Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-08-09
MlstelIaneous Artltlrs,
AGhost Story.

In all ages, persons Of weak intellects have
believed in apparltions yet we may conf
dently affirm, that stories of ghosts are mis-
takes or impositions, and that they may al
ways be detected by proper exercise ofthe
mental faculty. In all situations of this kind,
there is manifestly an endeavor to make the
events as supernatural, wonderful, and as
we'll attested as possible, to prevent the sus-
picion of trick, and to silence all objections
which might be made to their credibiIity.-I
Complying with this custom; we will recount
a story Of a ghost which seems to possess all
the desired requisites.
AT town in the west of England, twenty
four persons were accu toned to assemble
once week, to drink, smoke tobacco, and
talk politics. Like the academy of'Rubens,
at Antwerp, each member had his peculiar
chair, and the presidents was more elevated
than the rest. As one of the members had
been in dying state for some time, his
chair, whilst he was absent, ,remained vacant.
When the club met on the usual night,
inquiries were naturally made after their
associate. As!he lived in the djoining house,
particular friend was sent to inquire after
him, and returned with the melancholy in
telligence that he could noE survive the night
all efforts to turn the conversation from the
sad subject before them were ineffectual-
About midnight the door opened ; and the
form, in white, of the dying or the dead man,
walked into the room, and took his seat in
his accustomed chair.
There he remained in silence, and in sill,
ence was he gazed at. The apparition con-
tinued sufficient time in the chair to as
sure all who we're present of the reality Of
the vision. At length he arose, and stalked
towards the door, which he opened, as il
Iliving-went out and shut the door after him.
After a long pause, some one, at last, had
the resolution tosay,
| If only one of us had seen this, he would
not have been believed but it is impossible
that SO many can have been deceived
The company, by degrees, recovered their
speech, and the whole conversation, as may
be imagined, was upon the dreadful object
which had engaged their attention.
| They broke up, and went home In the
morning, inquiry was made after their sick
friend. 1t was answered by an account o
his death, which happened nearly about the
time Of his appearance in the club-room.-
There could be little doubt before; but now
nothing could be more certain than the ap
partition, which had been simultaneously
seen by so many persons. ~,
1t is unnecessary to say, that such story
spread over the country, and found credi
even from infdels; for in this case, all reason
ing became ,superfuous, when opposed to
plain fact, attested by three-and twenty wit
nesses. To assert the doctrine of the fxeC
laws of nature, was ridiculous, when Their
were so many people Of credit to prove tha
they might be unfxed. Years rolled on
and the story was almost forgotten.
One Of the club was an apothecary. I
the course of his practice, he was called t
an old woman, whose business it was to a
tend sick persons. She told him that sh
could leave the world with quiet conscienc
but for one thing, which lay upon her min(
Do you not remember Mr.. -, who's
ghost has been so much talked of? [ W;
bis nurse. On the night of his death, / le
the room for something I wanted. l am sure
had not been absent long but, at my retur
[ found the bed without my patient! E
was delirious, and feared that he had throw
himself out of the window. I was SO frigf
ened that l had no power TO stir but, aft
some time, to my great astonishment,
entered the room, shivering, and his tee
chattering, laid himself down on the bed al
died !!
Considering my negligence as the eau
of his death, | kept this secret, for fear.
what might be done tome Though cou
have contradicted all the story of the gho
| dared not to do it. knew by what b
happened, that it was he himself who b
been in the club room (perhaps recollecti1
it was the night of meeting J but hope G.
and the poor gentleman sfriends will forgi
me, and [ shall die contented.'
To FARMERS. The Hartford Times, me
tions a farmer who took up fence after