Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1911-08-30
THE UNCANNY
STRANGER +.
b. SHIELD ESTHER DUNN
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

over dirt roads in stagecoach on
the post road between New York and
Boston. in the state of Connecticut,
there stood tavern. Before it swung
sign on which, under portrait Of
King George III, were the words The
Royal Arms" In the room which in
those days was called 1.-The bar sat
number Of petSons, some drinking
from pewter mugs.
The up coach WI be late tonight
said the landlord, giving to the door
and looking out. The road is bad
enough at any time, but on such a
night as this it is we'll nigh inpass-
able"
AS he spoke a gust OF wind shook
| the building. and those in the room
| fortified themselves with a pull at the
! mugs before them.
"A bad night to be on the road" said
4 man in a brown coat and buff
| breeches.
And a merry one for ghosts put
! in a red headed, blear eyed person
whose wig, being awry, gave evidence
| that he had drank too much
Those about him looked at him pro-
testingly and with something of awe.
IF there's any Of 'em about" spoke
up fresh importation from the En-
Grald Isle, you're the first of us that
/. they'll be visitin'.''
A creaking and splashing were
! leard without and the coach drew up
% the door of the tavern. A man Of
;omber appearance descended from
he vehicle and stalked into the bar.
lis eyes were set deep in his head
and surrounded by dark circles, his
cheek bones high. complexion a whitish
cray.
Luggage, STRIP said the landlord
| inquiringly.
Luggage! l need no baggage 1
wish lodgings for the night only, and
IN the morrow shall proceed On my
Quincy"
The stranger attracted the attention
Of every one present.
There's something queer about
him" whispered the man in the brown
Oat to the lrishman. who was cross.
ing himself with his finger under his
0at. The landlord, who was looking
over the keys to his rooms with
| view to selecting one for the stranger,
turned and said:
mo chamber vacant tonight, sir.
Sorry"
Il sleep tonight" replied the guest.
in No. r.
His back was turned to all save the
landlord. so that no one could see his
tace. but they all saw the landlord
urn pale and take down the key to
No. i. The stranger took it, put it in
ais pocket and, sitting down at a ia
DE, called for a glass of hot punch.
Iii a corner sat young man with
lu@H nose, little newspaper and
rug of grog before him, who did not
seem to share the superstitious dread
the others for the mysterious stran-
ger Instead of shivering this young
nan looked at him almost insultingly
The somber man returned his gaze
Sith his great melancholy eyes, but
aiied to strike terror into him.
W hat dye mean" whispered the
rihman. by angerin' the man? Meb-
e lie q ghost.
Ghost" replied the other contemp-
-1ously It'll pull his nose for a shil-
ng. There are no such things as
hosts"
The somber man turned. you
would pull my nose for shiliing?" lie
RED his deep set eyes lighting DIP
18th q fare. Ill give you chance to
uiI your grandfather's nose for f20."
'.2-y grandfather has been dead these
lirty years and is not likely to come
ack to earth for the purpose Of get
ing his nose pulled"
For f2C, say. I'll have him here.
E fail. t20 is yours"
4 have bat rs. Cd. Will that server
NO. Now cease your talk
Come. neighbOrs,' said the man
with the hook nose, cant you help me
to show up this pretender?'
The cupidity of those present over
! balanced their superstition. and they
( began to feel in their pockets for coins.
! Twenty pounds was made up among
J them, each man to receive as much in
! addition at the winning of the bet as
he put in, and handed to the man with
the hook nose. The stranger produced
as much.
who shall hold the stakes?" asked
the hook nosed man.
! Hold them yourself
! Twill not one of the gentlemen do as
wel?''
NO; you alone will know which
wins
|
"All right And the hook nosed
man pOcketed the money.
"Now." said the stranger, handing
him his key. '.go to No. II and stay
there till the bet is won or lost
The hook nosed man did as he was
bid. and the stranger, sitting down in
the corner left vacant. apparently sank
into slumber. Presently a terrible
shrek was heard on the floor above. 1t
was repeated again and again. When