The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-10-03

might have sought concealment. The
cry of unspeakable agony was sue
ceeded by a silence, and l confess my
heart throbbed strangely when the
same voice articulated, in the same
tone Of agony.
"Why will you trouble the dead
Who can torment US before the time
l will come to you in my flesh, though
after my skin worms destroy this body,
and YOU shall speak to me face 10
face"
This strange address was followed by
another cry OF despair, which died
away as suddenly as it was raised.
never could tell why it was | was
not more horror-stricken than | really
was by this mysterious, and, all things
considered, awful Interpolation. It
was not until the silence had again re-
turned, and the frosty breeze among
the crisp weeds crept towards me like
the stealthy approach of some unearthly
influence, that felt a superstitious ter
ror gradually inspire me, which hur-
ried me at an accelerated pace from
the place. A few minutes and l heard
the friendly voice of my charioteer
hallooing to me from the summit Of the
hill.
Reassured as l approached him, I
abated my speed.
81 saw you standing on the stile, sir,
by the churchyard,n he said as he drew
near, sand l ask ysur pardon for not
giving you the hint. before, but they
say it is not lucky; and | called to
you loud to come away, but see you
are nothing the worse for it."
why, what is there to be afraid Of
there, nv good fellow 2" Iasked, af-
fecting as much indifference as l was
able.
"Why, sir" said the man, throwing
an uneasy look in the direction, they
do say there's 1Efad spirit haunts it, and
nobody in these parts would 60 near it
after dark for love or money"
Hauntedw repeated, .and how
does the spirit show himself!"
.Oh, lawk, sir, in all sorts of shapes
like an old woman almost
doubled in two with years; sometimes
like little child going along full
foothigh above the grass of the graves;
and sometimes like big black ram,
strutting on his hind legs. and with a
pair OF eyes like live Goals; some have
seen him in the shape Of a msn, with
has arm raised MP Inward the sky, and
his head hanging down as If his neck
was broke. Ican't think of half the
shapes he's took at different times; but
they're bad, the very child has the
face of Satan, they say when he comes
in that shape-God bless US! and no.
body's ever the same that sees him
Once.n
By this time I was seated infIny ysvehi-
Gle, and some six or eight minutes
quick driving wHirled us into the old
fashioned street. and brought the chaise
to full stop before the open door and
well-lighted hall of the Bell Inn. To
me there has always been an air of in
descrbable cheer dcomfort about a
Substantial country hosiery, especially
.6hen one arrives, as did, upon keen
Winters night withsan appetite as
sharp, and something of that sense of
adventure and excitement which, be-
fore the day Of down trains and tick
cts, always in . greater or less degree
gave zest tottavelling. Greeted with
that warmesfsof welcomes for which
inns, alas! are celebrated, l had soon
satisfied the opportunities Of q keen
appetite; and having for some hours
tdken zine ease in comfortable par
lor and befogea comfortable firey ! be-
gan to feel 5leepy and betook myself
to myno less comfortable bed-chamber.
Its not = be supposed that the I'd
vents of the churchyard had been
oblit6ned from my recollection by
the suppressed hustle and good cheer
of the ~ Bel" !" on The contrary, it had
occupied me almost necessarily during
my solitary ruminations; and a. night
advanced, and tho stiffness Of repose
and desertion stole ovee the old man
sion, the sensations with which the
train of remembrance and speculation
was accompanied became anything but
pleasant. E %
felt, I confess, fidgetysand quess-
I searched the corners and recesses Of
the oddly shaped and roomy old apart
meug9-A tuIuSo lu0 AoSo " su0 AOOA'
ing glass to the WALL poked the fire
into roaring blaze- looked behind
the window ourtain with vague anxi-
ety, TO assure myself that nothing could
be lurking there. The shutter was q
little open, ard the yivid tower Of the
little church and the tufted tops of the
trees that sunwnded it were visible
over tho slobb of the intervening hill.
Hastily shut but the unwelcome object
and in ! mod of mid4 l mual confess,
favorable enough for any neak my
nerves miahf please 70 play me, ! hur-
riSIt thrOugh ny dispositions for the
nilht, hnmunss gay air al the tile'
= reasnre nyseii, and plunged inso
bsd, r GIihing the candle, and
ALI SEknswledge the weakness
.s.il ny : under he e'.a-
= / i.y .wate for sone tims, :. mon
iii dunnder sdeh ciicuwstances, but
q ls6eth fatigue overcsne me and
fell into . psofound aleep. From TIM
rsposs vaA however, aronsed in the
mannar I an about tQrdescEl3ee.