The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1909-04-09


you. For my own part, shoulo
rather like to see one. Good night
gentlemen"
"Old humbug!" said Hirst. g
should like to put him to the test
Suppose dress up as Jerry Bundlel
and go and give him chance of dis
playing his courage?'
Bravo" said Malcolm, huskily
drowning one or two faint noes
Gust for the joke, gentlemen"
mo, no! Drop it, Hirst," said an
other man.
"Only for the joke" said Hirst, some
what eagerly. 1--WE got some things
upstairs in which am going to play
in the Rivals-knee-breech buckles
and all that sort of thing. It's rare
chance. If you'll wait bit I'll give
you a full-dress rehearsal, entitled
Jerry Bundler; or The Nocturnal
Stranger
'T'll bet you level SOW. you dom
frighten me- said the stout trav
eler.
'Done!" said Hirst. "I'll take the
bet to brighten you first and the
old gentleman afterwards. These gen
tlemen shall be the judges"
He ran lightly upstairs to his room
leaving the others, most of whom had
been drinking somewhat freely, tc
wrangle about his proceedings. Il
ended in two of them going to bed.
Hes crazy on acting" said
Somers, lighting his pipe. Thinks
he's the equal of anybody almost. II
doesn't matter with us, but I won't
let him go to the old man. And he
won't mind so long as he gets an op
portunity of acing to u.s."
"Well, l hope he'll hurry up said
Malcolm, yawning; its after Il
now"
Nearly half an hour passed. Nal
colin drew his watch from his pocket
and was busy winding it when George
the waiter, who had been sent on ar
errand to the bar, burst suddenly into
the room and rushed toward them.
"E's comm, gentlemen" he said
breathlessly.
"Why, you're frightened, George
said the stout commercial, with 6
chuckle.
1T was the suddenness of it," said
George, sheepishly; land besides,
didn't look for SEEM i'm in the bar
There's only a glimmer of light there
and e was sitting on the floor behind
the bar. nearly trod on i'm"
"Oh, you'll never make a man.
George" said Malcolm.
well, it took me unawares." said
the waiter. mot that I'd have gone to
the bar by myself if I'd known e was
there and l don't believe you would
either, sir"
"Nonsense!" said Malcolm. "Ill &c
and fetch him in"
You don't know what it's like, sir
said George, catching him by the
sleeve 1T amt fit to look at by
yourself, it amt, indeed. It's got the
What's that?"
They all started at the sound Of a
smothered cry from the staircase and
the sound of somebody running hur.
riedly along the passage. Before
anybody could speak, the door flew
open and a figure, bursting into the
room, flung itself gasping and shiver-
ing upon them.
What is it? What's the matter?"
demanded Malcolm why, it's Mr..
Hirst." He shook him roughly and then
held some spirit to his lips. Hirst
drank it greedily, and with sharp
intake of his breath gripped him by
the arm.
Light the gas, George" said NAL
colin.
The waiter obeyed, hastily. Hirst,
ludicrous but pitiable figure in
knee-breeches and coat, a large wig
all awry and his face a mess of grease
paint, chung to him trembling.
Now, what's the matter?" asked
Malcolm.
1--WE seen it, said Hirst, with a
hysterical sob. 20 Lord, I'll never
play the fool again, never!"
Seen what?" said the others.
HINT = the ghost = anything!"
said Hirst, wildly.
ROT" said Malcolm, uneasily.
Il was coming down the stairs
said Hirst. "Just capering down-as
l thought ought to do. 1 felt a
tap
He broke off suddenly and peered
nervously through the open door into
the passage.
Il thought 1 saw it again." he
whispered. 'Look-at the foot of
the stairs. Can you see anything?"
mo, there's nothing there" said
Malcolm, whose own voice shook a
little. go on. You felt a tap on
your shoulder"
81 turned round and saw it-a little
wicked head and a white dead face.
Pah!"
That's what 1 saw in the bar"
said George. "'Orrid it was-devil-
ish!"
Hirst shuddered, and, still retaining
his nervous grip of Malcolm's sleeve,
dropped into a chair.
well, it's most unaccountable
thing" said the dumbfounded NAL
colin, turning round to the others. Its
the last time come to this house"
II leave tomorrow" said. George.
81 wouldn't go down to that bar again
by myself, no, not for fifty pounds!"
Its talking about the thing that's
caused it, / expect" said one Of the
men; we've all been talking about
this and having 1t in our minds Prac-
tically we've been forming spiritual.
istic circle without knowing it,"
Hang the old gentleman!" said
Malcolm, heartily. upon my soul,
I'm half afraid to go to bed. It's odd
l. L. - A..