A beam of light fell o'er him,
Like a glory round the shriven,
And he climbed the lofty ladder,
As it were a path to heaven.
Then came a flash from out the cloud,
And a stunning thunder's roll,
And no man dared to look aloft,
Fear was on every soul.
There was another heavy sound,
A hush!--and then--a groan,
And darkness swept across the sky,--
The work of death was done!




A GHOST STORY, FOR THE YOUNG.


MY DEAR CHARLES--

When I promised to write to you during the holidays, I little thought
I should have so much to put in my letter. I actually fancied it would
be difficult to find enough to fill one sheet; and now I do really
believe two will not be sufficient for all I have to say: but to
commence my story, which you must know, is a real Ghost Story! But to
begin:--

While we were at breakfast the other morning, papa showed mamma an