Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1840-12-15
THE RARBER,S GHOST.

A gentleman travelling some years
since in the upper part OF this State,
called at a tavern and requested enter
tqintient for the night The landlord in
formed him that it was out of his power
to accommodate him, as his house was
already full. He persisted in stopping,
as he as we'll as horse we're almost ex-
hausted with travelling. After much So
licitation the landlord consented to his
stopping, provided he would sleep in a
certain room that had not been occupied
for long time, in consequence OF a De-
lief that il was haunted by the ghost Of
barber, who was reported to have OGeh
murdered in that room some years oe-
fore. "Very WE'LL" says the man, I'm
not afraid Of ghosts" After having re-
freshed himself he inquired Oflhe la nd
lord how and in what manner the room
in which he was to lodge was haunted2
The landlord replied, that shortly after
they retired to rest an unknown voice
was heard in trembling and prOtracted
accent saying, "Do you want 10 be
sha-a.yed.'' "Well," replied the man, "if
be comes he may shave me-"
He iben requested to be shown 10 the
apartment; in going TO which he was con-
Quoted through large room where were
seated great number of persons at a
gambling table. Feeling a curiosity
which almost every one possesses after
having heard ghost stories, he carefully
searched every corner of his room but
could discover nothing but the usual fur
niture of the apartment. He then laid
down, but did not close his eyes TO sleep
Immediately, and in few minutes he
Imagined he heard voice saying, "Do
yob W.G-nt TO be sha.d.Ued?" He arose
from his bed and searched every part of
the room, but could discover nothing.
He again went TO bed, but no sooner had
he begun TO compose himself to sleep
than the question was again repeated -
He again arose and went to the window,
the sound appearing to proceed from that
quarter, and stood awhile sient--after a
few moments of anxious suspense, he
again heard the sound distinctly, and con-
Vnced that it was from without, he open.
ed the window, when the question was
repeated full in his ear, which startled
him MIA little. Upon minute oYamin
atioh,V however, he observed that the
limb Of large oak tree, which stood un
der his window, projected so near tht
house that every breath Of wind, to live
ly Imagination, made noise resembln!
the Interrogation, "Do you want to b.
sha-a-ved2"
Having satisfied himself that his ghos
was nothing more nor less than the liml
of tree coming in contact with th'
house, he again went TO bed and attempt
ad 10 get asleep; but he was now inter
rupied BY peals Of laughter and an occa
sional volley of oatbs land curses from
the room where the gamblers were as
sembled. Thinking that he could turl
the late discovery to his own advantage
he took sheet from the bed and wrapped
it round him, and taking the wash.basir
IN his hand and throwing towel over his
arm, proceeded to the room Of the gam
blers, and suddenly opening the door
stalked in, exclaiming in tremulou'
voice, "Do you want to be sha-a-vedP
Terrified at the sudden appearance of thc
ghost, the gamblers were thrown into tht
greatest confusion in attemptingto esclpt
it; some jumping through the window
nd others tumbIng head over heels
down stairs, Our ghost, taking advan
tsge ofa clear room, deliberately swept
large amount Of money from the table IN
to the basin, and retired unseen to hi
own room.
The next morning he found the hous,
in the utmost confusion. He was imme
diately asked il he rested we'll: TO whicI
he replied in the affirmative. Well. NJ
WONDER" said the landlord, "for tn,
ghost, instead of going 10 his own room
made mistake and came to ours, fright
ened US out OF the room, and took ava,
every dollar of our money" The guest
without being the least suspected, quiel
ly ale his breakfast and departed man,
hundred dollars richer by the adventure