ed Christmas ghost stories I ever came across; also
a ghost story which has two rather unique advantages. First, it has
never been published before; secondly, the percipient was the matron of
a boys' school (a well-known one), and wrote out her experiences _within
twelve hours of their occurrence_.

Now, the matron of a large boys' school must, of necessity, be an
exceptionally practical woman, and her daily experiences can scarcely
tend to encourage undue Romance or Imagination.

When I add that this story was given to me, and a copy of the original
letter placed in my hands, by a sister of two of the schoolboys who were
under the matron's supervision, I shall have cleared the way for my
ghost to appear upon the scene.

I must add, however, that I met this sister, a young widow, in
Florence, two years ago. She then told me this story, finding that I
was intimately acquainted both with the county and the small county
town where it happened.

The matron had gone there for the prosaic purpose of taking the baths
for her rheumatism.

The adventure took place in the early morning of 14th April 1875, and
was recorded, within a few hours, in a long letter written by the
percipient to a favourite cousin.

My friend, Mrs Barker's brothers being at school at the time, begged to
be allowed to read this letter and take a copy of it. The copy was made
by their sister--then a young girl--and I have it in my hands at the
present moment of writing.

It is, of course, necessary to change the name of the county and town,
as the old family mansion, let in lodgings in 1875, has since then been
sold and turned into a boarding-house.

Mrs Barker's mother made an expedition to this town, a few years ago, to
verify the facts, and went over the house, which has been considerably
altered and reconstructed inside since 1875.

The small park mentioned in the story is now built over entirely, as the
town has increased in popularity, owing to its baths, and the family
portraits here mentioned have been removed since the house was sold.

I will now quote _verbatim_ from the matron's letter, _written on the
morning of her experiences_.

"The Priory, Grantwich.
"14th April 1875.
"MY DEAR EDIE,--When you asked me once for a ghost story, I daresay you
as little expected, as I did, how soon I should have to reveal to you an
experience which will doubtles