New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-16

which nistSok for ipdifference Be this az il
day. Tor considerable space OF time and took no
l never to my knowledge saw him come into the
reading room or depart from 1t. There sat Dr.
Harris In bis customary chair and can say little
After certain period-I really know not how
lcng-i began to notice, or TO fancy, peculiar
regard in the old mans aspect toward myself.
deceived mysef there was sort S5 of expectancy in
MS lace His speetacles. think, were showed up
ne peen a lying man SHOULD have fatteTed myself
interested in me and DESTROYS of a personal ac-
qpantanee Being a ghost and amenable to
was waiting to be spoken to before delivering what
ghost had sbow Re M bs he'd 70 sG Ine
the spiritual brotherhood both as regarded the
selected as the recipient of his communicatons
In the reading room of the Athen@um conversation
dressed the appariton without drawing the instant
men around me: I myself too. at that time was
as shy any ghost. and followed the ghosts rule
should 1 have MADE. solemnly and awfully ad-
dressing what must have appeared in the eyes of
sides, I had never been Introduced to DR.. Harris
regulations are to be abrogated by the accidentai
fact OF one of the parties having crossed the i'm
from the spiritual world. If ghosts throw off all
Rre fom hat ean sav be dGes
with by those who are still hampered with flesh
For such reasons these and rejecting, more
over, InaI the deceased doctor might burden
with some disagreeable task, with which had no
business nor wish to be concerned-I stubbornly
resolved to have nothing to say to him. To this
determination l adhered. and a syllable ever
self.
To the best of my recollection never observed
the Ola man either enter the reading room
depart from 1t, or move from his chair lay
down the newspaper, or exchange look with any
person in the company, unless 1t myself. He
was not by any means invariably in his place. In
the evening, for instance though often read
brightest noontde that used to behold him, sit
tlng within the most comfortable focus of the glow
ing fire. as real and lifelike object Except that
he was so very old and of an ashen complexion as
strange intercourse. If such it be called, I
member-once at least, and know not but oftener
"a sad w1stful, disappointed gaze, which the ghost
fXed upon me from beneath his Spectacles; nelan-
choy look of helplesness, which, if my heart had
been hard paving stone, / could hardly have
withstood. But 1 did withstand it. and l think /
saw him no more after this last appealing look,
which still dwells in my memory perfectly
While my own eyes were encountering the dim and
bleared eyes of the ghost. And whenever l recall
old, withered figure of DR.. Harris. sitting in his
accustomed chair. The Boston POST in his hand
his spectacles showed upward-and gazing
as close the door of the reading room, with that
wistful, appealing, hopeless, helpless look. It is
too late now; his grave has been grass grown this
rest in 1t without any aid from
| have only to add that it not until long
after had ceased to encounter the ghost that l
became aware how very ODD and strange the whole
of its strangeness chiefly by the wonder and in
credulity of those to whom tell the story.
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.
Liverpool Aug. H. 1856.