Southern planter., 1832-12-01
.LUDICRoUs ANEcDoTE OF cURRAN

lA4OJlOANO01 fAANAaNyO w ORANAN4hANs
From Sir Jonah BGringtoa's Sketches
Cuuan and Darlington were on visit 70
Clergyman near Carlow, who had invited
party Of joviul spirits to meet them. Din
ner was appointed for five precisely, as Cur
ran always stipulated for punctuality. The
clock struck--the guests were assembled-
every thing bespoke O joyous banquct-but
the Counsellor was MOTTO be found. Six, seven
came, day departed, and twilight approached,
people were sent in every direction, but no
tidings Of him could be heard, except that he
had been seen in the garden at four o'clock.
The matter became too serious 20 admit Of
any doubts as 10 poor Curran having met his
catastrophe. ! was greatly shocked, our
only conicctuIes now being not whether but
how he had lost his life. As Currun was
known TO strip naked and wash himself all
over with a sponge and cold water, ! con-
ectured, as most rational, chat he had inlieH
Of his usual ablution, gone 20 the river Bar
row TO be bathed before dinner, and thus un-
fortunately perished All agreed to my hy-
pothesis, and hooks and draw net were sent
for Immediately TO Carlow 70 scour the river
for his body II was at length suggested by
our Rev. Host, that his great Newfoundland
dog, who was equally sagacious II not more
~ tfuI rJitt VI HIS anu ANulltuil
in canine proportion the magnitude Of hisl
master, was not unlikely, by diving iD the
Barrow 70 discover where the body lay deposi-
ted, and thus TO direct the efforts of the nets
and hookers from Carlow. This idea met
with universal APPROPRIATION; and every one
took up his hat, to 90 down TO the river
Mary young damse, the only domestic who
remained in the house, was ordered to call To-
Diver, the dog; but Diver was absent and did
not obey summons Every where resounded
'Diver Diverl"-but in vain. Mary, the
maid, was now desired to search all the rooms
md offices for Diver, whilst we sat pensive
md starving in the parlour We were spec
lily alarmed by a loud shriek, Immediately
fter which Mary rushed tottering into the s
0on, just able TO articulate 90 holy Virginl ;
oly Virgnl Yes, gentlemen, the Counsellor I
! dead sure enough. And I'll die too, gen-
emenl III never recover i'll" and she cross
d herself twenty times over in the way the
'riest had taught her. We now all f1ocked
Ound and asked her simultaneously how she
new the Counsellor was deadl Crossing
ierself again, 'saw his ghost please your
everenceP--"Wherel whereof cried every
ody, as if with one breath ''In the doub-
ed bedded room next your reverence's," stam-
nered the terrified girl We waited for no
more to satisfy us either that she was mad, or
hat robbers were in the house; each person
eized something by way of a weapon; one
ook a poker, another took q candlesticlx, a
bird knife or fire shovel, and upstairs we
ushed. Only one could go in, conveniently |
lbreast; and was among the first who enter |
,d. The candles had been forgotten; but the
noon was rising, and we certainly saw what
n the opinion of some present, corroborated
he statement Of Mary
The three instantly drew back i'm horror.
md attempted TO retreat, but others pressed
behind; and lights being at length produced,
IN exhibition far more ludicrous than terrific
presented itself. In a far corner of the room
stood, erect and formal, and stark naked las a
ghost should be) John PhilpOt Curran, one
Df his Majesty's counsel learned in the law.
trembling as If in the aguc, and scarce a.
BILE to utter syllable, through the combina-
tlon Of cold and terror. Three or four paces
in his front lay Diver from Newfoundland
out his immense shaggy carcase
his long paws extended their full length. and
his great head lying on them with his nose
pointed towards the ghost, as true as the noe.
lie to the pole. His hind legs were gathered
up like those of a wild beast ready 10 snring
lpon his prey. He took an angry notice ~
he first of US that came near him, growled
ind seemed disposed TO resent our Intrusion:
'ut the moment his master appeared his tenn
,er changed, he jumped up wagged his tail.
licked the parsons hand, cast scowling look
Il Curran, and then wishful one a. his
much as to say, q have done INV {
luty now do yours he looked, indeed. as Fl ,
le only waited for the word of command. 10
eize the Counsellor by the throat.
A blanket was now CONSIDERABLY thrown ,
ver Curran by one of the company, and he Z
vas Put 10 bed with half dozen more blan- i
tets heaped upon him. tumbler of hot no. ,
heen punch was administered, and second 1
worked miraclesi the natural heat began TO
rcnloto, and he was in little time enabled /
o rise and tell us a story which no hermit (
ven telling his list beads, could avoid laupb- I
ng at. Related by any one, il would have I
zen good, but as told by Curfan. with liz
owers of description, and characteristic bu- {
pour, was stper-excellent and we had 70 q
Nnk Diver, the water dog, for the higbes, c
Of the whole evening. The fact was
nat a little while previous to dinner tioe
5urran who had omitted his customary obnIi
ION " the morning went to our allotted he'd '