Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-08-16

! !" thS S"iS'J W Wv Jung PN"P'S5 "'N SO'-'N
foolishly mentioned the subject of ghosts, some
thing of that description having been reported as
having been seen in the vicinity of the church
yard.
at is silly report" said Martin. Nobody can
believe that ghost was really seen there; and
doubt if person here believes at all in the eXls-
tence of ghosts"
''You do, yourself-you know you do. Martin
although you are ashamed to own it," cried lsa-
bella But Martin only laughed. ''Come new,' D
continued the thoughtless girl, 81 can prove that
YOU have some idea that such things may exist
Go to the churchyard alone in the dark and then
declare, if you can that you have felt no fear."
''And what would that prove ?"
"Why, you will be frightened, though you
should see nothing. Your fears would put your
belief to the test. How could you be afraid ifyou
did not feel that there was something to be afraid
Of"
81 do not think your logic is the hest in the
world" replied Martin, laughing. "Men are Of
ten 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 me in the least" 4"
"How bravely you can talk" said Isabella. in
dulging in her customary tone of sarcasm. ''But
nobody here believes you. don't at any rate
Why, you hadn't courage enough, the other day,
to help kill a rabbit; your mother told ne so"
Il never like to cause or witness pain, If 1t can
be avoided" answered Martin, blushing.
s'Ha! ha Lha what an excellent excuse! You
are brave enough, TO be sure; but tender hearted
Come, now you dare not 90 to the churchyard
this night alone You are not half 50 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 sar-
casm of nobody except Isabella could have stung
him so to the quick. Scorning the imputation of
cowardice, he was ready to do almost any despe-
rate act to prove his courage But" said he,
''although have no more fear of churchyards and
ghosts, than have of orchards ind apple trees,
am not going to walk half mile, merely to be
| laughed at"
| "Hai ha but you shall not escape sol" laugh
ed Isabella ''Here, before these our friends,
promise that this ring shall be yours" she coutin-
ued, displaying one given her by an old lover,
which Martin had often desired her to part with,
..provded you 90 to the churchyard alone, in the
dark, and declare, on your honor, when you re-
turn, that you were not in the least afraid"
agreed, ;" said Martin, buttoning up his coat,
for the night was chill.
"And as evidence that you go the entire dis
tance, you can bring back with you the iron bar,
which you will find close by the gate," said lsa-
bella.
Thus driven by taunts TO the commission of a
folly, Martin took leave of the company full ol
courage and spirit, and set tut on his errand.
1t was near a quarter Of a mile to the church
Ward, which was approached by lonely dreary
Ipath. seldom travelled except by mourners.
1t is impossible to relate precisely what happen
ed to Martin on that gloomy road. judge from
the circumstances which alerward came TO light
and conjecture his adventure must have been as
ain about to relate it.
Slight as he was in frame. and tender in his
feelings, he was not destitute OF courage. do moi
think he was frightened by the signing Of the
wind, and the rustling ofthe dry Auiumnal leaves
as many stronger men might have been. lie
marched steadily TO the churchyard, stopped mo-
ment, perhaps to gaze sadly, bn, not iearfully at
the white tombstones cleaning family In the dark
and desolate ground, for the stars shone brllant-
ly in the clear cold sky then shouldering the l.
ron bar, of which Isabella had spoken, he set ou
to return.
He had proceeded about half way, when, in the
igloomiest part of the road, he saw white figure
emerge from a clump of willows and come towarc
him. 1t looked like walking corpse, in wind
ing sheet, which trailed upon the gro1nd. Al
Martins strength Of nerve was gone in an instant
Courage gave place to desperation, his hair stand
inc erect, and his blood running chill with horror
Istill he stood his ground. The spectre drew near
Ier. seemed to grow whittier ard larger as il ap
preached. We cannot tell what frenzy seizet
upon the brain Of the unhappy youth at that mo
ment.
The guests at the clergyman's house heard fer
rife screams. Dreading some tragic termination
to the farce, they rushed to the spot, one OF th'
number carrying a lantern. They found MaruI
kneelinr on a prostrate figure, his fingers clutch
inc convulsively its throat, while he still uttered
frantic shricks for help. His wild features eAhlb
tied the vely extremity of terror.
Only two of the most courageous young mel
dared approach him. One Of them forced MartiI
to relax his hold on the throat Of the figure, while
the other tore away the folds Of the sheet.
that moment, the bearer Of the lantern came up
lis LIGHT fell on the blood stained distorted features
of Isabella Martin uttered one more unearthl,
shrek, and fell senseless upon the corpse lit
never spoke again, but lived--an idiot
A lrightful confusion on lsabella'S temple bor'
evidence that in his frenzy he had struck the sup
posed spectre with the iron bar. The blow wa
probably the cause of her death although such ;
rrasp as his hands must have given her throat
5 might alone have deprived her of BREATH lit
never knew afterwards what he had done; for new
er oleam of reason illumined the darkness OF hi
saul; and now the toing bell has told us tina
Heaven. in its mercy, has finally freed the sprI
from its shackles of clay, and given 1t life an(
liUht in a better world.