PLAYING THE GHOST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1101, 27 May 1913, Page 4

PLAYING THE GHOST.

YOUNG MAN’S MAD EH EAR. RICHLY DESERVED PUNISHMENT. MELBOURNE, May 12. Women and children living in the vicinity of tho Buninyong road, Ballarat, have been much alarmed by tho antics of a senseless individual who played the ghost. This dastardly conduct was again indulged in last week, and was within an ace of causing tho death of an old man named Henry Realms. Realms. who is over 75 years of age. is the proprietor, of a small dairy at Mount Clear, it was 2 a.in. when Realms was proceeding homewards along the Buninyong road, when a white-clad figure glided noiselessly towards him from under a hedge. Something like phosphorus glowed, all over tho loos© robe of the spectre, which made a grab at the veteran dairyman, who came to a halt in fear and trembling. The old man endeavoured to got away from) the supposed ghost, who made another attempt to seize him.

A number of minors returning f.om the night shift found Roakcs. On hearing his story they wont in ■search of the so-called ghost, wllom, with the aid of their lanterns, they discovered in a hedge about 100 yards away. He proved to bo a young man of about 20 years of ago. He-was seized by the miners, who stripped him of his phantom garb and then gave him a severe flagellation. He cried loudly for mercy, and on being released made olt through the bush. Mr Rcakes was then escorted to his home in a weak state. The name and address of the youth wore not obtained.