The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-06-17
The Ghost Raiser.

Ny uncle Beagley, who commenced his
commercial career very early in the pres.
ent century as bagman, miU tell stories
Among them he tells his Single Ghost sto
ry SO often that am heartily tired Of it,
In selfdefence, therefore, publish the tale
in order that when next the good, kind old
gentleman offers 10 bore US with it, every
body may say they know it. remember
every word oil II.
One fine autumn evening, about forty
wears ago, | was travelling on horseback
from Shrewsbury to Chester. felt toler
,bly tired, and was beginning TO look out
for some snug way,side inn, where might
pass the night, when sudden and violen,
thunder storm came on. My horse, terri
fed by the lightning, fairly took the bride
between his teeth, and started off with me
at full gallop through lanes and crossroads.
until at length | managed to pull him ur
just near the door Of a neat looking country
| inn.
"Wel," thought |, "there was wit il
YOUR madness, old boy, since il brought US
to this comfortable refuge" And alighting
| gave him in charge Of the stout farmers
boy, who acted as ostler. The inn-kitchen
which was also the gucst-room, was large,
clean, neat and comfortable, very like the
peasa mt hostelry described by Isaac Wal
ton. There were several travellers already
in tho room-probably, like myself, driven
there for shelier--and they were all warm
ing themselves by the blazing fire while
waiting for supper. ] joined the party
Presently, being summoned by the hostess,
we all sat down, twelve in number, to .
smoking repast of bacon ard eggs, corned
beef and carrots, and stewed hare.
The conversation naturally turned on the
mishaps occasioncd by the storm, Of which
every one seemed TO have had his full share
One had been thrown of his horse; anoth
er, driving in gig, had been upset in Q
muddy dyke all had got thorough wetting
and agreed unanimous that it was dreadful
wea,her-a regular witches sabbath!
"Witchcs and ghosts prefer for their sab
bath fine moonlight night TO such wealth
er MS this"
These words were uttered in solemn
tone, and with strange emphasis, by one O.
the company. Hc was tall, dark looking
man, and had Sc, him down in my own
mind as n travelling merchant or pedlar.--
Nv next neighbor was gay, welllooking
Ifashionably dressed young man, who, burst
ing into laughter, said:
i "You must know tho manners and Gus
toms of ghosts very well to be able to tel
that they dislike getting wet or muddy"
l: The first speaker giving him dark
fierce look said:
"Young man, speak not so lightly o.
things above your comprehension.
], ADO you mean to imply that there arr
/, such things as ghostse"
4 "Perhrps there are, if YOU had the cour
4 age TO look at them"
The yonng man stood up, flushed will
anger. But presently resuming his seat
he said camly:
"That ,aunt should cost you dear, il i
were not such foolish one"
"a foolish onew exclaimed the mer
chant. throwing on the table heavy leath
tern purse. "Therc are fifty gnlneas.
am content to loso them, it, before the hou
is ended, do not succeed in showing You
who arc so ohstinately prejudiced, the torn
Of any one of your docon sed friends; and
after you have recognized him, you alloy
I him TO kiss your lips"
We oil looked at each other, but m
Young neighbor, still in the same mochln
manner replied