Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-07-07

~
look, said:
Young man, speak not so lightly ofthings
above your comprehrnsion.'
Do you mean to imply that there are
such things as ghosts''
Perhaps there are, if you had courage to
look at them
The young man soon flushed up with an
ger. But presently, resuming his seat he
said calmly
That taunt should cost you dear, were it
not such foolish one
"A foolish one = exclaimed the merchant,
throwing on the table heavy leather
purse.
There are fifty guineas. am content
to lose them if before the hour is ended, |
do not succeed in showing you, who are SO
obstinately prejudiced, the form of one Of
your deceased friends, and ifafter you have
recognized him you allow him to kiss your
lips.
We all looked at each other, but my young
neighbor still in the same mocking manner,
replied:
You will do that will you?'
yes said the other Il will stake these
fifty guineas, on condition that you pay
similar sum if you lose.
After short time the young man said,
gaily:
Fifty guineas my worthy sorcerer, are
more than poor college sizer ever possess
ed, but here are five, which, if you are sat
isfed, shall be most willing to wager
The other took up his purse, saying in a
contemptuous manner:
Young gentleman, you wish to draw
back!
Il draw back 7 exclaimed the student,
We'll, ii had the fifty guineas, you'd see
whether wish to draw back.
'Herc,-said I-are four guineas, which
| will stake on your wager.
No sooner had | made the proposition,
than the rest of the company, attracted by
the singularity of the affair, came forward
to lay down their money; and in minute
or two the fifty guineas were subscribed -
The merchant appeared so sure Of winning,
tina! he placed all the stakes in the students
hands and prepared for his experiment.
We selected for the purpose small sum.
mer house in the garden, perfectly isolated
and having no means Of exit but window
and door which we carefully fastened, al
ter placing the young man within.
We put writing materials on small ta-
BILE in the summer house, and took away
the candles. We remained outside with
the pedlar among us. In a low solemn
voice he began to chant the following
| lines:
what riseth slow from the ocean caves
On the stormy surf?
The phantom pale sets his blackened foot
On the fresh green turf
Then raising his voice solemnlv, he said
You asked to see your friend, Francis
Vllliers who was drowned, three years ago.
on the coast of South America-what dc
you see? /?
Il see,' repled the student "a white light
arising near the window but i! has no form;
1t is like an uncertain cloud
We, the spectators, remained profoundly
silent.
Are you afraid ? asked the merchant,in
loud voice.
i am not, replied the student firmly.
After moments silence, the pedlar stam-
ped three times on the ground and sang:
sAnd the phantom white whose clay-col face
Was once so fair,
| Dries with his shroud his clinging vest
And his sea tossed hair
Once more the solemn question:
You, who would see revealed the mys.
tcries of the tomb, what do you see now:
The student answered in a calm voice,
bnt like that of man describing things as
they pass before him.
i see the cloud taking :he form ofa phan-
tom its head is covered with long veil
it stands still
Are YOU afraiJ?'
Il am not
We looked at each other IN horror strick.
en- silence, while the merchant, raising his
arms above his head, chanted in sepulch-
raj voice
'And the phantom said as he rose from the wave.
He shall know me in sooth
will 90 to my friend, gay, smiling and fond,
As in our first youth!
what do you sec? said he.
Il see the phantom advance; he lifts his
vail--'tis Francis Villiers he approaches
the tabe-he writes IT'S his signature !
Are you afraid ?
A fearful moment of silence ensued; then
the student replied, but in an altered
voice.
i am not
With strange and frantic gestures the
merchant then sang
t,J >bo c,iJ 10 tho r,oclinnr
come from the south;
Put thy hand on my hand thy heart on my heart
Thy mouth to my mouth =
what do you see?
He comes-he approaches-he pursues
me-he is stretching out his arms-he will
have me! Help help! save me!
Are you afraid now = asked the mer-
chant in a mocking voice.
A piercing cry, and then stifed groan,
were the only answer of the terrible ques-
ton.
Help that rash YOUTH said the merchant
bitterly. Il have, think, won the wager !;
but it is sufficient :or me to have given him
lesson. Let HIM keep his money for the
future.
He walked rapidly away. We opened
the door of the summer house, and found
the student in convulsions. A paper sign
ed with the name of Francis Villies, was
found on the table.
As soon as the students senses were re-
stored, he asked vehemently where was the
vile sorcerer who had subjected him to such
horrid ordeal--he would kill him He
sought him throughout the inn in vain j;
then with the speed Off madman, he DASH
ed across tho fold in nursu;t of .him-and