The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1836-02-17
GHOST OF MY UNCLE.

lCsncnded-l
The spectre gazed wildly round for a moment-at
the clock-at the fre-and then turned lis eyeless
socket upon each individual, motioning al the same
time with its long arm, and pointing TO the outer door,
seemingly directing 10 outlet for escape, and wish
ing for their exit They long in obeying this
intmaton, bot severally crawied away their hands
and knees, with all the speed they could possibly make
of them daring stand upright. The spectre all
the while standing in the middle ofthe floor, cycling,
or rather appearing eye them hrou gh the void sock
cts, where eyes had glistened, they reIreaed
by in the greatest fear and trepiation. When
Peggy and offered to decamp aoug it'll the rest, the
spectre mOtoned US 10 remain where were, and We
burst not for lives disobey. When the last of the
making his exit and had erawled nearly to
the door, the spectre, which had hitherto stood
tOness, except waving It's arm and slowly turning It's
eyeiess cOuntenance ON the wretches as they crept
successfully of the door, bounded with the apidy
OF tightening after the terrified wretch. But swift as
tue flight OF spirits are, this that of the mortal
swifIeT: the fellow gave thrilling screan-Inade
cOnvulsive spring-hs heels struck violently against
the Intel of the door in his course, and he vanished
from my sight and the spectre after him. "Gude de-
fend Us said Peggy. For my part, I'll "a | was
frightened, could forbear laughing outright al
the last incident so comic and farcical."
Half minute had not elapsed, when heard step,
and in another instant Il still kept my eyes the door,
iu the very form of nv uncle, mutering, Z" Vii
laias Rascals. HypOcntes!' He fastened the door
after him, shut out his nephaws and the spectre, and
then came Yards the IRE. Al this was more amazed
than He, however, gave TO understand that
ne alive and well, and that all had
ed in the afternoon and evening, nothing but a
sratagem he had made oto try the sinceritv of his
relations, and he found than, he cOnjectured false
m their professions, 10 get rid of them The scheme
answered nOby, it be confessed the stratagem
well planned and exceedingly well executed
Ny uncle concluded his relation by assuring me, that
excepting good legacy for his faithful servant Peggy,
4 should intent all he possessed, some lte ac-
acknowledgement for the fright he had caused me- and
as for the wretches he had expelled from his house, in
singular a manner, they Should never the
threshold OF his door. We all three sat down TO
ifte supper, of which my uncle stood in great need,
and after taking cheerful glass retired to bed.
Notwithstanding the fatigue of my journey, and sit
fI8g up laie sleep far from being sound and
refreshing. was disturbed with fearful dreams the
VkOle night. At length the cocks began to erow-the
clouds of the eastern sky 10 break asunder and the
morning TO dawn. When it tolerably light start
ed up, resolved ON a stroll the meadows Before
going out however, | went into the parlour, where
fouad every thing in the utmost confusion. Chairs,
tables, walking andlOgs of wood lay all the
floor, and every thing upset or wrong condition.
then proceeded to the outer door, which opened, and
started back ~ horror, perceiving human skull
lying on a sheet at my right hand, just without the
door Recovering from fright gathered it up, and
could restrain my laughter when discovered it
be nothing more than mask, representing deaths
head Ii seems while were all wranglIng the night
before, uncle had stepped OHt of bed-dressed him
seped all the furniture, logs of wood and timber, he
could in the apartment. heap, browning the pyra-
mid with dozen walking sticks, which had
lain time out OF mind on the top Of old cupboard
then gone up stairs and pat the hord mask-b ought
down pistol, and enveoped himself from his feet to
his chin, clean white sheet; after alarming just
the clock struck the awful hour of twelve by striking
three heavy blows against the wall with huge log oil
wood, he contrived tumble down the whole mass OF
furniture once-fred his pistol the moment
and then burst in upon in the manner described
now went out. As | was crossing the yard, dis
covered several drops of blood a stone which
could way account for but by surprising o.
good cousins had received in their retreat, fall
and, little further discovered pair of Shoes A re
eePacle for the filth of the byre, another part of the
yard bore evident marks OF some having had therein
a severe struggle.
Indeed the adventures Of the flying heroes had beer
various and woeful of them, he at whom the
spectre made such sudden bound, as ] afterwards
ascertaned, actually seven miles without stopping
and with his shreks suppOsiug the grim msnster Close
at his heels, almost raised the whole country. now
proceeded EDWARDS the fields, listening to the
warbng lark 'springing blithey up to meet the pur
ping east The air fresh and pure, and, in the
beauties of nature, awhile forgot the of the
preceding evening. With hasty steps roved over the
family recOected scenes, where | had in childhood
spent of my happiest honrs until weary with my
raHlbles returned to breakfast.
G.