Golden Moments / Bright Stories for Young Folks

THE GHOST IN THE GARDEN.

Harry Peters had to cross the common one evening in the dark, and, though his father had sent him to post a letter, he could not get on, for he saw a ghost, as he fancied, in the garden near the lane, and his hair stood almost on end. There it was, rising white and spectral before him with outstretched, slowly moving arms. Harry uttered a piercing shriek, for the boys at school had told him some dreadful ghost stories, and he quite expected to be carried off by those ghostly beckoning arms. His father was very vexed that he had lost the post, and would not believe he had seen a ghost.

"There are no such things," he said; "light the lantern and we'll drive your ghost away. Some silly boy has been frightening you."

Harry's big brother declared he would pay the boy out for shamming ghosthood, and so the three went together, followed by the dog, barking loudly.

And what do you think Harry's ghost turned out to be? The white shirt belonging to the cobbler, which his wife had hung up to dry in their back garden.

Harry has left off believing in ghosts now; and if ever he sees one again, he intends to go right up to it, and find out all about it, instead of running away.

Artless Anglers

Three little trots made up their minds
That they would fishing go,
For there were fish within the brook,
Their brothers told them so.
Some pins and thread and withes they took,
Likewise a lump of dough.

II.

The eldest of these little trots
Was seven if a day,
And deem'd herself a trusty guide
Because she knew the way
That led down to the waterside,
Where fish for catching lay!

III.

Each quickly into proper shape
Bent up the fatal pin,
And tied it carefully with thread
Upon a withy thin.
Then little Bell the eldest said:
"We're ready to begin!"

IV.

They cast their lines into the brook,
And watch'd with careful eyes
In case some finny feeder might
Be taken by surprise,
And tempted be to have a bite,
Not being overwise!

For hours they sat, but sport had none,
Yet ceas'd not watch to keep;
Then little Bell remark'd I think
They must be all asleep!
Their hopes at last began to sink,
The eldest wish'd to weep!

VI.

Still on they sat most patiently,
Scarce murm'ring at their fate,
When all at once cried little Bell,
"Stupidity I hate!
I see the reason very well,
We quite forgot the bait!"

VII.

Too true! the dough lay there untouch'd
Among the grass and mould;
And now 'twas time they home should go,
As chimes distinctly told;
Moreover rain came on, and so
They only caught a cold!

E. Oxenford.

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