Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1854-06-22

"But what is the .use.' said The doctor,
'if the old man is gone! -
But Joe dsJained 10 parleg now that The
object Of his journey was before hlm. lie =
pushed into the office, where he had been =,
hundred times before, and returning with
his infaIlble saddle-bags, threw them across /,
his mares neck ; then catching up the doc
tor in spite of his struggles, he fairly de-
posted him in The saddle, jumped up be-
hind him, and tearing the halter strap from
the post, dashed off through the village at
a gsIlnp, to the dismsy OF dozen faces,
which were by this time thrust forth from
as many windowe.
| On they went, heller skelter, down The
hill towards the farm Of old Deaderou',
who, according to Joe's estimate Of morali-
i ty, after many faints, had now gone dead
in earnest; the doctor was too much occu-
pied in keeping his seat for the first mile TO
denounce his abduction so strongly as he
could have wished, and Joe was too much
excited to listen so on-on they went in
cloud Of dust, while thunderstorm, which
had been brewing all the evening over
Stone Hill. was now conf. 9 up in the rear,
like thousand race horses-untl on the
rise of second hill, The mare suddenly
shyed by clump Of cedars-Joe pulled
her with jerk-and 10 there was the
|ight-horseman's ghos, mounted on a pale
sliced, and in the very act Of making mil
itary salute.
der duy6l!" calculated Joe, and dash
ed his heavy heels the mares side; but
though in general as quick on the spring
as sleel-trap she now refused TO bulge a
foot.
The light-horseman also reigned in on
Joe's right side, where he sa. snfily in the
saddle looking steadily at the two awe
stricken specimens Of morality, with his
dim yet fiery eyes.
Der duyfl ~ exclaimed Joe again, des-
pe,aey digging into the mares ribs, while
The doctor mulered some half forgotten
German prayer. The beas, was too frigh-
tened TO stir, and the ghost remained where
he was as steadily as all iron statue. ice
now grew desperate, and spoke out like
perfect dread-nough,, as be was, though his
voice quivered.
"[ say, mister-so much-good abend
wat you acansche !! The old mans gone
dod,-
"Rat the old man !" said the ghost, in a
hollow voice; CPL ride you race 10 the
bridge for quar-. of brandy wine, the liquor
to be left in stone jug at the east end
Of the bridge, Tomorrow, at midnight, if
win"
"And how if you lose said Joe, mindful
of his former boast, and determined, though
his hair stood straight, not "!o be backed
down."
sn that case" answered the lighthouse
man in the same churchyard tone, "you'll
find stone Jug Of the right SORT on the
last step of the davil's staircase, a, the same
hour.
"What odds will you give me! ~ said
Deaderout, settling himself for start, while
the DOCTORS teeth chartered audlbly.
:sTo the foo, Of the bill, as you carry
double weight, and no more," said the
ghos, bu, you must be quick, or the storm
will drench you"
"Agreed," said Joe, whose wild humor
was,n now fairly up; ''hang the storm! l'll
start a, the frs. clap"
"Yo on won't have 10 wait long," replied
The ghos, "here i, comes!''
"Here's for il" shouted Joe; "ha-y:"
The doctor grasped the mane-the mare
snored and spupg forward, just as the dus.
!, and leaves came came flying past, in a
cloud-lhe lightning glafed in broad,
=, vindcsive glesm around ahem, and peal
of thunder, fit to stun monument, broke
/, over their heads in one rsttllng roar. Away
they went on the wings Of the storm wind
, -dust-leaves-drop Of rain-men and
horse in one mad whirl !; at the foo, of the
hill. the doctor turned his head, and dis
.incllv saw, by the light of a second flash,
, the pale steed coming in after them at a ter
Erible pace-ibrough The air as i: seemed,
her fore feet nearly on line with his phan-
: tom frame, and the white plume streaming
out behind, like the very signal Of DOOM
The sigh, restored his voice in a ,winklng:
perhaps there was something in the picture
which his excited Imagination conceived TO
be slightly professional.
"Hurfat, Joe !" he shouted; "never say
de-psy ii into her sides-repeat the dose
stronger still, my boy-if we reach the
the bridge first, s0e'H acin."
Blu, Joe needed no exhorta,ions, and the
, game old mare, laying her ears back like
!, regular turl-horse, fairly flew. Up a steep
hill they dashed, and down the hollow,
scattering the mud light and left as the wind
suddenly fell, and the rain came down in a
solid sheet, llumined by The vivid glare of
The lightning. The Goc,or looked round
again, and 10 +! The white sleed was gaining
ground.
s.Double The dose, Joe,' he exclaimed,
with frenzed anxiety, "he's coming up
don't scruple-desPerase easel"
! Meek or nothing now !" calculated Joe,
as he caught glimpse Of the poplars by
the old bridge -'hs-ym