Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-06-10
The Ghost-Raise

My Uncle Bsagley, who commenced his con-
mercial career very early in the present century
as bagman, wiH tell stories. Among them,
he tells bis Single Ghost story so often, that
am beattily tired ;ofit. Ip self.defence, thape
,ss- publish ts taiA Ia aassG;1 y s---.
the xooa, nlrI,, yra gentlemen Offers to bore US
with ii, everybody may say they know it. re-
member every word Of it.
One fine autumn evening, about forty years
ago, was travelling on horseback from Shrews-
bury to Chester. felt tolerably tired and was
beginning to look out for some snug way-side
inn, where might pass the night, when sud-
den and violent thunderstorm came on. My
horse, terrified by the lightning, fairly took the
bride between his teeth, and started of with
me at full gaIlop through lanes and cross
roads, until at length managed to pull him up
Just near the door Of a neat-looking country inn.
"Well," thought l, there was wit in your
madness, old boy. since it brought us to this
comfortable refuge" And alghting, l gave
him in charge to the stout farmers boy who act
ed as oster. The inn kitchen, which was also
the guest room, was large, clean, neat, and CON-
Portable, very like the pleasant hostlerly descri-
bed by Tzaak Walton. There were several
travellers already in the room-probably, like
myself, driven there for shelter-and they were
all warming themselves by the blazing fire while
waiting for supper. joined the party. Pres
emily, being summoned by the hostess, we all
sat down, twelve in number, to smoking re-
past Of bacon and eggs, corned beef and carrots,
and stewed hare.
The conversation naturally turned on the mis-
haps Occasioned by the storm, of which every one
seemed to have had his full share. One had
been thrown off his horse another, driving in a
gig, had been upset into muddy dyke all had
got thorough wetting, and agreed unanimously
that it was dreadful weather. regular witches
sabbath! .f,
switches and ghosts prefer for their sabbath,
a Rps moonlight to such weather as this J" a
These werds were uttered Ii AoietNu torsy$
ana with strange emphasis, Ay ane of tho CON
pany. He waH tall darE-looking man, and
had set him down in my own mind as travel
ling merchant or pedlar. My next neighbor
was gay, wellooking, fashlonably dressed
young man, who, bursting into peal of laugh
ter, he said;
"You must know the manners and customs OF
ghosts very well, to be able to tell that they dis
like getting wet or muddy"
The first speaker giving him dark herce
look, said:
"Young man, speak not SO lightly OF things
above your comprehension.
"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 stood up, flushed with an
ger. But presently resuming his seat, he said
calmly:
"That taunt should cost you dear, if it we're
not such foolish one"
"a foolish one !" exclaimed the merchant
throwing on the table heavy leathern purse
There are fifty guineas. am content to lose
fthem, if, before the hour is ended, do not sue
Tceed in ghowing you, WHO are SO obstlnsteiy
prejudiced, the form Of any one of your deceased
friends; and if, after you have recognized him.
you allow him to kiss your lips."
We all looked at each other, but my young
neighbour, still in the same mocking manner re-
piled:
"You will do that, will you ?"
eyes," said the other--"I will stake these
fNy guineas, on condition that you will pay
similar sum, if you lOse."
After a short silence the yOung 1Rea said,
gaiy: 4
"Fifty guipsas, my worthy sorcerer, are
more than poor college sizar ever possessed
but here are 6ve, which, If you are satisfied, |
shall be most willing to wager"
The other took up his pnrse, saying, in con-
temptuous tones
"Young gentleman, you wish TO draw back''
81 draw back" exclaimed the student
" Well, if had the fifty guineas, YOU would
see whether wish to draw back"
"Here," said are four guineas, which
will stake on your wager"
No sooner had made this proposition than
the rest OF the company, attracted by the slngu'
larity of the affair, came forward to lay down
their money and in minute or two the hfty
guineus we're subscribed. The merchant ap-
pearcd so sure of winning, that he placed all the
stakes in the students hands, and prepared foI
bis experiment. We selected for The purpose a
small summer-house in the garden, perfectly lso'
lated, and having no means of exit but WIN
dow and a door, which we carefully fastened, at
ter placing the young man within. We pu
wiring materials on small table in the sum
lner:hOuse, and took away the candles. We re-
mained outside, with The pedar amongst u.s.
In low solemn voice, he began to chant the
following lines
What rseth slowly lom the ocean caves
And the stormy surfi
The phantom pale sets his blackened foot,
:, On the fresh green tuTf.1
Then raising his voice sOlemnly, he said:
You asked to see your friend, Francis Will
erS, who was drowned, three years ago, off thu
coast of South America--what do you see ?"
! see," replied The STUDENT "a white ligh
arising near the window but it has no form i
is like an uncertain cloud"