The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-12-06
SOME RECENT STORIES.

This is a true English ghost story Of
an unconventional kind. 4 young lady
arrived late at night ON visit to n friend.
She awoke IN the darkness, to find a
white figure at the foot Of the bed While
she watched the bed-clothes were sud
denly whiskcd off and the apparition van
ished. After an anxious, not say chilly,
night the visitor went down, with little
appetite, to breakfast. AT the table she
was introduced TO a gentleman, very
old friend OF the family who had she
learned, also been sleeping in the house.
He complained of the cold. Il hope you
will excuse me- he said to the hostess,
but / found it so cold during the night
that. knowing the room next 10 mine
was unoccupIed, | took the liberty Of GO
ing in and carrying off the bed-clothes
ito supplement nay own The room, rs
it happened, was not unoccupied, but he
never learned his mistake.
This story is told by Il German army
officer:
1t is strictly against the rules of the
military academy for Il cadet to enter
any Of the beer gardens in Berlin un-
accompanied by a relative \ friend of
mine, however, hoping to be undetected.
ventured one night unattended. gen-
tleman came and sat at ii small table
near him and began chatting pleasantly,
when suddenly one of the chiefs of the
academy passed them
Sir" whispered the lad, will you be
my uncleY'
Certainly" said the gentleman, smil-
ing.
Next morning at parade the unfortu
sb0 boI bnnaI To
was called by name from the ranks.
Trembling, he obeyed the call and came
forward
You were in the beer garden last
nightT grutIly said his captain.
Yes, sir, but / was with my uncle
Your uncle happened to be the crown
prince, who wrote this morning to ask
ME to let you off without punishment.
Never let it happen again
The crown prince of this incident was
the late Emperor Frederick.
Truth is stranger than fiction many
times An English detective tells this
story: He was instructed to be on the
lookout for a prominent swell m0bs-
man. who had been recently troubling
the peace of her Majesty's liege sub
jects, and, pursuant to instructions, he
dressed himself as one of the illicitly IN
dustrious and devoted his evenings to the
purlieus of certain west-end districts.
One night he followed a clew to one Of
the music halls and reached the classic
spot Just about the time when people
were coming out of the theater. lie
mingled with the crowd and almost i'm
mediately became the possessor OF a
Jerry and slang''-that is, watch and
chain-that were placed in his pocket
by an industrious thief who took him for
one Of the gang. The recipient OF the
unexpected gift kept his presence of
mind and gave a sign in the fashion Of
| thieves masonry to show all was well.
Then he edged out of the crowd and the
| thief followed. Wen 90 around by
Vine street; they won't follow us there,
| whispered the detective, and, talking the
| real lingo all the time, he persuaded the
| unconscious rogue, much bigger man
| than himself and famous for his athletic
gifts, to follow him right past the station
| There. with plenty of policemen about
| he seized his man and the trick was
done Thought you was one of u.s..
| is the untarnished version Of the aston
ished and Disguised thief's remark
A lawyer gave dinner party, after
| which the gentlmen retired to the smol-
ing room for weed and a chat. Sud
denly the host got up. took down sword
which hung in a trophy, and, brandish-
ing it in the air, exclaimed: All gentle
men, / shall never forget the day when
| / drew this blade for the first timer'
Pray, where did you draw itY' asked
an eager guest.
AT rattle was the lawyers re-
| joinder.