Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-03-29

| versatlon naturally turned upon the recent
wonderful event. and the effect it had produc-
ID upon each one present all expressed their
iiferent views, Dave Lawson asked the Ma
! jor hat he thought of the matter.
Why, SIR" answered the Major, " ii
not see them, but i'll had A., | shoudn'tl have
'ared continental d--n /; it takes something
worse than falling Of stars to scare Major
Rhodes"
Well, know one thing" rejoined Dave,
60 if it didn't scare you 1t did me. never was
a. badly scared but once before, and that was
when saw the ghost at Bently's grave
yard"
D--n the ghost and Bently's grave
yard" quickly answered Major Rhodes " II
you've told that tale once, Dave Lawson, you
have hundred times, and ifyou'll agree new
cr TO tell it again, I'll treat the whole crowd
Why, MAJOR, maybe you have seen one
there YOURSELF" added Dave, " you appear to
be SO touchy bout it,"
No, sir, never have" was the reply,
scare Major Rhodes" saying which, that wor-
thy united his horse Pomp' and left for home.
To full understanding Of the above con-
vcrsation it is necessary TO state that it had
ever been the boas; of Major Rhodes that he
was perfectly inaccessible to fear from any
thing upernatural-avering that, although he
had never seen ghost, he had just as leave
see one as to see dead COW, and would have
about as much fear for the one as the other
Dave Lawson having always his own opin-
ion of the Majors courage on this point, had
long had in contemplation to put it to the test;
and for this purpose, had made the story about
seeing the ghost at Benly's grave yard, for
the purpose OF getting the Ma or ripe for his
project. The grave yard above spoken of
was as lonely spot as ever the eye of man
rested upon +; lying Immediately contiguous to
the road with a small knot of woods interven-
ing, with its old diapidated palirgs tinged
with black, and the few white slabs of marble,
it was well calculated at all times to impress
the passer by with thoughts of sadness.
Being directly upon the road leading from
Major Rhodes house to town. and the Maj
or frequently being detained in town waiting
for the mail, thereby being compelled to pass
the spot at night, there were not wanting
opportunities for Dave Lawson to put his
purposes into execution.
Some time having elapsed and Major
Rhodes happening in town, it struck Dave
that, as it was drizzling, rainy evening, with
every appearance of a bad night the time he
arrived when to put his long cherished plan
IN effect, provided he could ascertain that
Rhodes was going home.
:" Bad evening, Major" says Dave.
Yes" answered Rhodes, 80 shouldn't
be surprised if we had bad night"
! Not going out of town tonight ;" con-
tinued Lawson.
Yes" responded the Major, q am GO
ing home, don't mind the rain when I'm on
Pomp.'
Being satisfied on this head, Dave Lawson
sought out his tried croney Rubo Davis, and
imparting his plan, to which Rube joyfully
acced,d, they soon procured the parapherna-
liza necessary to the success Of their ENTERPRISE
and by hard riding reached the grave yard by
dark.
| Tying their horses out OF reach of discov-
cry, and dressing themselves, each in whole
sheet, with long, conica parer cap on their
heads, Dave stationed himself in the skirt oil
the woods before spoken Of as intervening be-
tween the grave yard and the wood, while
Rube Davis took a position some hundred
yards lower down the road, for the purpose
of cutting off retrea, in the event retreat
was attempted Being thus stationed, they
in silence awaited the coming of their victim.
BY this time night had set in black as pitch,
the rain was falling in constant steady
stream, while the muttering of the distant
thunder, the ftful gusts Of wind, and the
quick flashes of lightning, gave unmistakable
indications Of coming storm.
Some hours had elapsed, and our ghosts
| NtIc W my "SiO ih M IT.
when the sound of a horses feet coming ia
| full gallop, gave assurance that "thc game was
Il up" Nearer, and with quickenod speed as
he approached the lonely spot, came the horse.
man, when, having arrived Immediately op-
posite the grave yard, out stepped Dave Law
son, dressed in the habiliments of the grave,-
and exclaimed, as he stepped into the road,
with voice OF sopulchral awfulness
I" Rhodes A.; I ,caW you -
co Wo, Pomp," exclaimed the terrified Ma
jor " wo, Pomp oh, Lord, have mercy -
wo, Pomp, ! say :"
When Dave, making step towards him.
he wheeled Pomp and had just got him
traightened for all he had in him, when out
stepped Rube, and in voice Of deep solemni-
ty exclaimed
" Rhodes, must have you"
Wo, Pomp now | lay me! Oar Faith
er who art !-wo Pomp! My heavenly faith
cr !" screamed the agonized victim, when see
ing Rube advance towards him, he reined
l.