A Churchyard Ghost.

hill , nearly under the shadow of the old church , which , as already stated stands high up , its wooden turret being a beacon to mariners , and is annuall y painted by the Trinity Board . Cheerfully joining in the evening meal , which consisted of tea , home-made bread and butter , and watercress fresh from a spring close by , I soon felt much refreshed . The meal being finishedmy cousin proposed a strolland

, , we went forth . Our way was up the lane and through the churchyard , from west to east . We passed in at the wicket gate , ancl had only advanced a few paces along the pathway , when my cousin suddenly stopped and said , " Look ! What is that standing by the church porch ? " I did look , and what I beheld appeared to be the gaunt figure of a man some eight feet highdressed in a shroud ; there it stoodbolt uprightin the

, , , middle of the pathway , facing us , and as motionless as statue . Both of us agreed that it could not be anything else but a grave-risen corpse . The outline of head , shoulders , folded arms , and hips , could be distinctly seen ; although the twilight was deepening , there was yet light enough left to enable us to trace the deep dark sockets and sunken glaring eyes . We stood and gazed for a moment , hesitating , considering . We decided to

proceed on our wa } -, ancl as we did so the unearthly-looking visitor stood its ground . Its dimensions seemed to expand ; the nearer we approached it the larger it grew . When close upon it , all of a sudden it moved . The appearance of the figure was changed in an instant , ancl what just before looked like an inhabitant of the spirit world , clothed in its grave-habiliments , was now nothing but a poor old white horse which belonged to the parish clerk . This animal was standing , as already described , with its head towards us , and hearing the gate move , no doubt thought it was its kind and venerable master bringing it a measure of corn . Hence its steadfastness until we neared it .

If any person will take the trouble to stand a short distance off ri ght in front of a white horse , they will readily understand that when the one in the churchyard stood still with head up , and looked towards us , how that we , in the dim light of evening , thought that we beheld a ghost . I am indebted to the son and grandson of the owner of this churchyard visitant for the illustration that heads this little tale , which is written for the purpose of explaining what might have given rise to a story of a churchyard

apparition , real and authenticated , if it had onl y happened to anyone who had seen it and turned away frightened ; or such an appearance occuring to some delicate ancl highly nervous lady or ladies , might have caused quite a sensation by producing an attack of hysterics or fainting fits . In such cases the real cause and true character of the ghost-like sight might never have been known . Then , again , in writing this " o ' er true tale , " my object is to bring

forward and to make more generally known the proposed restoration of Minster ' s hallowed fane . The operative masons , I hope and believe , are to shortly commence the good work , and if the editor of the Masonic Magazine will kindly allow me a few words , as a gentle reminder to his readers , I will add that money is still needed to bring the restoration fund up to the amount required . A word to the wise , the benevolent , and the charitable is usually enough to bring about the thing desired . So mote it be .