The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1854-10-25

bell has recalled to my memory.
1t was on an autumn cvenii G, nearly
five years since, that Isabella took ad-
| vantage of the absence of her father to
have a social gathering of young people
at their house Martin, of course, was
present, with the fairest youths, and
inaidens; and being under no restraint
from the gravity of the clergyman, who
| was not expected home till late, the
| company enjoyed themselves freely with
| jests, songs, and social games.
The hour a which such9arties usually
broke up had already passed, and there
was no relaxation in the gaiety of the
young people, when some one foolishly
mentioned the subject of ghosts, some
thing of that description having been re-
ported as seen in the vicinity of the
church-yard.
at is silly report said Martin.
Nobody can believe that a ghost was
really seen there and l doubt if per-
| son here believes at all in the existence
of ghosts.
''You do, yourself-you know you do
Martin, although you are ashamed to
own it, y cried Isabella But Martin
only laughed Come now continued
the thoughtless girl =" can prove that
you have some idea that such things
may exist. Go to the churehyard alone
in the dark and then declare, if you can,
that you have felt no fear.
'sAnd what would that prove?"
"Why, you would be frightened,
though you should see nothing. Your
fears would put your belief to the test.
How could you be afraid if you did not
feel that there was something to be afraid
of ?"
' I do not think your logic is the best
in the world" replied Martin, laughing.
q Men are often troubled with fear, when
their reason tells them there is no cause
to fear But deny, in the first place,
that journey to the churchyard, even
at midnight, would frighten Inc in the
least. "
"How bravely you can talk :" said
Isabella, indulging in her customary tone
of sarcasm. But nobody here be-
lieves you. L don't, at any rate. Why
you hadn't courage enough the other
day to help kill a rabbit; your mother
told me so "
@ l never like to cause or witness pain
if it can be avoided, answered Martin,
blushi2g. ...- ..--t--
Hal ha hal what an excellent ex-
cuse! You are brave enough, to be sure,
but tender hearted Come, row you
dare not go to the churchyard this night
alone. You are not half so courageous
as you would have us believe. Whether
you think there are ghosts or not, you
are afraid of them. -
Martin was extremely sensitive; but
the sarcasm Of nobody except Isabella
could have stung him so to the quick
Scorning the imputation of cowardlce,
he was ready to do almost any desperate
act to prove courage. "But," said he,
although l have no more fear of church
yards and ghosts, than l have Of ORCH
ards and appletrees, am not going to
walk half mile, merely to be laughed
at"
"Ha hal but you shall no. escape
50 I" laughed Isabella. Here, before
these our friends, l promise that this
ring shall be yours" she continued, dis
laying one given her by an old lover
which Martin had often desired her tc
part with, provided you go to the
churchyard alone, in the dark, and de
clare, on your honor, when you return
that you were not III the least afraid.
agreed" said Martin, buttoning
up his coat, for the night was chill.
q And as evidence that you 60 the en-
tire distance, you can bring with you the
iron bar, which you will find close by
the gate, " said Isabella.
Thus driven by taunts to the commits
sion of folly, Martin took leave of the
company full of courage and spirit, and
set out on his erraud.
1t was near quarter of a mile to the
churchyard, which was approached by {
lonely dreary path, seldom travelled ex
cept by mourners.
1t is impossible to relate precisely
what happaned to Martin on that gloomy
road Judge from the circumstances
which afterwards came to light, anc
) conjecture his adventure must have beer
} as am about to relate it.
Light as he was in frame, and tende
in his feelings, he was not destitute o
, courage. I do not think he was fright
) ened by the signing of the wind, and tn
, rustling of the dry autumnal leaves, a
many stronger men might have been.-
He marched steadily to the churchyard
stopped moment perhaps to gaze sadly
3 but not fearfully, at the white tomb
stones cleaning family in the dark an
| desolate ground, for the stars shon
brilliantly in the clear cold sky the
g shouldering the iron bar of which lisa
4 bella had spoken, he set out to return.
He had proceeded about half way
: when, in the gloomiest part of the roac
y he saw a white figure emerge from
: clump of willows and come towards hin
h 1t looked like walking corpse, in
: winding sheet, which trailed upon th
= ground. All Martins strength of nerv
was gone instantly. Courage gave plac
c to desperation, his hair standing erec
+ and his blood running chill with horro
y still he stood his ground. The specie
= drew nearer, seemed TO grow whittier an
e larger as it approached. We cannc
a tell what frenzy seized upon the brain
of the unhappy youth at that moment.
/. The guests at the clergyman's hou'
i heard terrific screams. Dreading SON
e tragic termination to the farce, the
o rushed to the spot, one of the numbC
!; carrying a lantern. They found Mart
d kneeling on PROSTATE figure, his finger
is clutching convulsively its throat, whi
e he still uttered frantic shtieks for hel
d His wild features of terror.
2 Only two of the most courageo
Il young men dared approach him. Oh
% of them forced Martin to relax his no
ON the throat of the figure, while t