GHOST IN WITNESS BOX.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 46, 23 February 1901, Page 5 (Supplement)

GHOST IN WITNESS BOX.

DEAD MAN GIVES EVIDENT*

It is a common occurrence among (he outer citizens, when phenomena nre under discussion, to liofir oue remark: "Well, that bents all since Jones's ghost:" (says ■ American exchange). And Jones's ghost occupies a Posltiou t'onslderably above that f the average ghost in that It is doubtless the only casfl on record *>~here the testimony of fi ghost was accepted in the settleent of an estate, nml is part of the public ecords. There resided on ;i farm in Denton Mrs Laura Jones, a widow with two sons, Frank mid John, nearly grown, and several smaller children. William Jones, deceased, had been a hard worker and successful fanner and stock-raiser, and at his death had bequeathed to the widow and ler children a model farm. The following ing a fter his death .1 considerable nuuiw of their horses strayed, and after the crops had been garnered it was decided that Frank, the eldest, should endeavour if possible to locate the truant stock, as their entire loss meant a serious blow to ttie fnmlly. On a September morning Frank Jones sped away never to return again in the j es 'h, There was plenty of work to be done 0O thf farm, and time which otherwise ailglit have dragged wearily to the widow Unfilled with labour and pleasant anticipation of the absent one's early return. An occasion"' letter from Frank describing the ' beauties of the country and his own hardpip iv travelling alone through such unsettled regions furnished food for discus6 |qu in the fading twilight. At last a letter came which stated he was ON THE RIGHT TRAIL. This was the last letter ever received. He was then some 200 miles south of the home place, and they began to speculate upon, the day of his probable return. Allowing for delay for grazing the stock en route homeward, a day was set which it was considered, barring unforeseen accidents, should give him ample time for the return journey. The appointed day c/une, but with it; came no Prank and no tidings,'nor the next day nor the next, and as the days lengthened Into, weeks the anxious mother with moistened eyes daily scanned the dusty trail to the southward. On the night of the 7th day of November i there came a sound as of footsteps. After I the usual custom the family had retired learly. The fire had been burning in the wide stone chimney to dispel the chill November winds, and its dying embers were ■easting fitful shadows on the wall. The footsteps approached the door, a hand turned the knob, and someone entered. John was a light sleeper, and being aroused by the'sound aandthe draught through the open doorway, awoke and raised himself on his elbow. He saw the dim outlines of a man, and reaching for his revolver he demanded, "Who's there?" The familiar voice of his brother answered him, and he came and sat down on the foot of John's bed. They conversed together in low tones for some time; but, not earing to disturb his mother, John vouchsafed the information that his room and bed were ready for him just as he had left it, as neither had been occupied during his absence. The dim outlines and retreating footsteps vanished through the opposite doorway, then all was atlll.- John wondered a little that he had heard' no further noise from his brother's room; hut, thankful for his safe return sfrer"£6"ih'aiiy' days' watching, and auticipat^tg her joy when he would tell his inkfet the glad news, he soon fell asleep, lota'was up early, and alter kindling a lire In the kitchen started at once for the bafil to feed and rub down his brother's toflje. He looked in the stall where Frank was accustomed to tie his favourite saddle poiiy,' but it was OtJCTIPIED ONLY BY A STRAY CALF. - Thinking possibly he had turned him out lathe pasture, he searched it. carefully, likewise'the surrounding barnyards, but vj'thont result. Much puzzled' by this oecMrenee, he returned to the house. His mother greeted him at the kitchen door, and Inquired, "What were you talking 'tboot'ln your sleep last night? I heard yon muttering something." "Why, I was talking to Frank, mother," he replied. "He came In last night." "John, you must have fell dreaming. I've been In Frank's room ibis, morning, • *and it's unoccupied. The bed js just like I made it up the day poor frank left." The widow heaved a sigh in her anguish at the thought of the fate which may have overtaken her first-born. John iniuiediateljr.went Into his brother's room, threw open toe blinds, and a flood of sunlight dispelled tlie shadows, but there was no sigii of Ftaiik..fle was becoming seriously alann*teiid returning to the kitchen told his mother part of the conversation he had had With frrank the night before. His mother to a while refused to credit such a thing, sufl ascribed it to too much supper or a Bligbt illness; but John's earnestness in •npfiott of his statement and his fear that something had happened to Frank had its effect, and Mrs Jones began to think that possibly there was something wrong. llow'W, as certain supplies for the farm were ieetol In town, It was decided to hitch up % waggon, take the children, and go 'jiend the day with Uncle Bob Saunders, .Wo was at that time doing a thriving busi»MS hi Denton. Upon arrival there inquiry ■f» made about Frank, and Uncle Bob was ei%!itened as to • JOHN'S STRANGE EXPERIENCE W his -uneasiness.. Mr Saunders being a tfie'tlcdr man and a firm disbeliever hi! things supernatural,-ridiculed the idea and tried his best, to cheer them up, but John's coniitennhee quickfy disclosed to him the %'t that he was not making much headBa5V so In deference to their wishes he" Mil' John started to the telegraph office to 'See if they could learn something from NW'source. While crossing the corner of the public Hum around which were grouped the taslness houses of the town, they were Wed Uy the Sheriff, who approached them wing in his hand a telegraphic envelope. Bs liftiifled the message to John, who, has- % unfolding the yellow paper, read:—

'% Sheriff of Denton County, Denton, %.~Mon found dead near here last night. ra Pef3 disclose identity of Frank Jones of tP'ttfrh. Notify his people.-S. I. WIL-" Sitmpthlng more than a year passed away • divergence of interests.it was ""ought best to dispose of alt the Jones W'operty so it could more easily and equit*ljr be divided among the Heirs, and with M^|d ty.view Boh Saunders, who had administrator, rapidly disjlo^ of the estate until there was nothing . •*'* but the oho tract of land in the south"n- part of the State. He was about to oftet this for sale when John Jones put in and strenuously opposed it. H ° tetused to give any reason for It, but,

thinking it could do no harm to humour him. the administrator postponed the sa'e. After some months the sale was again urged by interested panics, lint again John opposed i(. His uncle refused to listen to further delay without some reusou for it, whereupon John for the first tline told in detail his conversation with the supernatural hf>ing which made Its appearance THE NIGHT OF FRANK'S DEATH. Frauk had told him that he had found the horses on the farm of Mrs Mary Williams, a widow. Upon bearing that Fr^ink owned the adjoining section of land she proposed to purchase it, together with the stock, and sho paid him over the entire purchase money. Not having the necessary papers at hand, Frank was to make out and send her the deed when he returned homo. This ho instructed his brother to do, but for fear of being laughed at he had kept, his own counsel until such time as it became necessary for him to speak. That time had now come, and he declared he would contest with-all his might any attempt to dispose of that tract of land until the matter was thoroughly investigated. Part of his statement having already been verified, it was decided to make some inquiry relative to this Mrs Williams. With this end in view a letter was sent to Mrs Williams asking her for information as to the whereabouts of one Frank Jones. A short time after this she made her appearance In Denton, ami, learning who was adlulnistrator of the Jones estate, presented herself before Mr Bob Saunders and exhibited her receipt for the money paid, and also the bill of sale to the stock which Frank had given her. Her story tallied in every detail with that of John's ghostly visitor. John Jones went before the County Court of Denton County and there made affidavit, which is a matter of record, that his brother Frank had detailed to him his trade with the widow, and that the administrator was in justice bound to furnish her a deed to the property. Although he robbed his own pocket of considerable money he carried out the instructions of his brother's spirit, and the widow reeeiv-

Ed her own