Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-08-14
The old Mans Ghost Story.

II was in the winter of Is, and in the midst
Of one Of the severest storms of the season, that
brig, coming from Boston, struck upon the shoals
off this beach. Nothing but a miracle could have
saved the life of single human being on board,
and that miracle, believe, was not interposed in
the behalf Of single one Of either crew or pa,sen.
gers, Several bodies were shortly afterwards found
upon the shore; they were supposed to belong to
the Boston brig. Leaning on one of the bodies
which was apparently better dressed than the 9TH
ers, was large dog, nearly as stiff with ice as his
human companions, but he was not dead. The
bodies were taken to building, and left in the clo
thing in which they were found, while the dog,
with some aid followed me to my house. A collar
on his neck bore the name of A. DUPeISr. The
animal returned with me the next morning, and
recognized Immediately the body upon which he
was leaning when first discovered This led TO the
belief that he was fondng on his former master
belief strengthened by the discovery OF small
medal hanging to the neck of the deceaced, upon
which the name Of A. DUPONT was scratched or
cut with penknife. The medal was half of some
foreign silver coin. ! removed it from the neck,
and aided in giving burial to the dead srangek The
medal hung in my parlor We subsequently
learned that the vessel, when she feft Boston, had
one passenger. Notice OF the wreck, and the name
upon the dogs collar, and the medal, was given in
the papers, think, at that time; but we heard
nothing, as there property to give sanctity
to the dead. People, find, do not inquire so close
y after sick dead relatives, if the sufferers have
not their pains increased by disposable or hereditary
property. Such possession, find, creates strong
sympa,hies.
AS the dog brought no name with him, we gave
him that of his master; and DUPONT came to be an
inmate Of my family, though he never forgot the
place in which his master was buried Thither he
repaired often he came TO the Island, and seem
ed TO linger the spot as if sacred associations
connected him with the grave.
Two or three years after the shipwreck, and du
ring the height Of our bathing season. was request
ed by lady 10 look for trunk, which had probably
been taken TO the other house. at has upon it,"
said she, "the name Of A. DUPONT"
al am afIaid," she added "you will forget the
name."
mot at all, madam" said I, ''by the token that
have dog of the same name."
When returned, the lady wa. so much pleased
with the result of my enand, that sho asked by
what good luck she had the honor of sharing her
name with dog. So told her how the animal
came by the name, and then, think, for the frs,
time, looked into her face. 1t was beautiful mar
ked, indeed, by settled melancholy, from which
smile faded away, like the gleam Of candle light
which is passing over the lawn.
The lady said she would come and see her name-
sake when they rode out. And in few days a
carriage stopped at my door, and the same lady was
handed out by gentleman whose dress indicated
that he was a clergyman.
She inquired for the dog, but learned, from my
family, that he had accompanied me to the Island
As she evinced, or expressed some interest in the
ANIMAL on account of his name, though il is proba-
BILE that she really thought little of the circumstance,
my wife told her that there something else in
the house which bore her name also. Astonished
at the popularity of her name in my family, she de-
piece of coin was taken from its place, and brought
10 her.
It was fearful, they said, TO look on the young
woman when her eye first rested on the silver. My
wife was afraid of convusions. but faintng ensued,
and when she was sufficiently recovered they con-
veyed her back to the Island whittier repaired a.
gain next morning, and in private acquainted her
with the circumstances by which came in possess
sion Of the silver and the dog, inferred, without
being fully informed, that the young lady had left
Scotland after pledge of marriage, and that the
young man was fulfilling his promise TO come to
her in America. The dog belonged to her brother,
and the token bore her name and not his.
| pointed ou, to her the place in which " iRiam
had been buried, and took my leave, promising
when came again to bring the old dog with me.
| learned that the gentleman in attendance was
| an avowed lover.
1t was about this time that one of the servants OF
the family whispered to another his belief that a
ghost had been seen among the graves. Watch
was kept from a distance, and the belief was con.
frmsd by the appearance after midnight of figure
in white, moving slowly around the graves.
Having suspicious that | knew more of the ghos
than most others, determined TO watch the next
night, and ascertain whether was right in my con
lectures Accordingly, about midnight took
station near where we now stand, and shortly after
wards saw approaching white figure, apparent,
female. She advanced slowly and looked eau