Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-11-22
THE GHOST RAISER.

present century as nanSman, VIII Tell
stories. Among them, be tells his sin.
gle ghost story so often, that am hear
tily tired of it. In self defence, there.
fore, publish the tale in order that
when next the good, kind old gentle
man offers to bore us with it everybo.
dy may say they know it, remember
every word of it.
One fine autumn evening, about for
ty years ago, was travelling on horse
back from Shrewsbury to Chester, fell
tolerably tired, and was beginning to
look out for some snug way-side inn
where 1 might pass the night, when q
sudden and violent storm came on. My
horse, terrified by lightning, fairly
took the bit between his teeth and star
ted off with me full gallop through lanes
and crossroads until at length 1 man.
aged to pull him up just near the door
of neat looking country inn.
"Well," thought l, "there was some
thing in your madness. old boy, since it
brought us to this comfortable refuge, -
and alighting, gave him in charge Of
the stout farmers boy who acted as
hostler. The inn kitchen, which was
also the guest room, was large, clean,
neat and comfortable, very much like
the pleasant hosiery described by Izaak
Walton. There were several travel
ers already in the room-probably like
myself, driven there for shelter-and
they were all warming themselves by
the blazing fire while waiting for sup
per. l joined the party. Presently,
being summoned by the hostess, we all
sat down, twelve in number to smo-
king repast of bacon and ogss, eorned
beef and carrots, and a dish of stewed
hare.
The conversation turned naturally on
the mishaps occasioned by the storm,
of which every one seemed to have had
his full share. One had been thrown
off his horse; another, driving gig,
had been upset into muddy dyke; all
had got thorough wetting, and agreed
unanimously that it was dreadful wealth
er-witch's sabbath!
"Witches and ghosts prefer for their
sabbath fine moonlight night to such
weather as this!'
These words were uttered in a solemn
tone, and with strong emphasis, by one
of the company. He was tall, dark
looking man, and l had set him down
in my own mind as a travelling mer-
chant or pedler. My next neighbor
was a gay, well-looking. fashionably
dressed young man, who, bursting into
a peal of laughter said:
"You must know the manners and
customs of ghosts very well, to be able
to tell that they dislike getting wet or
muddy"
The first speaker. giving him dark
look said:
"Young man speak not so lightly Of
things above your comprehension"
"Do you mean to imply that there
are such things as ghosts!"
"Perhaps there are if you had cour-
age to look at them"
The young man stood up, flushed
with anger. But presently resuming
his seat he sayed camly:
"that taunt should cost you dear if it
were not such foolish one."
"a foolish sne!" exclaimed the mer-
chant, throwing on the table heavy
leather purse.
"There are fifty guineas. I am content
to lose them, if before one hour is ended
do not succeed in showing you, who
are so obstinately prejudiced, the form
of any one of your deceased friends;
and if after you recognize him, you al
low him to kiss pour lips"
We all looked at each other, but my
young neighbor, still in the same mock
ing manner, replied.
"You will do that, will you?"
"Yes," said the other-"will you stake
these fifty guineas. on condition that
you will pay similar sum ifyou lose."
After short silence, the young man
said gaily:
"Fifty ginueas, my worthy sorcerer,
are more than poor college sizar ever
possessed, but there are FIVE, which it
YOU are satisfied, l shall be most willing
to wager"
The other took up his purse, saying
in contemptuous tone:
young gentleman, you wish to draw
back"
"Draw back" exclaimed the student.
Well, if 1 had the fifty guineas, you
\ should see whether / wish to draw
backl"
"Heresaid he, are four guineas, which
1 will stake on your wager"
No sooner had he made this PROPOSE
ton than the rest of the company, at
tracted by the singularity of the affair,
came forward to lay down their money;
and in a minute or two the fifty guineas
were subscribed. The merchant ap-
peared SO sure of winning that he plac
ed all the stakes in the students hands,
and prepared for his experiment. We
selected for the purpose, small sum-
mer-house in the garden, perfectly iso-
lated, and having no means Of ext but
a window and door, which we carefully
fastened, after placing the young man
wlthia. We put writing materials on a
small table in the summer-house and
took away the candles We remained
outside with the pedler amongst us. In
low solemn voice be began to chaunt
the following lines: