A GHOST WITH A PURPOSE.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 100, 24 January 1901, Page 4

A GHOST WITH A PURPOSE.

A thrilling ghost .story, for the truth of which the write* vouches, is given in the Gentlewoman. A rambling old country-hcuse, which had been untenanted for several f years, was recently purchased by . a gentleman whose name must not be divulged. It belonged to a man l of title, whd had gone abroad ou the sadden and mysterious death of his wife, a very beautiful woman whom he had taken from the ranks of professional singers. Ouq old retainer, a gardener, tfras alovved to stay on. This man, in showing the new tenant over the house, evinced a st/oag desire to pass one door; but, being obliged to yield in the end, disclosed a daintly fur. nished boudoir decorated with flowers. All was as if the roa n were in consts it use. The old gardener begged, with tears, that it might not be disturbed. It belonged to his late mistress, he said, whom he loved, and since her death it had been his consolation to keep her room as though she lived-in it. The old man’s prayer was granted. The room remained locked, and the tenant had almost forgotten its existence until one dfl>y he saw the gardener looking towards the boudoir window, holding his hand to hie ear as if listening. On being asked the reason he exclaimed: “Ah, sir, don’t you hear her? Don’t you see her ? My beautiful mistress I To-day is her deathday, oud she is singing the song she sang this day four years ago, when But listen !” They approached the window, and perceived a fair woman seated at the piano. They listened as her voice rose and fell sweetly, till suddenly it broke in a shriek. of horror, and the apparition vanished. At the same instant they became aware that another man bad been attracted to the spot, and was watching with them—a man who turned and fled as the gardener recognised him, crying: “It was you! I was always sure it was you! The dead claims you!” The man ran headlong, chased by the gardener. The master followed in time to see the stranger stumble blindly on the narrow bridge, and fall into the swirling stream which bounds the park. He was unable to swim, and nothing could move the gardener to rescue. “He murdered my mistress. Why should I save him ?” he repeated, till suddenly, raising his hands as to a vision, ha cried : “ Ah, for you, dear mistress, I will try!” and threw himself into the stream. But it was too late, and he perished with the man who had been his rormer master. The verdict was “ Accidentally drowned,” with no rider as to the spirit-world or retribution.

ONE TO JOHNNY. Johnny was a very dflll sort of lad. His father could make nothing of him, so he determined to send him away to his uncle in the country, who he thought would be sure to sharpen him up a bit.

Johnny arrived in due course, and was shown all over the farm by his uncle, who lost no time in impressing on Igs mind the jnecessity for wearing old things jout first t . before commencing on anything aew. Johnny seemed to take it all in very quietly, and the next morning the following conversation took place:— "Now, Johnny,"said his uncle, *' when you have finished your breakfast I want you to go down to the meadow and bring one of the two horses I Bhowed yon

yesterday." '-'Yes, uncle," said Johnny; " which am X to bring—the old 'un or the young 'un ? " " Now, Johnny," said the uncle, more in sorrow"than in anger, |" what did I tell you yesterday ? How soon you forget I Why. bring the old one, of course. Always wear the old ones out first."

** Oh, well, if that's it," said Johnny, " hadn't you better go and fetch him ? "

What it showed.—Miss Nnwricb: Tw Old-bloods have some plates that have been in the family for a hundred years. Mrs Newrioh: Pooh That jist shows they ain't never had no servant. Wife: Your overcoat is all 07er mud. Husband: It fell last ui&hi when I wri coming home. Why did'nt you keep a firmer hold & it? "Because I had it on at the time."