The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-06-15


home. When I came to my
senses discovered that had lost my
bearings and was preparing to spend
the night in the open when 1 caught a
glimpse of faint light in the distance
which proved to be the home of trap
per.
1t was a small two-story house,
roughly made. 1 asked to be allowed
to spend the night with the trapper
and his family, but was refused per-
mission at first, giving as their reason
that they had no room. They pointed
out another light in the distance, but
1 begged so hard to be allowed to sleep
upon the floor, that finally they told
me that they had a small room in
which no one had slept for five
years, saying at the same time, that
the room was haunted by ghost.
Here was chance to interview an
other ghost. 1t took some time for
me to impress upon the minds of the
trapper and his wife that I was not
afraid of ghosts. They hastily made
me bed and bid me good night. I
retired quickly but made sure that my
colts was under my head and my rifle
within easy reach, as I was not
willing to take too many chances. To
be frank, I didn't 60 to sleep in hurry,
but towards midnight fell in doze
and between that time and four o'clock
the ghost appeared. It was decrepit
old man dressed in white robe, with
long white hair and whiskers, short
bony fingers, and deathly looking face.
At first was speechless, but remem-
bering my cow experience, I screwed
up enough courage to ask the old gent
what he wanted, at the same time
nakfng sure tnat I mad q gOou noIu
upon my rife and pistol. He hastily
assured me that was IN no danger,
and with voice that sounded as tho
it came up from the bowels of the
earth, he told me his trouble about as
follows:
give years ago last May I discov-
cred gold ledge in yonder ridge. I
was much elated with my find and con-
fidentially showed it to another ex-
plorer. He aided me in covering it
and then returned with me to our
camp, which was the house now occu-
pied by the trapper. During that
night he entered this room-which was
mine-and murdered me, but not be-
fore was able to infiict such wounds
that he could not live or even make
known the cause of the trouble.
Since that time have watched the
ledge and have visited this room night
ly, hoping could get an opportunity
to tell some one, but none have waited
to hear my tale except you.
"Now, young man, you were pretty
close to the ledge few hours ago. If
you will dress and come with me will
show you the richest deposit of gold
in these mountains"
I lost no time in dressing and
slipped out of the house without be-
ing detected. 1 followed the old man
until we came to small birch stump
near where I was standing during the
afternoon. "Here," he said, sis the
hidden gold, and pointed to large
fiat stone that was lying partially COW
cred with old brush.
Now, did not feel like taking any
chances on losing the spot so I pulled
off my coat and, making pillow of it,
l prepared to spend the rest of the
night upon the ledge, in the meantime
the old man had disappeared, no doubt
feeling that he had fulfilled his mission
I was soon asleep, but awoke just az
the sun was rising in the east to find
,, that had been dreaming. In my
dream l had dressed myself, gone
down stairs and taking off my coat
had made pillow near the old fire
place and had slept the balance Of
: the night there. 1 explained to the
! trapper in the morning why I left my
room and had occupied his kitchen
!. floor in preference to his bed. The
: ghost no doubt still haunts that room
? Is it any wonder that am firm be
lever in ghosts? EILsEL.
7 A little sorrow may teach more thar
"a many sormOns.-EX.