Spirit of the age., 1853-06-01


The following story is an old, but preci-
ous one. We laughed heartily over it a
long time ago, and presuming many of our
readers never heard tive serve it up for their
edi6cation.
A gentleman travelling some years since,
i'm the upper part of the State, called at a
htayern, and requested entertainment for the
|Eght. The landlord informed him that it
ss put OF his power to accommodate him,
iasa house was already full. He persisted
in Stopping, as he as well as his horse were
almosF48 Exhausted with travelling. After much
| solicitation, the landlord consented to hisstop-
/ iping, provided he would sleep in certain
room that had not been occupied for long
time, in consequence of a belief that it was
haunted by the ghost of a barber, who was
reported to have been murdered in that room,
some years before.
Very WE'LL saidthe man, I'm not afraid
Of ghosts
After having refreshed himself, he inquir-
ed of the landlord, how and in what manner
Groom in which he was to lodge was haunt
ed The landlord replied, that shortly after
they had retired to rest, an unknown voice
was heard in trembling and protracted ae-
cent, SAYING
Do YOU want to be shaved I
/ Well, replied the man, if he comes, he
may shave me-
lie then requested TO be shown to the apart
ment in going to which, he was -condu-ted
through large room, where were seated
great number Of persons at a gambling table
Feeling curiosity which almost every one
possesses after having heard ghost stories, he
carefully searched every corner of his room,
but could discover nothing but the usual fur
niture ofthe apartment. He then laid down
but did not close his eyes to sleep immedi-
; ately, and in few minutes, he imagined he
heard voice, saying
DO you acant to be shared 2
He arose from his bed, and searched every
part of the room, but could discovernothing.
! He again went to bed, but no sooner had he
begun to compose himself to sleep, than the
: question was again repeated. He again arose
: ard went to the window, the sound appear
ing to proceed from that quarter, and stood
awhile silent-after a few moments Of anx-
p ious suspense, he again heard the sound
e distinctly, and convinced that it was from
without, he opened the window, when the
: question was repeated full in his ear, which
startled him not little. Upon minute ex-
/ animation, however, he observed that the
limb of large oak tree, which stood under
: his window, projected so near the house, that
every breath of wind, to lively Imagination,
made a noise resembling the interrogation
: DO you Wa mt to De shaved 2
Having satisfied himself that his ghost was
4 nothing more nor less than the limb of a tree
$ coming in contact with the house, he again
n went to bed and attempted to get asleep
: but he was now interrupted by peals of laugh,
u ter, and an occasional voIey of oaths and cur.
, ses, from the room where the gamblers were
! ! assembled. Thinking that he could turn the
n late discovery to his own advantage, he tool
20 sheet from the bed and wrapped it around
O. him, and taking the wash-basin in his hand
t, and throwing a towel over his arm, proceed
1t ed to the room Of the gamblers, and sudden
> ly opening the door, stalked in exclaimin,
= in a tremulous voice.
=, 20 DO you want to be shaved ?
VI Terrie. ~ - appearance ef Il.
Is, ghost, the gamblers were thrown into th
a greatest confusion, in attempting to escape il
er e.! some jumping through the windows, an
H. others tumbling head over heels down stair
+ T. Our ghost, taking advantage of clear room
- deliberately swept large amount Of none
from the table, into the basin, and retire
. unseen to his own room.
v The next morning, he found the house i
ur the utmost confusion. lie was immediatel
nd asked i'll rested we'll to which he reptile
in the affirmative.
y, y, Well, no wonder,' said the landlord, f
he he the ghost, instead of going to bis own room
D. made mistake and come to ours, frightene
or us out Of the room, and took away ever
&c. dollar Of our money!
er, The guest, without the least suspicion
ret quietly ate his breakfast, and departed man
TN hundred dollars richer by the adventure.