The Washington times., 1907-08-25

lions. The mar
row stree 5.
which had been
thronged WI tn
people, were now almost deserted; the
cheap-jack from London, with TIE
remnant Of breath left him after his
evenings exertions. was making feeble
attempts to blow out his naphtha
lamp. and the last shops open were
rapidly closing for the night.
In the comfortable conee-room or
the old Bears Head. half a dozen
guests, principally commercial travel
ers. sat talking by the light Of the
fire. The talk had drifted from trade
to politics. from politics to religion,
and so, by easy stages. TO n super
natural Three ghost stories, never
known 10 fail before. had fallen nat;
there was too much noise outs lie. too
much light within. The fourth story
was told by al old hand with more
success; the streets were quiet. and
ne had turned the gas out. In the
aickerinE light OF the fire, as It shone
on the glasses and danced with
shadows on the walls. the story proved
so enthraIliDg that George, the waiter,
whose presence had been forgotten,
created a very disagreeable sensation
by suddenly starting up from dark
corner and gliding silently from the
room. That's what I call a good
story" said one Of the men, slipping
his hot whisky. ''Of course. it's an
old idea that spirits like to get into
the company OF human beings. A
man told me once that he Travelled
down the Great Western with ghost.
ana hadn't the slightest suspicion OF
4 Until the inspector came for tick
cts. Ny friend said the way that
ghost tried to keep up appearances by
feeling for it In all its pockets. and
looking on the fiOor was quite touch
ing. Ultimately it gave It up and,
with a faint groan. vanished through
the ventitator."
''That'u DO. Hrst," said another
man
ITS not a subject for jesting," said
q little old gentleman who had been
an attentive listener. "rVe never seen
an appar4r1on myself, but know peo-
Die who have, and consider that they
form q very interesting link between
Us and the aftsriife. There's a ghost
story connected with this house, you
know"
Never heard Of t." said another
speaker. land I've been here some
years now"
1T dates back a long time now
said the old gentleman you've heard
about jerry Bundisr, Georgef"
We'll, I've t1st card odds and ends.
sir" said the old waiter, but never
put much count TO EN-. There was
one chap ere what said . saw II.
ard the goYner sacked i'm prompt
NY father was q native Of this
town. said the old gentleman, 'and
knew the story well He was a truth
fui man and a steady churchgOer. but
I've heard him declare that once in
hts life he saw the appearance OF Jerry
Bundler jn this house"
and who vas this Bundler7'' In
quired q voice.
"a London thief. picl<pocket. high
vayman-anything he could turn his
dishonest hand to- replied the old
gentlemani "and he was run to earth
in this house or Christmas week some
eighty years ago. He took his last
supper in this very room. and after
he had gone up 70 bed q couple Of
Bow. Street runners, who had followed
him from London. but lost the scent
a bit. went upstairs Eith the landlord
and tried the door. It was stout oak,
and fast, so one went into the yard,
and. by means OF & short ladder. got
onto the wtnd0W-siIl, while the other
stayed outside the door. Those below
in the yard saw the man croUching
on the sill, and then there was q sud
den smash Of glass, and with q cry
ha fell IN q heap on the stones at
their feet. Then IN the moonlight they
saw the white face Of the pickpocket
peeping over the sill, and. while some
stayed IN the yard. others ran into
the house and helped the other man
TO break the door in. It was difficult
10 obtain an entrance even then. for
II was barred with heavy furniture,
but they got in at last. and the first
thing that met their eyes was the