Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-07-21
CEMETERY LIGHTS

When I was about fourteen, my
mother, whose health had been declin-
Ing for some years, determined to leave
the city and try country life for q
change. She purchased an old estate
some three miles out Of the city Of r.
which had been over century in one
family, who parted with their old
homestead because loss Of property
made it impossible for them to keep up
former style and grandeur.
One of the conditions Of the sale was
that the family graveyard should not
be disturbed in any way. 1t was n
beautiful spot, about two acres in ex-
tent and about half an acre from the
dwelling, just to the right, and where
the windows of both stories on the
right side of the house and the piazza
In front would overlook 1t.
never was a cowardly child, and
this resting place of the dead was q ia
vorite resort with me, and on moon
light nights I would wander for hours
through its walks withor'. one thought
Of fear or dread of those resting in
their last sleep around me, freed from
the care and turmoil of life.
When we moved to our new home,
my favorite brother, who was six years
my elder, was away at college and 1t
was not till some months after that
he returned home for vacation at q
time when our country home presented
Its most charming aspect-had dressed
itself In its gayest robes to welcome
him, l said-and superbly beautiful
were its robes Of green and rainbow
tints.
He had been absent so long from
home that 1t was not until after sup
per and evening worship that l could
carry him off to my favorite spot. He
was somewhat prepared for its beau
ties from my rhapsodies about 1t in
my letters, but said, as we stood on n
little knoll just at the entrance and
looked over 1t, that l had not done 1t
Justice, eloquent as l had been in Its
praise.
We were wandering through its walks
and 1 was asking thousand questions
that kept him busy in answering when
suddenly he stopped a moment and
said, "Are you never afraid of this
place"
mo, Jamie, darling. Why should 1
be?" 1 asked.
"You come often here alone after
night, Lizzie. Are you not startled
sometimesp
mo. Why do you ask?" replied.
.Oh, nothing. Only do you see any
thing there peculiar in appearance"
he asked, pointing to spot where n
tall marble tablet cleaned in the NOON
light.
Nothing, Jamie, but the slab of mar
ble."
Lets go up there for moment" he
then said and we turned toward the
spot.
Upon reaching 1t saw nothing, but
/ could see that he did see something
that surprised and somewhat startled
him. While standing there he moved
his little walking stick to and fro and
after n few minutes said; "That will
do. Now let's return to the house, and
I'll tell you why ask those questions"
Upon reaching the piazza we sat
down upon the top step and looked
over to the graveyard. He sat still for
few minutes and then said:
'Well, Lizzie, have often heard and
have read of what saw tonight, but
never thought to see it myself, for L
never credited it. At that grave where
we stopped l saw q blue flame rise
from the ground and gradually take
the human form, or, rather, inside of
the cloud of blue flame l saw human
shape, and when we went up to 1t
could distinctly see the contour Of the
whole figure, though l could not dis
Germ features. 1t is startling, but 1t is
not supernatural. If did not know