d the 'Squire.

"What's the matter?" he demanded of the affrighted servant.

"Oh, sir," she gasped, "I'm almost kilt entirely."

"Are you?" said the 'Squire, "you appear to be more frightened than
hurt."

"Yes, sir, shure I am frightened, which indeed I couldn't help it, sir,
for I never saw a ghost before in all my life."

"A ghost! What nonsense are you talking, Hannah?"

"Shure it's not nonsense, for it's just now that the ghost came to the
door, sir, and knocked, and I went to the door thinking it might be me
cousin, who's been passing the evening with me, when I saw a great white
ghost, ten foot tall, standing forninst me."

"Ten feet tall?"

"Yes, sir, and he spread out his arms and spoke in a terrible voice, and
was going to carry me off wid him, but I dropped the lamp, and O sir,
I'm kilt entirely."

"This is a strange story," said 'Squire Newcome, rather suspiciously; "I
hope you have not been drinking."

Hannah protested vehemently that not a drop of liquor had passed her
lips, which was true.

"I'll go out and hunt for the ghost," said the 'Squire.

"Oh, don't sir. He'll carry you off," said Hannah, terrified.

"Nonsense!" exclaimed the 'Squire. "Follow me, or you may stay here if
you are frightened."

This Hannah would by no means do, since the 'Squire had taken the lamp
and she would be left in the dark.

Accordingly she followed him with a trembling step, as he penetrated
through the kitchen into the back room, ready to run at the least alarm.

The back-door was wide open, but nothing was to be seen of the ghost.

"Perhaps the ghost's up-stairs," said Hannah, "I can't sleep up there
this night, shure."

But something had attracted Squire Newcome's attention. It was quite
muddy out of doors, and Ben had tracked in considerable mud with him.
The footprints were very perceptible on the painted floor.

"The ghost seems to have had muddy shoes," said the 'Squire dryly; "I
guess I can find him."

He followed the tracks which witnessed so strongly against Ben, to whose
chamber they led.

Ben, though still awake, appeared to be in a profound slumber.

"Ben-ja-min!" said his father, stooping over the bed.

There was no answer.

"Ben-ja-min!" repeated his father, giving him a shake, "what does all
this mean?"

"What?" inquired Ben, opening his eyes, and looking very innocent.

"Where have you been, to-night?"

"You sent me to bed," said Ben, "and I came."

But the 'Squire was not