The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-10-20
THE FORCE OF EDUCATION;
OR THE GHOST STORY.

It was ten o'clock-the moon was veled
in murky clouds, and no lone star twinkled
in the armament. All nature had sunk to
rest, and was silent and solemn as the Sc
pulchral shade of death: and l, as rode
slowly onward towards the cottage of my
father, through thick forest of lofty oaks,
had fallen into sort of sober, pleasing mel
ancholy: sudden as thought, it occurred to
me, that few hundred PAGES before me,
and directly in my road, AIN unfortunate
worshippcr of Bacchus had but recently in
fit of INVESTIGATION, been dashed by his
horse against tree and instantly killed!
My first sensation was one of chilling, sud-
den fear. But what should l fear? l had
long before rejected and expunged from my
creed. the ridiculous ghost stories OF the lg-
norant, rs irrational, unmanly and vulgar.
Yet in vain did protest to the stiffness OF
the night, that l did not believe syllable
of all the ghost stories that had ever been
rctailed in the circles of superstition and
ignorance, still my fears diminished very
little, or remained in full force, or rose still
higher. And now my philosophy gained
temporary ascendency, and now my terrors
prevailed In childhood heard those tool
ish tales, and in the ignorance OF childhoou
had then believed those ghostly and terrible
narratives, and still those impressions OF
early childhood hung around my heart and
made me wretched. AS l approached the
dreaded spot, conflict, dreadfully severe,
was carried on between my philosophy and
superstitious fears. but firmly resolved, be
the consequence what it might, would go
on and see whatever might be seen! l whis
tied to drown my fears this would not do,
and sang as loud as ever could but even
| the echo of my voice seemed alarming, ana
again l was silent My understanding
stood fast to her philosophy, and declared
against any fear of any alarming sight, but
my heart cared not for this, but palpitated
as freely as if had no understanding.
My heart declared my head liar, and
my head declared my heart fool Still,
however. rode on. until the dreaded spot
was just before mel The place was at a
descent in my way, and had first to ascend
the peaked hill before could approach or
see it; so that the foot of the fatal tree
cold not be seen until l was within a few
PAGES of it. At this point looked with ca
ger fear to the spot-involuntary bore up
on the rein and stopped my horse tor, at
the place where the tree stood, nought
was to be seen but a whitish object OF con-
fused and uncertain shape!-I was ashamed
to go back, and afraid to 30 forward But
family shame prevailed, and cautiously
moved to the spot! And now crowned my
philosophy completely triumphant, for the
dreadful object was but the stump of the IA
tai tree, which had but just been cut down
for the better security of other worthy citi-
zens in like condition.
A cowardly general who happens to con,
quer his foe, is almost sure, when there
appears no danger to carry his conquest toe
far; so, knew my boasted philosophy wa
virtually beaten in the contest, yet fsl
! 7 iar pn ri. u
: resolved to convince myself that this Wal
not the case, and to do this by carrying m,
victory into the enemy's territory; SO dow
: got off my horse. and boldly seated myse.
I on the stump which had SO alarmed me
+ and declared myself possessed of no com
mon degree of fortitude to do so. And lon
ger had | enjoyed my proud triumph O
c reason, bu. for a heavy tread that was heart
a at the foot of the hill, on my left, in thu
r. wood, crushing the dry bush which lay OF
Il the ground, and advanced towards the road
: Again my forttude began to fail but un
Il willing so soon to lose the spoils OF my ra
!, tional conquest, maintained my position, bu
h not without some perturbation, ,and not with
out fixing my eye on the place. from which
the noise proceeded. Still the sound ap
!, preached, the footsteps seemed to strike th
Il earth more and more heavily, until larg
:, snow white body that seemed not to toucl
r the ground, appeared, aud paused in th
:" midst of the road before me. sprang o.
e my horse, without being conscious OF having
e changed my position at all, until it wa
v done! Again l looked, and the ghostl
+ form had assumed another shape, and
e large ball of fire, which seemed to answe
! as an eve, glared on the sullen gloom c
y night Every hair seemed nerve, and m
c hat seemed raised off my head Again tn
:; apparition passed through another transmi
II grafton, and now two dreadful fiery ball
IS glared on me Cold chills ran over m
d body, and ice seemed to creep or to oonges
N along every vein! And now dismal nois
it was heard like hard and heavy inspiratio
: of breath in the desperate struggles {
a death.
e NV whole frame shuddered, and all m
is philosophy fed from my head, and nike
with the terrified blood as it ran from M
extremites, and rushed upon my hear
s. where philosophy and blood together, seem
e ed instantly to freeze! And now, as til
ID breath thus inspired, was poured upon th
IN stiffness of the echoing woods, in hoars
" and hollow sound, l was going to do, kno'
is not what But distinctly recollected wha
in l did do laughed-and we'll might, to
" no sooner had fairly heard that dreadft
,e sound, than recognized in it, the lowing {
= l. -. 4