is a Harmless Ghost?
One who walks quietly at dead of night,
For just a single hour or so at most,
And never gives folks what is termed a fright?
Is it a Ghost that never clanks his chains,
That never gibbers, and that bangs no door:
But quietly and peacefully remains
In calm possession of some upper floor?

A Harmless Ghost is not a Ghost at all,
Unworthy of the name; no Headless Man,
Or other spectre that could men appal,
Would condescend to live 'neath such a ban.
No phantom with a grain of self-respect
Would make a promise never to do harm.
Find your old house, but please to recollect,
A Ghost who knows his business _must_ alarm.

* * * * *

MORE MASQUERADING.

DEAR MR. PUNCH,

WITH reference to the several cases of "Masquerading" that have
recently been mentioned in the columns of a contemporary, I wish to
add a remarkable experience of our own firm, that, if it does not
completely clear the matter up, may at least serve to throw a little
light upon the subject. Last Friday afternoon a middle-aged man of
unmistakable City build dashed wildly into our establishment, and
desired to be supplied with "the largest pantomime head" with which we
could furnish him. This we fortunately had in stock in the shape of a
large green and phosphorescent faced representation of the "Demon of
Despair," which was rendered additionally attractive through being
supplied with a "trick eye," which worked with a string.

It was evidently of the greatest importance to him that the head
should be natural and becoming, and by the close and satisfied
scrutiny he gave it, and the great care with which he fitted it
on, the one with which we supplied him evidently fully answered his
requirements. His manner was certainly strange, for though he refused
to give his address, he took several flying leaps across the shop,
turning a double back somersault as he cleared the counter, and
finally asked me whether I thought him sufficiently disguised to avoid
recognition in his own immediate circle?

I told him candidly that I thought his large head, being peculiar,
might possibly draw upon him notice that otherwise he would fail to
arouse, and I added, "You see, it is not as if there were a dozen of
you."

"True," he replied; "you're quite right. There ought to be a dozen of
us. Look out the heads. I will go and fetch 'em." And he dashed out of
my establishmen