The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1852-10-20
RAVENNA WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20. 1852.

beds by the alarm; but on'no occasi IN had any
traces Of the cause of terror been found. though
the house, on such occasi ms, had been di igen
y and thoroughly searched. The annoying
vi,it was described as being by no meens uni
form. Sometimes il would mol take place for
long time. so that they would begin 10 hope that
there would, be no more of il; but. would, when
least expected occur again. Few people o.
late years, however, had ven,ured to sleep in
that room. and never since The aforementioned
clergyman was 80 terribly alarmed about two
years ago, had it once been occupied.
"Then," said John Basford, lit is probable
that the annoyance is done forever. Ii The trou,
besome visit,nt, was still occasionally present,
it would no doubt. take care TO maifest itself in
some mode OF place. :. II was necessary to lesl
matters TO see whether this particular room was
still subject In so tsrange phenomenon.
This seemed to have no effect on the farmer
and his wife. The old man urged his suit all
the more earnestly, and after further show ol
extreme reluctance or the part of his entertain
ers, finally prevailed
The consent being once given, the farmers
wife retired to make the necessary arrange.
merts. Our friend heard suadry goings t, and
fro; but at length it was announced 10 him thai
all was ready; the farmer and his wife bo'h re
peated that they would be much bet er pleased if
Mr.. Basford would be pleased TO sleep in some
other room. The old man, however. remained
firm TO his purpose; he was shown 10 lis cham
ber and the mail who led the way stood at some
distance from the denoted door, and pointing 10
it, bade him good night, and hurried away.
Mr.. Basford found himself alone in the haun-
led room, he looked round nj d discovered moth
ing that should make il differ from any other
good and comfortable chamber, or that should
pensi y TO disturb any Innocent mortal that noe
turnaled in il Whetter he fe,t any nervous
terrors, we know not; as he was come 10 see
all that would or could occur there, he kept him
self most Wig ilar.t'v awake. He lay down on u
very good feather bed, ex ilguisned his light and
W; tied in patience. Time and tide, as they will
wait for no man. went on. All sounds of life
ceased in The house; nothing could be heard bu,
lhs rusling wind without, and the burk Of the
yard dog, occasi ,nally amid the laughing blast.
Midnight came, and fonnd John Ba,ford wide
awake and watchfully expec,anr. No-hing
stirred, but he lay still on the watch. At length
was it so? Did he hear ruslling movement,
as it were near Lis door or was it his excited
fancy2 He raised his head frt.m his pillow. and
listened atenively. Hush! there i, something!
-no!-it was his contagious mind ready TO he1r
and see-what? There was an actual sound oi
the latchl He could hear it raised. He could
not be mistaken. There was sc und as ii his
door was cautiously opened. List! it was true.
There were soft stealthy footsteps on the carpet;
they came directly toward the bed; something
crePl; did not The heart and the flesh Of the rash
old man now creep too?-and sark papable
form, palpable from its pressure, for the ishl
was as dark as an oven. There was heavy
light on his chest. md in the same insian
something almost icy cold touched his fuce.
With sudden cpnvuIsive action, the old man
suddenly flung up lis arms, clutched a, the terri
BILE object which thus oppressed him and shouted
with a loud cry:
"l'se got him I've got him.
There was sound as Of deep growl, ve-
hem ent struggle, but John Basiord held fast his
hold. and expected TINT he had someti,g "a h.
in huge, shaggy and powerful. Once more he
raised his voice loud enough 10 have reused the
whole house; but it seemed no voice OF terror.
but one Of triumph and satisfaction. In The
next instant, the farmer rushed into the room
with light in his hand, and revealed to John
Basford that he held in his arm the struggling
for n of huge New Foundland dog
=" Let him go, in Gods name !'ejaculated the
farmer, on whose brow drops Of real anguish
stood, ard gstened in the light of the candle.
{" Down stairs, Cesur ~ he exclaimed, and the
dog. released from The hold of the Quaker. de-
parted as if much ashamed.
In the same Instant the farmer and his wife
who now also came in dressed, and ev leut y
never having been t, bed, we're on their knees
by the bedside.
.You know it all sir" said the farmer, "you
see through it. You were loo deep nnd stroE g
minded 10 be imposed on. We were, therefore.
afruid OF this when you asked 10 sleep In Til
room. Promise US now, that willie we live.
you will never reveal what you know 90
They then related to him, TINT his house and
chamber had never been haunted by any other
than this dog, Which had been trained t. play
the part. That for generations, thei- famiI,
had lived on t is farm; but some years ago, thci
landlord having suddenly raised their rent to an
amount that they felt they could not give, they
were compelled to think Of quitting the farm,
This was t. them un Insupernble source of gri f.
1t WINS The place that all their lives and memor.
les were bound up with. They were extreme
Iy cas, down. Suddenly it occurred t then, t.