Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-11-30
THE GHOST RAISER.

"y Suoic DedSley, VIII commenced
his commercial career very carly in the
present century as bagman, wiH tell
stories. Among them, he tells his single
Ghost Story so often. that am heartily
tired of it. In selfdefence, therefore. I
publish the tale in order that when next
the good, kind old gentleman offers to
bore us with it everybody may say
they know it. l remember every word
of it.
One fine autumn evening, about forty
years ago, was travelling en- horseback
from Shrewsbury to Chester. I felt tol-
erably tired, and was beginning to look
out for some snug way-side inn where I
might pass the night, when sudden and
violent storm came on. My horse, ter
riticd by the lightning, fairly took the
bit between his teeth and started off with
me at full gallop through lanes and cross
roads until at length managed to pull
him up just near the door of neat-look-
ing country inn.
WELL" thought "there was wit in
your madness, old boy, since it brought
us TO this comfortable refuge" And
alighting, l gave him in charge of the
stout farmers boy who acted as ostler.
The inn kitchen, which was also the
guest room, was large, clean, neat and
comfortable, very like the pleasant hos
tclry described by lzaak 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.
Presently, being summoned by the hos
tess, we all sat down, twelve in number,
to smoking rcpast of bacon and eggs,
corned beef and carrots, and stewed
hare.
The conversation turned naturally on
the mishsps 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 a
thorough wctting, and agreed unanimous
ly that it was dreadful weather. recu-
lar witches sabbath
g Witches and ghosts prefer for their
sabbath fine moonlight night to such
weather as this ~
These words were uttered in a solemn
tone, and with strange emphasis, by one
of the company. lie was & tall, dark
looking man. and had set him down in
my own mind as a travelling merchant or
pedler. My next ncighbor was a CAV,
well-looking, fashionably dressed young
man, who, bursting into peal of laugh
ter, 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 a dark,
fierce look, said:
" Young mnn speak not so lightly of
things above your comprehension.
50. 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
anger. But presently resuming his scat,
he said calmly:
THAT taunt should cost you dear if
"A foolish one ~ exclaimed the mer-
chant, throwing on the table heavy
leathern purse. There are fifty guineas.
am content to lose them, if, before the
hour is ended, | do not succeed in show
ing you, who are SO obstinately preiu-
diced, the form of any one of your de-
ceased 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 mock
ing manner, replied:
4" You will do that, will you !''
g Yes, said the other | will stake
these fifty guineas, on condition that you
Will pay similar sum if you lose. "
After a 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. | shall be most willing
to wager"
The other took up his purse, saying, in
a contemptouS tone.
Young gentleman, you wish to draw
back"
'' | draw back 2" exclaimed the stu
dent. Well, if | had the fifty guineas,
you should see whether wish to draw
back. :"
Here" said 7, care four guneas,
which | will stake on your wager"
No sooner had | made this proposition
than the rest of the company, attracted
by the singularity of the affair, came for
ward to lay down their money andsin
minute or two the fifty guineas were
subscribed. The merchant appeared so
sure of winning that he placed all the
stakes in the students hands, and pre-
pared for his experiment. We selected
for the purpose small summer-house in
the garden, perfectly 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 a small table in the
summer-house and took away the cam
dies. We remained outside with the