Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-02-28
SPOKE TO A GHOST
Queer Incident In Which Bishop
Wilberforce Figured.
THE STORY THE SPIRIT TOLD.


Have Been Made by the Quiet Cieri-
cal SPeeter That Had Long Haunted
an English Country House.
The following remarka BILE incident in
the life of the late Samuel Wherefore,
bishop OF Oxford and afterward of
Winchester. Is related as absolutely au-
thentic. and the good bishop himself is
said to have many times rehearsed the
story to his friends:
On a certain occasion the worthy
bishop had accepted an invitation to
stay at country house not far from
London. Entering the drawing room
previous TO dinner on the evening OF
his arrival, he noticed clergyman sit
ting by the open fire and taking no
part in the general conversation. The
bishop WAS somewhat surprised at not
being presented TO the clergyman, and
his establishment was great when a
few moments later. dinner being an
nounced. the guests retired, leaving the
clergyman mt his place by the fire. The
hostess having assigned Bishop VIII
berforce the seat of honor at her right
hand. rs soon as an opportunity offer
ed he remarked:
Il beg your pardon. madam, but may
L inquire who was the clergyman we
left sitting in the drawing room?"
"Ah. you have seen him, then?" re-
piled the lady. ut is not every one
who has that privilege 1 cannot tell
you who he is or whence he comes.
For many years this specter has haunt
ed the house and grounds. 1t has, in
fact. been tradition in the family. He
seems to do no BARN, and, although he
appears only occasionally, we have be-
come quite accustomed to our friendly
ghost"
How very singularw remarked his
lordship. But have you never ad-
dressed your specter?"
Indeed, ! have had no opportunity.
nor the desire. for that matter" re-
sponded the hostess. growing pale.
' May take the liberty now?" in
quired the dignitary.
with all my heart. your lordship,"
replied the lady. The bishop arose
and. returning to the drawing room.
found the clergyman where he had
left him few minutes before. Hav-
Ing NO fear. the bishop said kindly:
Who are you, my friend, and why |
are you here"
The specter seemed to sigh deeply
md say as though to itself, AT lastv'
Then in hollow voice. addressing
the bishop, 1t continued: Il am the
spirit Of q Clergyman who left this
world some eighty years ago, and l
am here to impart to any one who will
receive 1t a secret which died with /
me. 1 could not rest In my grave
while a great wrong was being done
which 1t was In my power to right l |
nave been returning all these years in |
the hope some one would address me.
Tor It was not given to me to be the |
FIRST to speak. All men have Stunned |
me until now, and it is your mission |
TO do my bidding. l was called to this |
house eighty years ago to receive a
concession from a dying man. he |
was the sole possessor of a secret the
knowledge of which would alter ma
terially the entail Of this vast estate.
and In his death he wished to repair
the terrible wrong upon his kin.
AT his request wrote down the
confession word for word as he gave
IL TO me. and when he finished he ex-
pired In my arms. 1t was very impor-
tant that I should return to London
mat night, and In passing through the
library to leave the house concluded
IL would be safer not to carry the pa
per ON which was written the confes-
sion away with me, but to place 1t In
some secure, unseen spot, where |
could obtain 1t the following day and
oeiver the document to the person for
whom 1t was Intended. Mounting the
steps to the bookshelves, i took out a
copy OF Young's Night Thoughts
which was the first book upon the M
permost shelf nearest the last win
dow. and. inserting the paper careful
~ between its leaves. I replaced the
DOCK and departed. A horse was
awaiting me at the door, but ere we
reached the entrance Of the grounds
ne took fright. / was thrown and In.
stantly killed. Thus died the secret
WITH me. No one has disturbed that
DOCK In all these years. and no one
has had the courage to address this
messenger from the unknown. The
paper will be found as 1 have stated.
ana it remains for you to correct the
I'M Justice which has so long been upon
This noble family. My mission IS over.
and l can rest In peace"
AT the close Of this remarkable
speech the specter faded gradually
from sight. and the bishop was left
gazing into space. Recovering from
bis establishment. Bishop Wherefore
went at once to the library and found
the book exactly as indicated by the