The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-11-17
JOHN AND THE GHOSTS.
BY A. T. ouiller-couch COS.

+bree sons, VINO IN tlIIie went Aoi tli "
Geek their fortunes. At the end OF
+bree years they returned by agree
r,An+ to compare their progress in the
world. The eldest had become a law.
,,ar and the second a merchant, and
each of these had won riches and
friends. but John. the youngest, who
had enlisted in the army, could only
show a cork leg and a medal
You have made a bad business OF
Il said his brothers. Your medal Is
worthless, except to a collector of such
things, and your leg a positive disad-
vantage Fortunately we have infiu-
ence, and since you are our brother we
must see what we can do for you"
Now, the King of 1llyria lived at that
time in his capital, in a brick palace
al the end of the great park. He kept
This park open to all, and allowed no
one to build in it. But the richest cit
izens, who were so fond of their ruler
that they could not live out of his
sight had their houses just beyond the
Dark. in the rear of the palace. on a
niece of ground which they called Pal
ace Gardens. The name was a little
misleading, for the true gardens lay in
front of the palace, where children of
all classes played among ehe trees and
Aower beds and artificial ponds, and
the King sat and watched them, be-
cause the sight of them cheered his
only daughter, who had fallen into a
deep melancholy. But the rich citi-
zens chung to it. for it gave a pleasant,
neighhorly air to their roadway and
showed what friendliness there was be-
tween the monarch of Illyria and his
people.
At either end you entered the road
Ill., Ix,x E.aArA
gate. And each gate had a sentry boz
beside it and tall beadle. and a no.
tice-board to save him the trouble of
explanation. The notice ran: Private.
The Beadle has orders to refuse ad-
mittance to all Wagons, Tradesmen's
Carts, Hackney Coaches. Donkeys,
Beggars, Disorderly Characters or
Persons carrying Burdens" seden-
life had told so severely upon one
of the two beadles that he could no
longer enter his box with dignity. or
to read his newspaper there with any
comfort. He resigned, and John OBJ
tanned the post by his brothers inter-
est, in spite of his cork leg.
He had now bright green suit with
scarlet pipings, a gold-laced hat,
fashionable address and very little to
do. But the army had taught him to
be active, and for lack of anything bet
ter he fell into deep thinking. This
came near to bring him into trouble.
One evening he looked out of his sem
try box and saw mild and somewhat
sad featured old gentleman approach
ing the gate.
mo admittance,' said John.
Tut, tut" said the old gentleman.
I'm the King"
John looked at the face on his medal,
and, sure enough. there was a resem-
blance But all the same your MaJes-
ty carries a burden"-here he pointed
to the notice. board-"and the folks
along this road are mighty particular"
The King. smiled. and then sighed
heavily. Its about the Princess, my
daughter" said he; ''she has not smil-
ed for whole year"
'Il warrant I'd make her, SAID
John. ;,
''rn warrant you could not" said
the King "She will never smile again
until she is married.
Then" answered John, speaking in
a humble way as becomes me, why the
dickens alive don't you. marry her up
and get done with it2'
The King shook his head. There's
a Condition attached said he. Maybe
you have heard Of the famous Haunt
ed House in Punsinby Square?'
"I've always gone by the spelling
and pronounced it Ponsonby" said
John.
well, the condition is that every
sutton for my daughters hand must
spend a night alone in that house; and
if he survives and is ready TO perse-
we're with his wooing he must return
a year later with his bride and spend
the night of his marriage there"
And very handy" said John, for
there's a wedding cake shop at the cor
ner.''
The King sighed again. 'Unhappily
five have undertaken the adventure,
and not a man of them but has either
lost his wits or run for it.
WELL" said John, i've been afraid
of a great many men"
That's a poor confession for a SOL
der" put in the King.
when they all happened to come
at me together But I've never yet met
the ghost that could frighten me, and
if your Majesty will give me the latch
key I'll try my luck this very night"
1t could not be done in this free and
easy way; but at s o'clock, after John
had visited the palace and taken an
oath in the Princess's presence which
was his first sight of herr, he was
driven down to the house beside the
Lord Chamberlain, who admitted him
to the black front hall. and, slamming
the door upon him, scuttled out of the
porch as quickly as possible and into
his broughanf.
John Struck a match, and, as he did
so, heard the carriage roll away. The
walls were bare, and the floor and
great staircase ahead OF him carpet
less AS the match flickered out he
caught a glimpse of pair of feet NOV
ing up the stairs; that was all-only
feet. IN catch up with the calves on
the landing, maybe" said he; and
striking another match be followed
them up.
The feet turned aside on the landing
and led him into a room on the right.
He paused on the threshold, drew
candle from his pocket lit it, and STAR
ed about him. The room was of great
size, bare and dusty. with crimson
hangings, gilt panels and one huge gilt
chandelier, from which, and from the
ceiling and cornice, long cobwebs trail
ed down like creeping plants. Beneath
the chandelier dark smear ran along
the boards. The feet crossed it to-
ward the fireplace. and as they did SO,
John saw them stained with blood.
They reached the fireplace and van
ished
Scarcely had this happened before
the end of the room opposite the win
dow began to glow with an unearthly
lght. John, whose poverty had
taught him to be economical, promptly
blew out his candle. moment later
TWO men entered. bearing coffin be-
tween them. The rested ii upon the
noor. and seating themselves upon 1t.
began to cast dice your soul" MY