The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-08
ViDid Story Of Ghost
 on Mobile Bay Shore
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A. c. Cox, of Long Branch, N. J., tells the readers of The New York Herald a true ghost story, as 1t was told him by Professor Thomas Bragg, who was according to that paper. principal oi the High School in Montgomery, in 1867. The scene of the story. which is yiyidly written, is laid near Mobile, in a seminary which overlooked the wa tors of Mobile Bay. The story in full Is as follows,
 At the time of the occurrences of which am about to tell you was a young man, "A years old. had just graduated from Georgia University. at Athens, and my first act after gradua- ton was to marry a young woman 10 whom l had long been engaged. our honeymoon LenglAened througnout that entire summer, but when september arrived we felt the necessity for more practical thought for immediate means Of livelihood. By great good fortune we had not long to wait.
 One morning there came a letter from the Board of Trustees of young wo- mems seminary in Pottsviile. small town in Southern Alabama, which over looked the waters of Mobile Bay. The seminary years before had been in a most fourishing condition, but for sev- eral years had been closed. Latteriy parents throughout that section, re- gretting the annual exodus of their daughters to Northern schools, decided to rehabilitate the old seminary. In their search for principal they sought advice from my old university, winch resulted in my being recommended for the position. The salary mentioned was a generous one, and our acceptance was a foregone conciusion, following by re- turn mail. Our dreams were all rose color. and any tiny cloud that obtruded itself seemed so filmy that 1t only heightened the rose tint. Such was our dream.
 Toward the beginning of September, leaving my wife to follow the next week, l arrived alone at the little sem- mary town, and drove immediately to our new home. Arriving at tho big iron gates, I was received by an obse- duitous old negro, called Pompey, who was to be my servant until the arrival of the reg ular corps upon the opening of the school To my satisfaction, I found that everything had been pre- pared for my arrival. From cellar to roof all was in order. For my wifes use and my own there were allotted three rooms opening into each other and all into the main corridor which ran parallel to our suite. My bedroom lay between our private dining room and my study. Everything was taste- fuI and comfortable, and was espe- cially gratified upon observing bright wood fire on the hearth. Pompey called me to an early supper of excellent quality, no doubt his own handtWork. Afterward I strolled out into the grounds
 1t was a soundless, windless night. The lonesomeness of it weighed on me.
 
 there were more cheerful Stlrring sthe fire into a blaze. lit both my can dles,< got out my pipe and gave myself over to the enjoyment Of an ola DOOR which I found on a shelf in my studio. My half open window let in the sweet odors of the gardens, while the nre shut out a certain greWsome reelins ing influences l settled myselt To pass the evening.
 I was about to turn a page of my hook when my attention was arrested by the door of my study slowly opening and as slowly closing. Then, witnln the time 1t would take one to cross the room. the door leading into my dining ,ooyn was in like manner opened and closed. For a moment sat astounded. n,lt presently laughed at myself. or conraa I thought knew what it was an open window in the parlor, another In the dining room, and 'draught be- tween had opened them. Seizing can de, went into my study. The win- Slows were tightly closed. Then to my dining room; everything shut. l was puzzled, but I dismissed the subject on fhe theory of worn out door locks. In any event was big fellow, well able fo care for myself, and, furthermore fancied that the fatigue of travelling had upset my nerves. Closing my book, Y tEh Nln mt my candles and went to bed. How nice it felt, the cool old linen! had sensation of pleasantly falling asleep, but how long slept do not know. was awakened suddenly and sharply and by no obvious cause. I sat up. The room was dark, very dark-darkness like a moving bank of black fog, pal pablo, depressing. I reached for a match, but withdrew my hand with a consciousness of childish fear.
 lay down again, but could not sleep Although acknowledging want of cause, was aware that I was excited My temples throbbed and my tongue silence came sound, at first almost inaudible, but gradually increasing in volume. could not tell whether it was the voice of a human being or some night bird. It was a low, tremu- lous tone, plaintive and sad, now ris- sng, now falling, then dying away alto- gether, like the repressed cry of a weeping woman. I was thoroughly un- strung, but, nerving myself, I sprang out of bed. I struck a match and lit both my candles. Certainly that sound had come from the dining room. Hold ing the candle above my head. I threw open the door and peered in.
 saw nothing unusual about the room Then I made tour of all three rooms and the corridor outside. There was si- fence everywhere. l went back to my bedroom. smoked another pipe, read far into my book. and when I finally blew out my candles the room was filled with the rose gray light of the east, the dawn of another day.
 On October l the school opened. With the arrival of teachers, pupils. luggage and. best of all. my dear wife, these first few days were busy ones with all of I@. There were classes to form and routine to be established, The second floor of the seminary was used exclusively for the pupils dormi- tories, mostly two girls in a room. In . few of the larger rooms there were -Four girls, and in one, just over my own bedroom, there were six. The number of pupils was gratifyingly large. Financially our success was assured. Everything was going smoothly and easily. I had been so busy that I had almost forgotten the occurrences that had robbed me of sleep on the night of my arrival. If thought of them at all it was to pooh pooh the whole thing. was content to enjoy, and refrained from raising speetres