Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-08-04
THE GHOST RAISER.

sent century as baGmau, GOtH tell stories.
Among them, he tells his single Ghost
Story so often that am heartily tired of
it, In self defence, therefore, publish
the tale in order that when next the good,
kind old gentleman offers to bore us with
it, everybody may say they know it, l
remember every word of it:
One fine autumn evening, about forty
years ago, was travelling on horseback
from Shrewsbury to Chester. l felt tel
cradle tired and was beginning to look
out for some snug way -sitle-in, where
might pass the night, when q sudden and
violent thunderstorm came on, My horse
terrified by the lightning, fairly took the
bride between his teeth and started off
with me at full gallop, through lanes and
cross roads, until at length managed to
pull him up just near the door of neat
looking country inn.
"WelI," thought ], "there was wit
in your madness. old boy. since it brought
MS to this comfortable refuge" And
Slighting gave him in charge of the stout
farmers boy who acted as hostlcr, The
inn-kitchen, which was also the guest
room, Was large, clean, neat and comfor
table, very like the pleasant hostelry dc.
scrbcd by lzaak Walton. There were
several travellers already in the room
probably, like myself, driven there for
shelter-and they were all warming them
selves by the blazing fire, while waiting
for supper, l joined the party. Pre-
Sen;ly, being summoned BY the hostess,
we all sat down-twclve in number-to
smoking repast of bacon and eggs, corn
cd beef aud carrots, and stcwcd hare.
The conversation naturally turned on
the mishaps occasioncd by the storm, of
which every one seemed TO have his full
shHre. One had been thrown off his horse,
another, driving in gig, had been upset
into q muddy dyke; and all had got a
thorough wetting, and agreed unanimous
Is that it was dreadful wcather-a rcgu-
lar witches Sabbath
Witches and ghosts always prefer for
their Sabbath fine moonlight night to
such weather rs this -
These words were uttered in q solemn
tone, and with strange emphasis, by one
of tho company. He was q tall, dark,
looking man, and had set him down in
my own mind as travelling merchant or
pedlar. Ny next neighbor was u gay,
well looking, fashionably dressed young
blou' "'O DNINNIUS ulNp IouS''N'i S''A
You must know the manners and Gus
toms of ghosts very well. to be able to
tell that they dislike getting wet or mud
dy."
The first speaker, giving him dark,
fierce look said
"Young man speak not so lightly ot
things above your comprehension -
'Do you mean to imply that there are
such things as ghosts %
perhaps there are, if you had the
courage to look at them"
The young man stood up flushed with
anger. But, presently resuming his seat,
he said calmly
"That taunt should cost you dear, If il
were not such foolish one"
"a foolish one !" exclaimed the mcr
chant, throwing on the table heav!
lcathern purse. "Therc arc fifty guin
cas- am content to lose them, if, before
the hour is ended, l do not succeed il
showing you, who are so obstinalely pre-
judiced, the form Of any one of your de-
ceased friends; and if. after you have
recognised him, you allow him to kis
your lips"
We all looked at each other, but my
HclShOOl1 sun Ill Iue Sulnc luOCAluS ANah
ner replied:
"You will do that will you 2"
eyes," said the other, 81 will stak,
these fifty guineas, on condition that 20,
will pay similar sum if you lose"
After short silence. the young mar
said gaily:
Fifty guineas, my worthy sorcerer
are more than poor college siSOr eve
possessed; but here are five, which, i
you are satisfied, shall be most willing
10 wager"
The other took up his purse. saying, il
eontemptuous tone:
Young gentleman you wish to draw
back 2"
II draw back p' exclaimed the stu
dent. "Well if had the fifty guinea.
you should see whether wish to drs'
back %
"Herc, said /, "ure four guinea'
which l will stake on your wager"
No sooner had made this propositio
than the rest of the company. attracte
by the singularity of the affair, came fol
ward to lay down their money and i
minute or two, the fifty guineas wer
subscribed. The merchant appeared S
sure OF winning, that he placed all tn
stakes in the Students hands, and prepa
red for his experiment. We selected fu
the purpose; small summer-house in tn
garden, perfectly isolated, and having n
means of exit bat window and doc,