Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-10-21
From The Leisure Hour.
The Haunt led s sond-A Ghost Story

a marvel, as an the weak and credulous ant
wonder-loving mind. IL Is astonishing how
easily simple natural event may be invested
with marvellous and supernatural appear
ance. A short time ago, as l was returning
late In the evening from lonely house al
which had been paying visit, having oc-
casion TO pass along road oyerhuug with
dark thick trees on each side, | dscerned, as
| approached the avenue, an ancient dame,
clad in one Of those picturesque scarlet
cloaks which are now so seldom seen, linger-
ing or watching with uncertain steps by the
road side. As soon as she perceived me, she
advanced, and In respectful but earnset tones
begged that would slacken my pace a little
in order that she might walk with me
through the gloomy avenue. On interroga-
ting her, she informed me that "spirit" was
said to haunt that road by night, and that.
though II had seldom been seen, II was accus-
toned 10 make It's presence known by the
rattling Of a chain. Joe Hobson, the farri-
er's boy, had once caught glimpse Of II,
dressed In white, with long horns upon lis
head, passing nimbly through the thick trees
on both sides, without being impeded, il
would seem, either by the solid trunks or by
the thick underwood and twining brambles.
She dared not 90 alone, she told me; indeed,
none but a parson could be considered sa fe
from the intrusions Of the chained but still
nimble ghost; but # would allow her TO ac-
company me, she would walk fast her
limbs could carry her, might be sure.
As wa went along tried to reason with
her, ana to show her the absurdity Of her
fears, but evidently with little effect; for she
declared with singular perversly that II she
were told enough TO disbelieve, she should
expect the ghost to show itself Immediately,
to punish her incredulity. As we advanced,
the grove became narrower and darker, and
the old woman grasped me more tightly by
the arm; when, strange to say, the rattling
OF chain, at a short distance from me, dis
tinctly reached my ears. My companion
heard il also,
"There 1t - said she; 81 hear it now
o! let us 60 back; come, come"
"Nonsense," | replied leading her on ;
"'tis nothing to be afraid OFF,
"It's the -, you know what" she
cried, not daring 10 utter the name Of the
thing she dreaded. Don't leave me: o! do
come back"
With some difficulty, | persuaded her to
remain standing on spot where the moon +.
light penetrated through the trees, while /
advanced in pursuit Of the invisible ghost; a
few steps brought me near to dark object,
which moved as l approached, dragging a
chain along the ground close to my feet; and
soon was able 10 arrest the "spirit," aud TO
lead II in the shape Of donkey which had
slipped its tether, to the trembling old wo-
man.
Having thus allayed her fears, asked her
as we proceeded on our journey and emerg-
ed upon the high road, how she could sup
pese that spirits would walk about in chains
through the dark woods-what object they
could have in such midnight rambles.
She answered, with groan; "No good,
you may be sure"
"Did you ever hear Of their doing harm to
any one1"
"Yes," she replied, "Jemmy Brown was
frightened almost out of his wits by the
ghost In this ovenue."
"By the ghost. or by the donky7 In my
opinion Jenny Brown had only himself to
thank for the fright he got; Il he had had
more wits 10 lose, there would have been
less ghost to rob him Of them. But serious
ly, II is not only very foolish but very wicked
TO entertain and TO propagate such fears
Setting aside the absurdity Of supposing that
spirits would show themselves here and there
and rattls chains or rustic about in shrouds
for no possible object, II shows a great want
Of faith in the protecting care Of God, TO be
afraid where no fear Is, and TO imagine den-
gers where none exist. You would have had
far more pleasant walk this evening, Il
your mind had been occnpIed with the evi'
dences and tokens Of Gods goodness which
surround us every where and always. There
are indeed dangers by night as well us by
day; but II you look habItualy to him fol
protection, you will soon learn TO trust IN
his providence, and TO banlsh all vain, unwor-
thy fears from your mind"
"You speak truly, sir" said the old wo.
man, "but | can't help feeling as do.
hear 80 many stories that don't know wha
TO think about them; aud even II could be
persuaded that there Is no truth in them, ye
they come back 10 me when | chance TO be
alone in the dark, and frIghten me In spite o.
myself"
This Is the fault Of education" sand L.
HABIT is second nature; but you must 70 asor
against Il, and try 10 overcome IL. As you
have suffered so much Inconvenience ant
alarm from the false and foolish stories o
others, be sure you never spread abroad sucf
tales yourself; take care that any children
you may have TO do with are never enter
tanned with marvellous narratives TO max,
their hearts throb and their blood rnn cold
Children have natural craving for such food
Whatever stimulates the curiosity and ex
cites the mind they will eagerly receive. ans
the mischief that is done la few idle mo
menis may not bs remeded in after years
Let your neighbou know that you have a
last both seen aud handled the ghost o
Southwood avenue; and tell them that al
other hobgoblins, if pursued and examined
would doubtless prove as innocent and natu
raj as poor Jenny, the brckmaker's doakey.'
The love Of the wonderful prevails so gen
erally over the love Of truth, that was no
surprised to hear afterwards that many OF tn
neghbors TO whom the old woman told he
story believed the former part Of Il, namely
that she had heard the rattllng Of n chain AM
seen dark object cross her path, but the.
scorned TO accept the result Of our examina
ton OF the ghost; 40 that with many our ad
venture was regarded m confirming the eSis
tence Of The "spIrIt' that had so long rat
tied lie chains by night under the dark shad
of the trees.