Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1846-04-22
FOR THE RnYEETfskK ::
SoMNAM BULlSaI-A GHOST SIoR RY..

.Msssrs. Editors: 8
The following story will serve as an
illustration Of "a most singular aud extfaor-..
binary phenomenon that is SOMETIMES met
with in individuals, and will, at The. same
lim show how easyir is for persons IL
be imposed upon by excessive cred1lity,
aud an undue love for the marvellous;
ihere are many persons, even at the
present day, who are inclined 10 believe
that The dlseInbodied spirits oil dead per.
sons are permitted 10 appear al certain
Times in sensible shapes, and under cer-
tain circumstances. tU haunt those who
have been instrumental in Terminating
their earthly existence. And the most Of :
us listen 10 the most exaggerated tales.
based ON tins superslllious belief, with a !.
degree OF interest which argues consid.
cradle credulity, Notwithstanding the con-
viclIons OF our minds as TO the impos-
slblllty OF such phenomena. Three. .fourtEis
ot the christian world are in the daily
habit OF invoking the aid and protection
ot saints that have been dead for,mapy.
centuries, which impies a belief either
That the d'senbodied spirits of. those de-ii,
ceased salAts are capable Of assuming sem
slble shapes at pleasure. aud by this means !.
making themselves visible to the snppIi-,'
cants, or that they are capable OF afford
ing them The desired assistance without
assuming any particular form; or else tho
inrocalious themselves are entirely nue. a.
tory and uumeanins. And there can be-
little doubt thai the habit of invoking :tlieS
saints has d6ie more To keep alive super
stitiuus notions 10 the christian world than
any other cause. Children, aud Young: !:
persons especially, listen with grsediness !
~ stories OF ghosts, and haunted houses
and their minds are more or less i'm pressed
with belief IN the existence Of such apa.s
ritious. Aud l have heard even grown
persons say that they cannot avoid think
Ing OF the stories they had heard, when. !:
young, from snperslillous old women, will
some horror. if they happened to pass by
asrave yard after uisht without company
Aud who has not lell bis hair rise on end
at line consciousness of being alone in The {
dark on The very spot where ghosts are
said to have been seen! This is the effect
Of Imagination, aud ! believe there are !,
few persous who have not felt emotions Of
horror under such circumstances, in con-,
sequence, perhaps, of impressions made
upon their minds while young, But; to
our Story: -.,2,E.,.,-s..
ln The vicinity OF Baltimore, a short
lime after the Revolution, there lived q,
respectable aud wealthy family by the
name of Nj, 10 large aud comfortable,
though somewhat ahtiquated building,
which had been the scene of a horrible.
and bloody murder sometime previous to
its being owned Dy:lhis family; and very; !.
soon aIler ii came into The posssssion;of.
the family of Ma patticllar room of,
the house. gained The reputation Of being
haunted. This room had Ueen fitted up. as,
a sleeping apartment; aud though IL wasr
not used by any Of The family for this pur-
pose, aud notwithstanding the room vas.
carefully locked every hisht, tile bed bore
the traces every. morning Of having been
slept on the pEsssdf,,s Yishi, and Mas sas
regularly made up every day as tie offer,
beds in the house. No QUE could sieH,s
however, who slept on it. Il happened J
on one OCCASION that party Of friends
came from distance ON visit TO this
family; and around cheerful fire on a
winters evening, The party were interest,
inS themselves, as is common in such
circles, with different kinds OF stories, and
at leuglh the haunted room, naturally
enough, became the subject OF conversa-
ion, aud from that, one story after anolh-,
er was detailed about ghosts aud goblins,
&C., ill he'd lime, when 2 controversy
aruse as 10 who should sleep iu The haunt
ed room. Al length, however, a young
man who was somewhat more heroic than
The rest OF tie party, consented 10 risk
ulghl'S rest IN that room, aud was accord,
Ingly conducted lu his quarters Tor the
night. He was left aioue; aud the idea
ut being all alone 10 reom OF such dubi-
GUS Character, was anything but agreeable.
The wind blew violently without; the old
window blinds creaked upou their hinges,
While The rats and mice acted well their
part in The ceiling above, and the crckets
chirped mournlully on the hearth below.
The old family clock struck IL, the hour
at winch ghosts are said 10 visit The earth,
in visible lorms, 10 do their dcvOirs 10 those
over whose destiny they are supposed to-,
watch. But this hour passed away and
nothing occurred.l 10 disturb The equaumily
OF our neros mind, aud he began 10 aatler
himself that he would not De troubled
with his ghostly companion that night.
His imagination, however, was excited,
and he ieit lilile INCLINATION 10 sleep. He
heard The clock strike B., aud he had
scarcely settled himself on his pillow for
tho !ast Time, preparatory to rest, when.
he heard ke.t turn in a lock; aud door
" hlch led lruin his 10 an adjoining room
opened and fearful apparlion appeared
TO his aslunished vision. He fancled be.
saw siaul.llke figure, clothed in raiment
OF snowy Mnlleness. aud bis terror was
no, in any wise diminished When he per-.