestal SO
that the crack beneath its LID was quite
plain to view, and remarks had been made
about having II repaired.
Very early one morning, before it was
time for the first service, there came into
the church poor mason. His wife had
recently recovered from a severe sickness,
and he was desirous OF making an Offering
TO the church. But having no money to
spare he had determined that he would
repair the bishops tomb, and he conse-
quently came to this before his regular
j,ours of work began.
All the ghosts were out of their tombs
ut the time, but they were gathered I'm the
other end of the church, and the mason
did not see them, nor did they noti e
him; and he Immediately went 10 work.
He had brought some plaster and trowel,
and it was not long before the crack
under the lid Of the tomb was entirely
filled up, and the plaster made as smooth
and neat as when the tomb was new.
When his work was finished, the mason
left the church by the little side door,
which had give him entrance.
Not ten minutes afterward the sacristan
came into sprinkle the church with holy
water. Instantly the ghosts began to
scatter right and left, and to slip into
their tombs as quickly as possible, but
when the ghost of the good bishop reached
his tomb he found 1t impossible to get
in. He went around and around It, but
nowhere could he find the least little
chink by which he could enter. The
sacristan was walking along the other
side OF the church, scattering holy water,
and in great trepidstion the bishops
ghost fastened from tomb to tomb,
hoping to find one which was unoccupied
into which he could slip before the
sprinkling began on that side of the
church. lie soon came to one which he
thought might be unoccupied, but he dis
covered to his CONSERVATION that it was
occupied by the ghost OF young girl
who had died OF love.
"Alas! alas!" exclaimed the bishops
ghost. "How unluckyi Who would
have supposed this to be your tomb?"
"1t is not really my tomb" said the
ghost of the young girl. "It is the tomb
of Sir Godfrey OF the Marie, who was killed
in battle nigh two centuries ago. / am told
that it has been empty for a long time,
for his ghost has gone TO Castle Marie.
Not long ago came into the church and,
Ending this tomb unccupled, settled
here"
"Ah. mel" said the bishops ghost,
"the sacristan will soon be around here
with holy water. Could not you get out
and go TO your own tomb; where Is that?' |
"Alas, good father" said the ghost OF
the young girl, 81 have no tomb was
buried plainly in the ground, and do |
not know that could find the place again.
But have no right TO keep you out OF
this tomb, good father; II is az much !
yours as 1t is mine, so will come out and |
LET you enter; truly, YOU are i'm great |
danger. AS for me, il doesn't matter very |
much whether am sprinkled or not"
SO the ghost OF the young girl slipped !
out OF Sir Geofirey's tomb and the bish-