Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-06-07
[PROPRIETORS. s.
The GllOSi.Raiser.


Commercial career very early in the present
century as bagman. ill tell stories. Among
them. he tells his Single GhoA story So often.
that | am heartily tired oft. In self-deiencc.
publish the tale in order that when
nex' the good, kind old gentleman offers 10
bore as with it, every body may say they know
IT. | remember every word Oft. ia-'
e One fine autumn evening. about forty years
bury to Chester. ! felt toerably tired. and
was beginning to look out for some snug way
side inn, here | might pass the night, when
sudden AND violent thunder storm came on
My horse terrified by the lightning. fairly took
the bride between his teeth. and started off
with me in full gallop through lanes and cross.
roads, until at length managed TO pull him
up Just near the door of u neat t-looking coun.
try inn. reaf aaias :.
WELL" thought 1. '.,hcre was wit in your
madness. old boy. since it brought us to this
comfortable refuge -.
And alighting, gave him in charge to the
trout farmer s boy who acted ostler. The
inn-kitchen, ~hich was also the guest room,
VAS large, clean. neat and comfortable, very
like the peasant hostelry described by Ixsak
Walton. There were several travellers alrsa-
dy in the room-probably. like myself. driven
there for chelter-and they were all warming
themselves by the blazing fire while waiting
for supper Joined the party Presently, be-
ing summoned by the hostess, We all sat down
twelve in number, To smoking repast Of ba
con and eggs; corned beef and carrots, and
stewed hare.
The conversation naturally turned on the
nishaps occasioned by thestorm of which ev-
cry one seemed to have had his full share. One
had been thrown of his horse, another, driving
in gig. had been upset into muddy dyke;
all had got Thorough wetting, and agreed u.
unanimously that it was dreadful weather.
regular witches sabbath!
Witches and ghosts prefer for their sabbath
fine moonlight night to such weather as this!'
These words were uttered in column tone
and with strange emphasis. by one of the com
pany. He was tall dark looking man, and
| had set him down in my own mind as a
travelling merchat or pedar. My next neigh.
Dor was gay, well looking. fasliionably -dres-
,ed young man. who bursting into peal of
laughter, said:
"You must know the manners and customs
OF ghosts very well, to be able to tell that they
dislike getting wet or muddy
The first speaker giving him dark fierce
look. said:
"Young man, speak not so lightly of things
above your comprehension "Do you mean to
imply that there are such things as ghostsl"
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 were
not such foolish one.'
"a foolish onei" exclaimed the Merchant,
throw ing on the table heavy leathern purse
There are fifty guineas. am content to lose
them If. before the hour is ended, | do not sue
ceed in showing you. who are so obs,i
nately prejudiccd, 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
neighbor, still in the same mocking manner,
replied:
You will do that, will you p
"Yes," said the other-"I will stake these
fifty guineas. on condition, that you will pay q
similar sum, ifyou lose"
After short silence, the young man said
gaily:
FIFTY guineas. my worthy sorcerer, are
more than poor college sizar ever possessed;
but here are five which, if you are satisfied, i
shall be most willing to wager"
The other took up his perse, saying, in a
confemptuous tone:
"1 Dung gentleman, you wish to drawback"
"Idraw back" exclaimed the student. "Well
If had fifty guineas, yod should see whether
| wish to draw back!"
"Here." said l, "are four guineas. which
will stake on your wager"
No sooner had made this proposition than
the rest Of the company, attracted by the singu
larity of the affair, came forward to lay down
their money; and in minute or two the Fifty
guineas We're subscribed. The merchant up
peared SO sure Of winning. that he placed all
the stakes in the students hands, and prepared
for his experiment. We selected for the pur
pose small summerhouse in the garden, per-
fectly isolated, and having no means Of exit
but window and door, which we carefully
fastened. after placing the young man within.
We put writing materials on small table in
the summer house. and took away the candles.
We remained outside, with the pedlar among us.
Ia low solemn voice he began to chant the fol-
lowing lines:
"Wha, riscth slow from the ocean caves
And the stormy surf ..Irt1I.
The phantom pale sets lis blackenened foot
On the fresh green turf
Then, raising his voice solemnly. he said
"You asked to see your friend, Francis Vii
liers, who was drowned three years ago. off the
coast Of South Amerca-what do you see?"
81 see.' replied the student, "a white light
arising near the window; but it has no form; il
is like an uncertain cloud"
p Wc-the spectators-remained profoundly
"Are you afraidl" asked the merchant. in a
lond voice.
Il am not" replied the student, firmly.
After a moments silence. the pedlar stamped
three times on the ground. and sang: i
And the phantom white, whose clay-cod face
Was fair.
Dries with bis shroud his clnging vest
And his sea-iossed hair"
Once more the solemn question:
"You. who would see revealed the mysteries
ofihe tomb-what do you see now2'
The student answered in a calm voice, but
like that Of man describing things as they pass
before him:
IL see the cloud taking the form of phan.
tom; its head is covered with long veil
it stands stillr'
"Are you afraid!"