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Article THE WHITE APRON. ← Page 4 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The White Apron.
the parlour , muffled up in a great coat , with his hat pressed down over his eyes , and took a seat without speaking or uttering a word . The strange and unaccountable demeanour of the guest naturally drew the attention of the company , more especially when it was observed that the eyes of the intruder were intently fixed upon John Owen , whose countenance , naturally of a bold and fearful character , began to show every
symptom of fear and horror . No one stirred or spoke for some minutes —there was a dead pause , till at last Owen started up and rushed out of the room , calling for his horse . He had no sooner left the room than the stranger arose also ; and it was then that the company perceived , by the great coat flying open , that round his waist was tied a White Masonic Apron . " The ghost of farmer Waring ! " cried out several of
the company , while all made for the door ; but the figure receded , and having placed his back against it , exclaimed " True flesh and blood , my friends ; do not be alarmed , I will soon explain the reason of my long absence . " The exclamations of astonishment and pleasure were loud and gratify ing to Waring ' s feelings : he found that he was respected and beloved by his neighbours , and therefore felt , in some measure , relieved and inwardly compensated for the extreme sufferings he had
undergone . Now for Waring ' s statement of facts , which took place on the night in question . " On the evening , when I retired from the inn , I slowly pursued my path home , under the full impression that John Owen ivould follow me . He said as much during the evening , although his remark was not
particularly noticed by the company . Sure enough , I had not ridden more than a mile before Owen overtook and immediately challenged me , if I were not a cowardly poltroon , to fig ht him . I was fully prepared for his offer , ancl perfectly willing , and even desirous , to thrash the bravado out of him , consequently I accepted the offer without delay . We were both on horseback and armed with sticks ; we did not dismount , but
immediately commenced the assault with determined spirits . I need not add , that our scuffle was of a sanguinary character : at any rate , it was so carried on by Owen , as the event ivill prove . I kept myself as
cool as it was in my power , and I felt by that means that 1 was at last gaining the advantage of my opponent . He felt this also , and at a moment when I had laid firm hold of his stick , and was about to give him a stroke upon his right arm , which would have disabled him from pursuing the conflict , he drew a sword from the stick , and , cowardly , ran me through the bod ! I cannot tell you much of the events that
y followed : it appears , however , that I still kept firm upon my horse , which started off and conveyed me to a considerable distance , but not towards my home . I was found , on the following morning , on the road side , by the servants of a gentleman residing not far distant from the VOL . n . F
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The White Apron.
the parlour , muffled up in a great coat , with his hat pressed down over his eyes , and took a seat without speaking or uttering a word . The strange and unaccountable demeanour of the guest naturally drew the attention of the company , more especially when it was observed that the eyes of the intruder were intently fixed upon John Owen , whose countenance , naturally of a bold and fearful character , began to show every
symptom of fear and horror . No one stirred or spoke for some minutes —there was a dead pause , till at last Owen started up and rushed out of the room , calling for his horse . He had no sooner left the room than the stranger arose also ; and it was then that the company perceived , by the great coat flying open , that round his waist was tied a White Masonic Apron . " The ghost of farmer Waring ! " cried out several of
the company , while all made for the door ; but the figure receded , and having placed his back against it , exclaimed " True flesh and blood , my friends ; do not be alarmed , I will soon explain the reason of my long absence . " The exclamations of astonishment and pleasure were loud and gratify ing to Waring ' s feelings : he found that he was respected and beloved by his neighbours , and therefore felt , in some measure , relieved and inwardly compensated for the extreme sufferings he had
undergone . Now for Waring ' s statement of facts , which took place on the night in question . " On the evening , when I retired from the inn , I slowly pursued my path home , under the full impression that John Owen ivould follow me . He said as much during the evening , although his remark was not
particularly noticed by the company . Sure enough , I had not ridden more than a mile before Owen overtook and immediately challenged me , if I were not a cowardly poltroon , to fig ht him . I was fully prepared for his offer , ancl perfectly willing , and even desirous , to thrash the bravado out of him , consequently I accepted the offer without delay . We were both on horseback and armed with sticks ; we did not dismount , but
immediately commenced the assault with determined spirits . I need not add , that our scuffle was of a sanguinary character : at any rate , it was so carried on by Owen , as the event ivill prove . I kept myself as
cool as it was in my power , and I felt by that means that 1 was at last gaining the advantage of my opponent . He felt this also , and at a moment when I had laid firm hold of his stick , and was about to give him a stroke upon his right arm , which would have disabled him from pursuing the conflict , he drew a sword from the stick , and , cowardly , ran me through the bod ! I cannot tell you much of the events that
y followed : it appears , however , that I still kept firm upon my horse , which started off and conveyed me to a considerable distance , but not towards my home . I was found , on the following morning , on the road side , by the servants of a gentleman residing not far distant from the VOL . n . F