The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-03-19

Domestic News and Correspondence Dan
Vile and East Tennessee Railroad; Legisla-
tive Proceedings; Editorials; Poetry; Items,
&c. Price cents per copy-$l per annum in
advance.
A RACE NOT BEFORE REPORTED.
Once upon time, as the traditions generally
begin-but twas not very long time ago
there lived ferryman at one of the fer
ries upon the Siaunton river. This ferryman
was good, weak-minded, tall and muscular
man, but he was not distinguished for cour-
age. He was remarkable for his superstitious
belief in ghosts and in spirits, while he was
very fond Of ardent spirits. But "inspir,og,
bold John Barleycorn" could never dispel the
fears of ghosts which nightly haunted the
mind of our feryman. He treasured wildly in
his recollection all the strange events, the mur-
ders, suicides, violent deaths of that region,
which had happened in his day, and number
which were the traditions of days before his
time. So that there was scarcely a turn in a
neigh5orhood road, or a neighboring farm,
that was, in the belief of the ferryman, without
its spirits revisiting the "glimpses of the
moon" in their disquietuJe at the unsatisfac-
tory examinations Of their earthly existence
10th was this ferrryman to turn out from his
bed to obey the loud call of the traveller on the
opposite side of the river, who, at dead of night.
wanted TO be put over. On cloudy night it
was more than he dare do to go out amongst
the spirits of the drowned that nightly lowered
about the stream. On such q night the belated
traveller had to give over the prosecution of
his journey, and turn back to hunt for a
place TO rest; for our ferryman made it point
never 10 hear him.
In the neighborhoOd there lived O planter
a fine portly gentleman, somewhat beyond the
middle age of life-a jovial old gentIeman-a
sample Of Virginia planters of the time-sur-
rounded by plenty-fond of u good joke-at
peace with "all the world and the rest of man
kind'-and if he seldom said his prayers, his
anlmosities were neither many nor bitter, and
no man ever turned away from his door hum
cry and fatgued. Our planter was fond of
Joke, as we have said-nay, he was a practical
Joker, and would take great pains to plan aud
carry out his concets in this way. :.
The planter had a sort of kind regard for the
lerrynan, whose singularities very much
amused him, and the ferryman never went re-
iuetantly to the planters house, for, besides the
general Kind treatment he met. he was always
sure to find some very good brandy there.
. BY the side Of the pathway leading
from the ferry to the planters house, there was
grave yard! The ferryman had never been
known to pass this after dark.
onc afternoon the fsrryman called to see the
planter, and while there, the time passed most
agreeably-the ferryman told some of his mos
startling ghost stories. and the planter, in re-
turn, related some of his anecdotes, which the
ieTyman relished the better, as he took them
along with the brandy. As the sun began to
decline in the West, the ferryman became nm.
easy and wanted TO be off to reach home be.
lore dark. His host, protesting to be greatly
pleased with his agreeable company, begged
MAJ TO stay to supper, and promised TO send a
negro man with him to keep him company
nome. good supper, with this promise of
a" escort, was more than the ferryman could
resist, SO he staid.
II was near on 10 twelve when the ferryman
AND his companion left the hospltable mansion
oil the planter. Side by side walked the two
and as they neared the graveyard, the ferry
man placed his sable escor; between him and
mat dreaded habitation of the dead. He re-
solved not to look that way; but involun,arilv
ms eyes stole glance-when, horrible to re-
late he beheld a slow-moyiug white 6pu,s
rising from amidst the graves! For an in.
stani he was fixed with terror; but the 6y,,s
made step forward--his muscles immsd;a,s,,,
yielded to the impulse of his aafighted brain
aud he bounded off in the direction of his home
with oil his might. lie had not gone far befo,s
he heard rapidly falling fee, shortening tho
distance between him and them. He mended
his pace, and was afraid for time 10 Look he.
hind TO see whether it was his escort or the
ghost at last he snatched glimpse over his
shouiaer aud beheld the white figure in close
pursuit. And now the race grew in interest.
ne ierryman strained every snew-he neither
turned to the right nor to the left, but leaped
owe. s'umps and stones. and dashed through
mud holes. The white figure followed in the
s"H'o style. II the steps of the ferryman
hagged, the gaining sounds of swallowing
'eet lent him fresh vigor, while the increasing
speed oil the ferryman seemed to impart addi-
uonai facility to the nimble locomotion Of his
mysterious pursuer. Through
tue ia.i, dense forest Of the river hills ran the
narrow path to the ferry. Animals, terrestrial
and amphibious, usual to such locality. filled
The air with nocturnal noises, which paused a,
different points 10 the route as the swift moving
figures fed by. The great horned-owl booted
The sereech owl screeched-the frogs from their
Dogs and streams among the ravines, lifted up
the'f voices in deafening and dismal chorus
and the hickering lights Of the freely lamp
s'iiamered among the trees. Appalling to
moflsis, delightful 10 demons, were the sound.
.na' rang and reyerberated through the forest.
ne quiet solo Of the katy-did was the onl,
'f'endiy voice that saiuted the air. But more