The Bourbon news., 1897-11-16
The Thirsty Spectre.
[ [Walter Champ in Louisville Po,t.l

ana Mayor Oakley, OF .Brookwood - II
was the general remark that they sslook
ed as much alike as two peas.n Wben |
such resemblance exists complications ,
and amusing incidents are likely to oc-
cur.
Alexander had been in Randolph
county for nearly year, painting por-
traits and making pictures of the fa-
nous horses In that section. He was a
clever artist and his work won him An
envlable reputation among the gentle
folk In the aristOcratic county of Ran
doIph. The artist was a man of fine
physique, standing feet and 1 inch in
his bare feet. His shoulders were broad.
his blue eyes were keen, his hair was
white, and his cheeks were as ruddy as
schoolboy's, though Alexander must
have passed his fiftieth milestone He
was typical Kentuckian-quick.w
and brave, genial and friendly. He
loved the horses he painted, and he liked
a mint julep, good story, joke and
hearty laugh.
The picture of Buchanan, the Derby
winner, had been finished by Alexander,
and was admired alike by horse owners,
trainers, jockeys, rubbers and the pub
.lc IN general. The noble animal was
perfectly portrayed, his color and form
being true to life. his eyes showing al
most human intelligence, and his ears
prlcked up, seeming to hear the bugle
notes calling him to the post to race for
fame and fortune. Alexander had done
his work well, and had started over to
Major Oakley's to paint picture of his
queenly mare, winner of the Ken
tucky Oaks. Major Oakley was in de-
cIlning health, and it was his desire to
have well-executed painting of the
pride Of his racing stable. He, too, had
heard of the wonderful resemblance be-
tween himself and Alexander, the artist,
and had sent for him to come to
"Brookwood."
Nightfall was approaching as Alexan-
der rode slowly up to the inn by the
roadside, two miles from "Brookwood -
There was no one in sight, and the
place had a lonely air as the artist
hitched his horse to the fence and enter
ed the door. 1t seemed as though
something had happened and a pail had
fallen over the place, it was so quiet
and deserted-like.
Alexander raped on the door with his
riding whip, and stepped inside the
room which served as both "Office" aud
bar" In a moment the proprietor, an
| honest, blunt, farmer-like man, appear
ed in another doorway. There was an
| ineXplicable look of surprise and terror
Un his face as he tried to speak, but his
tongue refused to do it's duty. Trem-
bling like leaf in an autumn breeze, he
regained his voice.
MY God, Ma-ma-major, he stam-
lnered, Il thought we buried you yes
teTdaY
III all instant it flashed through Alex
ander's mind that Major Oakley had
died and that the innkeeper thought
that his spirit had returned.
$50 Sor did, so you did," replied AL
exander deliberately and seriously in
/ the most sepulchral voice he could COM
lnand, resolving to continue the illusion
! while.
"W-w-here did you c-c-Ome from.
Major p asked the terrified host cute l.
ing the door stills for support.
Il came from hell; came from
hell, was the answer.
"W-w-what did you come back for,
M-m-major ? asked the innkeeper,
growing paler each moment.
IL came back to get drink of Bour-
bon whiskey, sir; for drink of whis-
key" said the pseudo specter.
Quivering with fear, the innkeeper
placed the large bottle of whiskey on
the counter of the bar. Then he reach
ed for glass, but his shaking hand
let it drop to the floor. A crash of glass
broke the awful silence. Jenkins, the
terrified innkeeper, ran from the house,
out into the night, almost cOlliding with
Alexander's white hOrse-just like the
one Major Oakl.y used to ride to the
| inn.
The genuine terror of the fleeing man
caused peculiar feeling to come over
Alexander, but be shook it off, and TAX
ing longer drink than usual from the
bottle Oh the counter, he mounted his
horse and rode slowly toward Major
Oakley's.
AS Alexander surmised, Major Oakley
was dead. Heart disease had called him
to another world two days ago, before
he could see the star of his equine fam
ily placed on canvas. Alexander made
a fine picture of the mare, however, for
the Majors SOD. And everyone COM
mented on the artists wonderful resem-
blance to Major Oakley. The negro
servants cast uneasy glances behind
them when they passed Alexander after
night. Jenkins, the innkeeper, trembles
every time he goes into the bar at night,
and Alexander enjoys many a hearty
laugh over the scare he gave jenkins
when he treated the specter to a drink
of whiskey.
THE Northwestern is carrying nearly
81 .OOO. 900 insurance on the lives Of
49, 01k