New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-20
Copyright. By ". ". ykeoss.)

II wanted q few nights 20 Christmas a festival
for which the small market town OF dorchester
was making extensive preparations The narrow
streets. which had been tlronged with people, were
now almost deserted: the cheap-jack from Lon
don. with thu remnant Of breath left him after
his evenings exertions was making feeble at
teEpts 20 blow out his naphtha lamp. and the last
shops open were rapidly closing Cor the night.
In the comfortable coffee room Of the old Bears
Head half a dozen guests. principally commercial
travellers. sat talking by the light Of the fire. The
talk had dr1fted from trade 20 politics. from pol
itics 70 religion, and by easy stages 20 the su-
pernatural Three ghost stories, never known 10
fail before. had fallen fat; there was too much
noise outside. TOO much light within. The fourth
story was told by an old hand with more sue
cess; the streets were quiet, and he had turned
the gas out. In the hickering light OF the fire. as
II shone on the glasses and danced with shadows
on the walls the story proved enthralling that
George, the waiter, whose presence had been for
gotten, created a very disagreeable sensation by
suddenly starting Up from dark and GID
ing silently from the room. That's what ] call
a good story" said one OF the men. slipping his
hot whisky. ''Of course, it's an old idea that
spirits like 10 get into the company OF human be-
ings. man told once that ne travelled down
the Great Western with a ghost and hadn't the
slightest suspicion Of II until the inspector came
for tickets. Ny friend said the way that ghost
tired to keep up appearances by feeling for in
all its pockets and looking the floor quite
touching. Ultimately It gave Il up and with a
faint groan vanished through the ventilator."
"Thatu do. Hirst." said another man.
It's not a subject for jesting" said little old
gentleman who had been attentive listener.
I've never seen an apparition myself. but know
people who have, and consider that they form a
very interesting link between US and the after
life. There's a ghost story connected with this
ho1se you know"
Never heard Of f." said another speaker and
I've been here some years now"
1T dates back long time now" said the old
Ge0rCe2'
We'll. I've Just card odds and ends sir" said
IT, old waiter. but / never put much count TO
EN- There was one chap ere what said e
H. and the gov'ner sacked i'm prompt
My father was q native OF this town. said the
1-old gentleman. and knew the story well. be
was "a truthful and a steady churchgoer but
I've heard him declare that once in his life he saw
TIE appearance Of Jerry Bundler in this house"
and no this Bundler?" inquireds voice
"A London thief. pickpocket. hghwayman-any
thing he could turn his dishonest hand to-" replied
the old gentleman; and he was run 10 earth in
this house Christmas week some eighty years
ago He took his last supper in this very room
Rnd after he had gone up to bed a couple of Bow
tfeet runners. who had followed him from London
out lost the scent "A Dit, Went upstairs with the
landlord and tried tie door. II stout oak, and
iast so one went into the yard and by means OF
snort ladder got the window SILL sghile
the other stayed outside the door. Those below IN
nc yard saw the man crouching on the SILL and
tnen there was sudden smash OF glass. and with
cry he fell in heap the stones at their feet
Then IL the moonlight they the white face OF
the p!ckpocket peeping the sill. and while some
stayed in the yard, others ran into the house and
helped the other man 70 break the door in. II was
oincult 10 obtain an entrance even then, for IL
was barred with heavy furniture. but they got in
a. last. and the first thing that met their eyes
the body OF Jerry dangling from the top OF the bed
D. his own handkerchief"
Which bedroom it2' asked two three
voices together.
The narrator shook his head. THAT can't tell
you; but the story goes that Jerry still haunts this
house. and my father used 20 declare positively
pa the last time he slept here the ghost OF Jerry
sundler lowered itself from the top OF his bed and
tried 70 strange him"
''Thsrn do" said an uneasy voice 81 wish
you'd thought 10 ask your father which bedroom
Il was"
What fOrR' inquired the old gentleman
Well should take care not 20 sleep In II,
that's ALL" said the voice. shortly.
There's nothing 70 fear" said the other. Il
don't believe FOR that ghosts could really
hurf one. In fact, my father used 20 confess that
IL wa only tho unpleassntness OF the thing that
upset aim. and that for all practical purposes
JerTys fingers might have been made OF cotton
wool for all the harm they could do"
That's al very nne." said the last speaker againi
a ghost story is q ghost story. sir; but when a
sentleman tells tale OF ghost IN the house in
Which one IS going 20 sleep call It most ungen-
t.msnly!"
"POohi nonsense said the old gentleman. rising:
ghosts can't hurt you For my own part. should
sathsr Ike 70 one. Good night gentlemen
Good night said the others And only hope
serryh pay you visit" added the nervous man
az the door closed
Bring some mbre whiskey George" said G stout
commercial; Il want keeping when the talk
Turns thls way"
~ka&l Light the gas. Mr. MAloolmr' ssio
Deere
AsiSAs arse ~ eomApsSAsaa." 80 tbs tss~s-