The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1841-01-28
From the Pittsburg Visiter.
A singular Ghost Story.


ing, not many years ago, in the stage
coach, which contained just as many pas
sengers as made us all comfortable. We
were approaching the foot of a mountain,
and as it was long after night, or perhaps
something nearer morning, each one had
adjusted himself as we'll as he might, for
nap, which, those who travel in stages
know how. or soon learn, TO enjoy. How
long this had continued, know not, but
all at once we wakened up, we knew
not where, but we knew we were tumb-
ling one over another-the driver had lost
his track in the darkness, and the stage
had upset. We soon gathered up, and
each man found his own limbs, of which
he is not always certain in the Stage, and
al! sound and unhurt. The coach was
righted-the track recovered--all gather
| ed in, and the driver proceeded on more
slowly to be more safely. We had pass
ed over one mountain, and were approach.
ing another of greater height, over which
the road wound for many miles. We
were congratulating ourselves upon our
escape and detailing particulars of each
ones adventures, when the coach passing
more rapidly slight declivity, horse
man was seen passing rapidly by the dim
light of one of the windows. 1t was
the window at which | sat--several be-
sides myself saw him. mechanically
popped my head out of the window. but
could see nothing. The slight glim-
mering of starlight had began to break
through the clouds. 4fhe one at the op-
. posite window looked also, but the phan-
tom like horseman could no longer be
seen. 1t was voted to be a ghos,-lhe
ghost of some horseman murdered in
these mountainous regions. Ghost stor.
les were banded about, and the exist
ence of these supernatural appearances
t were advocated and denounced. At las
: one Of the passengers on the back seat
who had hitherto preserved rigid 81
: lence on the subject, coughed slightly
+ and husklly. and said he would relate
| if the company were willing, his expe
t rience on the subject-he would give nc
n opinion either way, but would simply
relate what he knew, and state neithe
more nor less than that which his owl
ewes had Witnessed Those on the mid
die seats turned half round, and all be
tokened at once desire to hear him
AS he spoke his voice and manner evi
IS denced much earnestness, and convic
: ton of the truth of what he was abou
r to relate.
was travelling, said he, and had t
put up at lone house on the road, 0
;. not the most promising in appearance, il
e a remote part OF New England. | foun
), it occupied by more travellers than ha
e expected to meet in place so removed
" ~ and the landlord at first refused to re
+ ceive me, as he said his house was full
I plead the darkness of the night, tn
distance to another house, and my ow
fatigue, when, after studying, as if t
make all unreasonable proposal, he said
lie there is one room, if you will sleep i
7, it. that you can be welcome TO, but it
- haunted The idea of night march
f on wild road, haunted me with NOR
v. terrors than any tales Of ghosts, and
considered myself settled for the nigh
Id We had good supper, anu candle
hand, the landlord showed me TO m
: destined room for the night. To m
questions, as to the kind Of goblin b
or or which might expect to be disturbed, i
= gave me no answer but said, :" | woul
find out before morning" Without col
di,ioning for it, the landlord had furnisl
w ed me with whole candle, whichaN
on left burning on small mantel-pie
he undressed and went to bed; but thin
ht ing ii possible might be attacked !
Cd something more substantial than u
ne earthly spirits, | took with me into bs
ID large, but very sharp dirk knife. N
nd only weapon. After lying, ! think, b
II short time, female figure, with loo
RS white robe around her, entered the roor
y and walked directly up to the candle
will not say what, at this moment, we
my feelings--bu. /! recollect well, that