Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1854-11-24

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 to the quick, Sconlng
m, imputation # cowarCIicc, ne was ready
to do any desperate act to prove his cour-
,co ,Eat,' said he, although l have no
moro lear Of church-yards and ghosts.
tb,, | have Of orchards and appletrees, l
AN not going nearly half mile merely
to be laughed at :.
/ Hal he but you shall not escape so y
laurhed ISABELLA. Here, before these our
friend, promise that this ring shall be
rs" she continued, displaying one CIV
in her by an old lover which Martin had
often desired her to part with, 'provideyou
90 to the church-yard alone, in the dark,
to show that you are not in the least AFRAID:
Agreed said Martin, buttoning up hls
coat. for the night was chilly.
And as evidence that you go the entire
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 a folly, Martin took leave of the
company, full of courage and spirit, and
set out on his crrand.
1t was near quarter of mile to the
church yard, which was approached
by a lonly dreary path, seldom travelled
except by mournerS'
It is impossible to relate precisely what
happenea to Martin on that gloomy road.
! I Judge from the circumstances, which af-
tsfwards came to light, and conjecture his
adventure must have been as / am about
to relate it,
! Light as he was in frame, and tender in
his feelings, he was not destitute Of cour-
age. do not think he was frightened by
the signing of the wind, and the rustling
of the dry autumnal leaves, as many
stronger men might have been. He march
ed steadily to the church-yard, stopped a
moment perhaps to gaze sadly, but not
tcarfully, at the white tombstonos CLEAN
ing family in the dark and desolate ground,
for the stars shone brilliantly in the clear
cold sky; then shouldering the iron ban
of which Isabella had spoken, he set ou
to return.
He had proceeded about half way
when. in the gloominst part of the road
he saw white figure emerge from clum|
OF willows Ill come towards him. l
looked Ikea walking corpse, in wind
ing sheet, which trailed upon the ground
All Martins strength of nerve was gon
instantly. Courage gave place to despera
tion, his hair standing erect, and his bloc,
running chill with horror, still he stoot
his ground. The spectre drew nearer
and seemed to grow whittier and larger a
It appr0acnet. VIZ cannot tell what fivrl
zy seized upon the brain of the unhappy
youth al that moment.
The guests at the clergyman's hous
heard terrific screams. Dreading som
tragic termination to the farce, they rushe
to the spot. one of the number carrying
lantern. They found Martin kneelins o
a PROSTATE figure, his fingers clutchin
convulsively its throat, while he still III
: tered frantic shrieks for help,
Only two ofthe most courageous youn
men dared approach him. One of thcl
forced Martin to relax his hold on the thro'
of the figure, while the other tore ava
the folds of the sheet At the momel
the bearer came up, its lights fell on II
blood stained features of Isabella. Ma
tin uttered one more Unearthly shrek, an
: fell scnseless On the corpse. He nev,
spoke again. but livel--an idiot
A lrightful confusion on Isabella's ten
pie bore evidence that in his frenzy he ha
struck the supposed spectre with the iro
bar. The blow was probably the cause
her death; although such a grasp as h
hands must have given her threat, migl
alone have deprived her of breath. L
never knew afterwards what he had don
for never gloam Of reason illuminate
, the darkness Of his soul; and now the tol
ing bell has told Us that Heaven, in i
mercy, has finally freed the spirit from il
shackles Of clay, and given it fight in
better world.